Govt: Enforce lockdown rules strictly

Govt: Enforce lockdown rules strictly

TN Orders Checks To Prevent O2 Wastage

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:10.05.2021 

The Tamil Nadu cabinet headed by chief minister M K Stalin in its first meeting on Sunday stressed on strict Covid-19 containment measures to rein in the virus.

With increasing number of Covid fatalities and a high test positivity rate, the new government was forced to impose a state-wide lockdown for 15 days starting from Monday. The meeting’s focus centred around the measures to be implemented to bring the pandemic under control.

Chief minister Stalin advised his cabinet colleagues to station themselves in the districts allotted to them and ensure proper implementation of Covid-related work during lockdown.

The cabinet meeting resolved that unless the total lockdown is strictly implemented, the state would not succeed in containing the spread of the raging pandemic.

All ministers have been directed to ensure that patients arriving at district hospitals are treated without delay. Besides ensuring healthcare facilities, the cabinet resolved to provide adequate food to healthcare workers and patients.

Noting that oxygen is being made available with great difficulty to government and private hospitals, the cabinet resolved to ensure proper supply of oxygen to all hospitals and directed ministers and officials to prevent wastage of oxygen at any cost.

On Remdesivir, the cabinet said that authorities should prevent its sale in the black market.

The cabinet also appealed to all people in eligible age groups to get vaccinated as soon as possible. To ensure this, awareness should be created among people about vaccination in all districts.

The cabinet meeting also highlighted the need for coordination among various departments, including healthcare, revenue, police, urban and rural developments, to ensure proper implementation of all Covid-related measures. The chief minister directed all the ministers to ensure such a coordination among various departments and conduct review meetings for proper implementation of the government initiatives, according to a state government release.

ON THE JOB: Health officials screen a person at Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital in Chennai on Sunday, a day ahead of the lockdown

Purpose of RTI Act is to provide info in time-bound manner: HC

Purpose of RTI Act is to provide info in time-bound manner: HC

Vasantha.Kumar@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:09.05.2021

The purpose and intent of the Right to Information (RTI) Act is not only to provide information sought for, but also to do it in a time-bound manner; any delay defeats the same. The high court made this observation while imposing a maximum penalty of Rs 25,000 on the tahsildar of Bengaluru North taluk for failing to provide information sought under the law.

“Undue delay, as in the present case where the application has been transferred after 17 months, is inexcusable. Further, there is no explanation offered by the tahsildar either before the appellate authority or this court,” Justice Suraj Govindaraj said in his order.

On May 8, 2018, the tahsildar had transferred the application seeking information to the office of Assistant Director of Land Records (ADLR), Bengaluru North taluk. The application was submitted to his office on December 16, 2016 by petitioner M Kishore Rao, a resident of Bengaluru, seeking information about certain lands.

Rao moved the high court after the Karnataka Information Commission passed an order on February 27, 2019 to close the proceedings after recording that the tahsildar had remitted Rs 5,000 penalty.

Rao claimed the tahsildar transferred his application to ADLR just before his appeal was to be heard by KIC, and there was a delay of 535 days in that process. He contended that KIC’s imposition of Rs 5,000 penalty is not in terms with section 20 of the RTI Act, which requires penalty of Rs 250 per day, subject to a maximum of Rs 25,000. Agreeing with the contention, Justice Govindaraj pointed out that if penalty is calculated at the rate of Rs 250 per day, it would shoot up to Rs 1,29,000 and since section 20 puts a maximum ceiling of Rs 25,000, the tahsildar needs to pay that amount.

No insurance cover for person sitting on tractor’s wheels, says high court

No insurance cover for person sitting on tractor’s wheels, says high court

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:09.05.2021

The liability of a person sitting on the mudguard of a tractor is not required to be covered by a statutory insurance policy as contemplated by section 147(1) of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, a three-judge, full bench of the high court headed by chief justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka observed while deciding a referred matter pertaining to a batch of motor accident claim cases.

Referring to the dictum of the Supreme Court in the Shivaraj case, the bench noted the top court has clearly held that a tractor could lawfully accommodate only one person, namely, the driver, and that the insurer was not liable to indemnify the tractor owner for liability of a passenger travelling in it.

It added the liability of a person working either on ploughing or crushing machines attached to the tractor and who is travelling on the mudguard is not required to be covered by the statutory insurance under section 147(1).

Regarding another referred question, the full bench said a ploughing or a crushing machine attached to a tractor is not a trailer. “Every instrument, including ploughing or crushing machine, attached to a tractor will not necessarily be a trailer. At most, it can be a semi-trailer. Even assuming that the said two categories of equipment are semi-trailers, they are not the motor vehicle covered by section 2 (28) of MV Act. Since a semi-trailer is not a motor vehicle, provisions of section 147 will not apply to it,” the bench observed while disposing of the reference made by a single bench.

While disposing of a miscellaneous first appeal, cross objections and appeals, the single judge was of the view that since there are conflicting decisions rendered by co-ordinate benches,the questions are required to be referred to a larger bench.

Now, in view of these findings, all pending appeals and cross-objections arising out of this group of appeals will have to be placed before the benches concerned having roster for consideration and disposal.

This Covid-19 hospital was set up by chance

This Covid-19 hospital was set up by chance

In The Second Report On Projects That Await New Chief Minister M K Stalin’s Attention, We Highlight A Hospital That’s Doing Well But Deserves More Care

RaguRaman@timesgroup.com

09.05.2021

The Omandurar multi super speciality hospital and medical college, which is playing a stellar role in the ongoing war on Covid, came into being as part of one-upmanship between J Jayalalithaa of the AIADMK and M Karunanidhi of the DMK. He built it as the new seat of government — a legislaturecum-secretariat complex. She turned it into a hospital.

Their disagreement on the issue started when Jayalalithaa wanted to build a new government headquarters overlooking the Bay of Bengal after razing Queen Mary’s College. The DMK opposed this and there was a public outcry. So she got the Anna University to hand over land at Kotturpuram for a new secretariat. When the DMK came to power in 2006, it returned the land.

Karunanidhi as chief minister built a new legislative assembly-cum-secretariat complex at the Omandurar government estate and moved the assembly there from Fort St George. When Jayalalithaa returned to power in 2011, she took the government back to Fort St George. She converted the new complex at Omandurar into the present super-speciality hospital and medical college.

Both the titans have since passed from the scene. Now M K Stalin has been elected chief minister and he has a 550-bed Covid hospital in the heart of the city that he can improve on. This is Stalin’s chance to chart his own path without being weighed down by old antagonisms.

According to DMK party sources, the state government has not made any decision to reconvert it as an assembly and secretariat complex. “There is absolutely no discussion about it at the moment,” a source said.

Medical experts and bureaucrats feel it is better not only to retain the hospital there, but also to expand it in view of the pandemic. Experts said the previous government spent more than ₹100 crore on converting the assembly complex into a super-speciality hospital. “Converting this again into a secretariat complex will result in huge loss to the public exchequer,” said Dr Edwin Joe, former director of medical education.

The Omandurar hospital has high-end equipment for cancer treatment. It is the only hospital in the state to have a nuclear medicine department.

“Though a majority of the beneficiaries have been poor, middle-class and upper middleclass also are frequenting to the hospital due to the new building and facilities available here,” Dr Joe said.

Dr G R Ravindranath, general secretary of Doctors Association for Social Equality, said the building was not originally meant for a hospital and medical college. “To prevent waste of public money, it should be allowed to function as a hospital,” he said.

On expanding the facilities, Indian Medical Association national president Dr J A Jayalal said, “The hospital can be expanded to have all superspecialities under one roof. They can also add infrastructure for pandemic-related research.”

Covid patients losing vision due to fungus

Covid patients losing vision due to fungus

09.05.2021

Acknowledging a “new epidemic” arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic, officials said at least eight people across Maharashtra had lost vision in an eye due to mucormycosis, a fungal infection being detected in a growing number of post-Covid patients. “Eight out of 200 patients treated for mucormycosis have lost vision in at least one eye,” doctors said.

DRDO rejigs cancer drug to fight Covid; DCGI gives nod

DRDO rejigs cancer drug to fight Covid; DCGI gives nod

Swati.Bharadwaj@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:09.05.2021

A potential cancer drug — 2-deoxy-Dglucose (2-DG) — that has been repurposed for Covid-19, has received Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) nod for emergency use as adjunct therapy for moderate to severe hospitalised Covid-19 patients.

The anti-Covid-19 application has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with pharma major Dr Reddy’s Laboratories.

The drug, which comes in a powder form, must be taken orally by dissolving it in water. It works by accumulating in the virus infected cells and prevents growth of the virus by stopping viral synthesis and energy production.

According to DRDO, the results of clinical trials on Covid-19 patients showed that 2-DG helps in faster recovery of hospitalised patients and reduces their dependence on supplemental oxygen. “It’s the selective accumulation in virally infected cells that makes this drug unique. Higher proportion of patients treated with 2-DG showed RT-PCR negative conversion in Covid-19 patients,” it said.

Being a generic molecule and an analogue of (similar to) glucose, it can be easily produced and made available in plenty in the country, INMAS-DRDO added.

The drug, which is an inhibitor of glucose transport and glycolysis, was originally being developed for cancer as it cuts the supply of glucose molecules to cancer cells, which require higher glucose than normal cells to survive, thereby killing them.

Full report on www.toi-.in

IN HONOUR: Urns containing ashes of Covid-19 victims tied on a sacred fig tree as part of a ritual in Kanpur on Saturday

4L cases for 4th day, 2nd wave may be peaking

4L cases for 4th day, 2nd wave may be peaking

Amit.Bhattacharya@timesgroup.com

09.05.2021

Even as India recorded more than four lakh fresh Covid cases for the fourth day running on Saturday and over 4,000 deaths for the second consecutive day, there were early signs in the data that the devastating second wave in the country could be reaching its peak.

For the first time since the beginning of the second wave in mid-February, the seven-day rolling average of daily cases dipped on Friday. The dip was negligible, just a drop of 118 cases out of the day’s total average of more than 3.9 lakh. But it indicated a distinct slowing down in the growth of daily cases over the past week.

The seven-day average stood at 3,91,263 on Saturday, having risen by 20,117 in the past week. The slowdown was evident when one compared this with a growth of 61,173 cases in the previous seven days (April 24-May 1), and a rise of 1,06,024 in the week before (April 17-24). While the curve is bending, the trend needs to continue into the next week before a more definitive statement can be made about the country having reached the peak of the second wave.

Active Covid cases stood at over 37.8 lakh on Saturday

There were several uncertainties around that. For one, the positivity rate in the country was still high and increasing. India recorded a positivity rate of 22% the past three days, up from 21% recorded on the same three days last week. Cases were still surging in several states of the country, led by Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in the south, Assam and Bengal in the east and Uttarakhand, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and J&K in the north.

Besides, the growth in cases remained higher than the national average in states such as Rajasthan and Bihar.

On the positive side, Maharashtra was showing a drop in weekly cases while there was a distinct slowdown in other big Covidhit states such as Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

On Saturday, India recorded 4,01,012 fresh cases. This was the fourth straight day of 4-lakh-plus daily infections in the country. However, the numbers have declined marginally over the past two days after hitting a peak of 4,14,554 on Thursday.

Deaths continued to surge with 4,135 fatalities reported on Saturday, nearly as high as the previous day’s record toll of 4,187. Active cases in the country continued to rise, although the growth rate had slowed over the past week. On Saturday, the count of active cases stood at over 37.8 lakh.

TN shuts for 15 days as cases spike, hosps run out of beds

TN shuts for 15 days as cases spike, hosps run out of beds

All Shops To Remain Open Till 9pm Today

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.05.2021

As Covid-19 cases crossed 27,000 a day and an overstretched healthcare sector struggled to handle the growing number of patients, the state government on Saturday announced a complete lockdown across Tamil Nadu from 4am on May 10 to 4am on May 24. Chief minister M K Stalin said that more than 23 districts in TN had reported a positivity rate of more than10%.

On Saturday, nearly 86% of oxygen beds and 87% of ICU beds across the state were occupied. In high incidence districts such as Chennai, 99% of beds in ICUs and 96% oxygen beds were full. In districts like Dharmapuri, Tirupur, Tiruvallur and Ranipet there were no ICU beds.

Puducherry, too, on Saturday imposed a two-week lockdown starting May 10. Several states, including Kerala, Karnataka and New Delhi, have announced varying degrees of lockdown.

“In view of the impending total lockdown, the government has allowed all shops and establishments to operate for two days, May 8 and 9 (Saturday and Sunday), between 6am and 9pm,” the CM said.

IN TUNE: RPF organised a flash mob at MGR Central on Saturday as part of a Covid-19 awareness drive

Lockdown: Carry IDs if commuting to work

The decision has been taken following the views expressed by collectors, medical experts and recommendations of the Union government. The number of active cases in the state has crossed 1.35 lakh — a sharp increase compared to the same period in March. All government offices, except essential departments like secretariat, medical and family welfare, revenue, police, electricity and drinking water supply, will remain closed. Central government offices, autonomous/subordinate offices and public corporations will also remain closed. All private offices, IT and ITES establishments too will remain shut and so will industries other than exempted ones.

In a statement, AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam said the total lockdown would be of great help to contain the spread. “I welcome the government’s decision to continue Amma canteens and shut Tasmac outlets,” he said. The AIADMK leader said the government could increase mini clinics and allow them to function 24 hours by engaging temporary doctors to reduce the burden on government hospitals. He also urged the state to extend incentives to health workers. PMK leader S Anbumani Ramadoss suggested the government could waive off power bills for two months. AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran demanded that the government provide free food thrice a day in Amma canteens.

The permitted activities during the lockdown include supply of milk, newspapers, courier service, hospitals, medical labs, pharmacies, ambulance, hearse and allied medical activities, goods vehicles, vehicles carrying agricultural produce, oxygen and fuel. Shops selling fertilisers, pesticides, seeds and fodder outlets will be allowed to function between 6am and noon. Takeaway service will be permitted in restaurants, hotels, bakeries and mess between 6am and 10am, noon and 3pm and 6pm and 9pm. Ecommerce activities will be allowed only during this permitted time. Roadside eateries cannot open for business.

Pavement vendors selling vegetables and fruits will be permitted till noon. PDS outlets will function between 8am and noon. Volunteers and caregivers attending to people with special needs and elderly citizens will be allowed to travel with ID cards and permission letters issued by employers. Judiciary and courts, ongoing construction activities and media will be allowed. The government has already permitted continuous process industries and industries manufacturing essential commodities. The staff/ workers will be allowed to travel either in company vehicles or own vehicles with display of ID cards. There is no bar on conducting wedding ceremonies with a maximum of 50 people. For funeral and performance of last rites, there is a cap of 20 people.

Maintenance and other critical IT infrastructure needed for medical, financial, transport and other critical services will be permitted. Banks, ATMs, and insurance services will be allowed with 50% workforce.

₹2,000 Covid relief to be distributed from May 15

₹2,000 Covid relief to be distributed from May 15

Shanmughasundaram.J@timesgroup.com

Chennai:09.05.2021

The Tamil Nadu government will start distribution of ₹2,000 as the first instalment of Covid-19 relief to ration cardholders on May 15. To facilitate cash distribution, the government will first distribute tokens to 2.07 crore ration cardholders starting from May 10.

After assuming charge as the chief minister of the state, M K Stalin had issued an order to give Covid financial aid to ration cardholders. He had also slashed Aavin milk price by ₹3 per litre and announced free travel for women in town and city buses.

As regards distribution of financial aid, the salesmen and helpers at ration shops would first distribute the tokens at the cardholders’ doorstep. It would commence on Monday and would be completed in three days. “We will distribute the financial aid from May 15. A total of 2.07 crore families will benefit,” commissioner of Tamil Nadu civil supplies corporation limited Sajjan Singh R Chavan told TOI.

The authorities are taking efforts to disburse the aid in a seamless manner and avoid gathering of cardholders at the ration shops. The tokens have been printed. Details such as ration shop number, name of the cardholder, name of village/street, date and time of distribution will have to be filled in. “The cardholders will be told to visit the shop to collect the cash at the given date and time. Crowding will be avoided. We have instructed the staff at each shop to follow safety measures and maintain social distancing while distributing money,” Chavan added.

Chief minister M K Stalin, in a video message on Saturday, said the ₹2,000 would be the first instalment of the ₹4,000 Covid aid promised by his party before the polls. It would be helpful to the people when the state is going for 14 days lockdown from May 10.

Workers will distribute tokens to eligible ration card holders from Monday and date, time to receive cash will be sent to the beneficiaries to avoid crowding

SHRC awards ₹25,000 to woman who had needle stuck inside

SHRC awards ₹25,000 to woman who had needle stuck inside

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.05.2021

State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has awarded ₹25,000 compensation to a woman who had a needle stuck inside her due to the negligence of medical staff at a Primary Health Centre in Ramanathapuram district. A nurse, while suturing a wound after the woman delivered a girl child, accidentally slipped the needle, which had to be removed later after another surgery.

The commission took suo motu note of the incident based based on media reports. According to the reports, K Ramya was admitted to the Primary Health Centre at Uchipuli in Ramanathapuram district.

A broken needle which got struck inside the 22 year old woman’s stomach after she delivered a baby was removed. However, angry relatives of the woman gathered outside the health centre and demanded action against the medical officers citing medical negligence, according to the news report. The incident happened in November 2019.

The commission then sought for a detailed report from the Director of Public health and a report was submitted in January 2020.

According to the report, a six-member committee conducted an investigation in the matter. According to the report, after delivering the child, the nurse was suturing the episotomy wound with a needle, when the suture material slipped and got struck in the wound. Staff nurse continued the suture using another needle and the wound was closed.

Later in the night, when the duty medical officer attended the patient, her vitals were stable after which the nurse informed of the mistake. Next day, an X-Ray was taken and presence of a foreign particle was confirmed. The patient was then referred to the government hospital in Ramanathapuram where another surgery was conducted to remove the needle. According to the report, the medical staff at the PHC were negligent in their duty, the commission noted.

Air fares soar high as demand rises ahead of lockdown

Air fares soar high as demand rises ahead of lockdown

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.05.2021

The total lockdown announced by the state government from Monday has triggered a sudden demand for flights, trains and buses as people, including guest workers, scrambled to return home. Air fares shot up while private omni buses started overcharging passengers leaving Chennai. For instance, a one-way trip to Nagercoil cost around ₹3,000 on Saturday.

The traffic was two-way for flights as people were booking to leave the city and, reach the city before the lockdown kicked in. Air fares shot up on several routes including Kolkata, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur for travel on Sunday as demand was high. A Chennai-Guwahati ticket was priced at Rs14,000, Delhi at ₹7,000 to ₹12,000, and Ahmedabad at ₹7,000 to ₹10,000. Fares to reach the city from different parts of the country were similar.

Airlines have reduced the number of departures to 43 on Saturday. "There is demand for flights as people want to return homebeforeMonday and many who are away in other states want to reach Chennai as it will be difficult to travel when shutdown begins on Monday," said an airport official. Airlines may cancel more flights in the coming days because people will not travel during the total lockdown, he added.

Chennai mofussil bus terminus and omni bus terminus at Koyambedu saw a huge crowd of people returning home to neighbouring districts and to southern districts on Saturday. Transport Minister RS Raja Kannappan said that a fine of Rs10,000 would be collected for selling bus tickets at a higher price than usual and buses would be impounded by the nearest police station.

To clear the anticipated rush, the state transport authority had operated additionalspecialbusestosouthernand western districts on Saturday night and Sunday round the clock.

S Rly cancels 50 trains until month-end

S Rly cancels 50 trains until month-end

Chennai:09.05.2021

Southern Railway has cancelled 28 trains within the state and 22 inter-state trains till the end of the month due to poor occupancy.

The cancelled trainsintrastate are: 

Egmore-Karaikudi from May 8 to 31, 

Karaikudi-Egmore from May 9 to June 1, 

Egmore-Madurai and Madurai-Egmore from May 8 to 31, 

Egmore-Madurai from May 9 to June 1, 

Madurai-Egmore from May 8 to 31, 

Egmore-Trichy from May 9 to June 1, 

Trichy-Egmore from May 8 to 31, 

Egmore-Madurai from May 14 to 30,

 Madurai-Egmore from May 13 to 29, 

Chennai Central-Erode from May 8 to 31, 

Erode-Central from May 8 to 31,

 Central-Coimbatore from May 8 to 31, 

Coimbatore-Central from May 8 to 31, 

Central-Madurai from May 10 to 28, 

Madurai-Central from May 11 to 30, 

Egmore-Nagercoil from May13 to 27, 

Nagercoil-Egmore on Fridays from May14 to 28, 

Tambaram-Nagercoil from May 8 to 31, 

Nagercoil-Egmore from May 9 to June 1, 

Central-Jolarpet from May 8 to 31, 

Jolarpet-Central from May 9 to June 1, 

Tambaram-Nagercoil from May 9 to 31, 

Nagercoil- Tambaram from May10 to June1.

The inter-state trains are: 

Central-Trivandrum, Trivandrum-Central from May 8 to 1, 

Tirunelveli-Palakkad from May 8 to June 1, 

Trichy-Palakkad Town from May 8 to June 1, 

Central-KSR Bangalore from May 8 to 31, 

Central-Mangalore from May 9 to June 1, 

Nagercoil-Mangalore from May 9 to June1, 

Egmore-Puducherry from May 8 to 31, 

Central-Tirupati from May 8 to 31, 

Central-Nizamuddin from May15 to 29, 

Nizamuddin-Central on Mondays from May 17 to 31. TNN

Govt to consider free bus travel for transgenders

Govt to consider free bus travel for transgenders

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.05.2021

A day after the newly elected DMK government announced free travel for women in ordinary (whiteboard) town buses, chief minister M K Stalin said his government would consider extending the scheme to cover transgenders. The chief minister responded to a tweet by a journalist requesting him to include transgenders in the scheme as many from the community struggle financially.

Stalin, in his response to the tweet, said the DMK has always been considerate towards the welfare of transgenders and that they would take a decision on the matter at the earliest. His response was lauded by members from the transgender community, who said providing free travel would make it easier for them to travel long distances for work and work-related opportunities.

Jaya, general manager of trans rights NGO Sahodaran, was confident of a positive decision from the government. “The DMK was a pioneer in implementing welfare projects for transgenders, we are sure they will implement this scheme too,” she said.

Grace Banu, a trans activist and founder of the Trans Rights Now Collective, said it is important to include transgenders in this scheme during the pandemic as many do not have jobs and are struggling with little financial aid. “This could be the first and positive step to help the community,” she said.

A journey of 70 km to get vaccine

A journey of 70 km to get vaccine

09/05/2021

M. Soundariya Preetha Coimbatore

For 47-year-old Raghu (name changed on request) a resident of Tiruppur district, taking the first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine turned out to be challenging, as private hospitals had run out of stocks and there was a rush at the Tiruppur Government Hospital.

Since Raghu has to often travel on work to other districts and did not want to take a risk with his health, based on a suggestion from a relative, he decided to try getting the vaccine at a rural primary health centre.

He decided to drive down to a rural areas.

He stopped at a PHC near Dharapuram, over 70 km from Tiruppur. There was no one there except the doctor and a healthcare worker and vaccines were available. He gave his Aadhaar card, registered and got his first dose.

Many like Raghu in Coimbatore and Tiruppur are travelling to villages for the vaccine, mainly due to lack of availability in some towns and to get vaccinated at a centre where there is no crowd.

Some large companies are enquiring in different locations where they have plants, for the vaccine, for their employees.

Vaccine shortage

However, this trend worked only for a week or 10 days when vaccination was opened for those aged above 45. Now, people face problems of crowding and vaccine shortage in rural areas too, says a textile sector entrepreneur in Coimbatore.

In some of the PHCs and hospitals located close to the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border in Coimbatore, many are coming in from the border areas of both States to take the vaccines.

“There is a huge rush and people who come for a short visit get restless when they are told that there is no vaccine stock as they have waited for hours,” says the doctor at a hospital.

Hospital asks patient to get ventilator

Hospital asks patient to get ventilator

09/05/2021

Vignesh VijayakumarSALEM

A private hospital in Salem allegedly asked a COVID-19 patient to get a ventilator.

A 40-year-old man, working as marketing executive, was admitted to a hospital at Kondalampatti in early May.

The hospital, which was running short of beds, allegedly asked the kin of the patient to get a ventilator for further treatment. The attendants of the patient were unaware that it would not be possible to get ventilators in the open market.

Health officials said that action would be taken against the hospital.

Apollo Hospitals starts vaccination for those above 18 years

Apollo Hospitals starts vaccination for those above 18 years

09/05/2021

Staff Reporter Madurai

Apollo Speciality Hospitals in Madurai has started the third phase of vaccination for citizens aged above 18 years.

A press release from the Chief Operating Officer of Apollo Hospitals Rohini Sridhar said that the beneficiaries are required to register on the CoWIN app or Aarogya Setu app to book their appointment slot before arriving for the vaccination.

In the second wave of infections, more younger patients were getting affected and thus vaccinating everyone aged above 18 was an important precautionary measure. Till now, around 3,000 persons aged 45 and above have been vaccinated in the hospital, added the press release.

How are you monitoring private hosp treatment fee, HC asks govt -

How are you monitoring private hosp treatment fee, HC asks govt -

 The Times Of India

K.Kaushik@timesgroup.com

Madurai:

08.05.2021

The Madras high court on Thursday sought a response from the state government on the mechanism put in place to monitor strict implementation of government orders to allocate 50% of the beds in private hospitals for Covid care, and as to whether the hospitals were following the treatment cost fixed by the government.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by A Veronica Mary of Madurai district, who sought the government to ensure strict implementation of treatment costs fixed by the government and sought action against hospitals that charged more. Veronica also sought the government to strictly implement a GO dated April 30, that asked all private hospitals to allocate 50% beds for treatment of Covid-19 patients.

A division bench of justices M S Ramesh and B Pugalendhi observed that the grievance of the petitioner is that though the government has fixed treatment cost, it is not followed by the private hospitals. “This court appreciates the valuable services rendered by doctors, nurses, all health workers and all other frontline workers during this pandemic. At the same time, the receipt placed before this court shows that exorbitant charges have been collected by some hospitals even during this difficult time, which cannot be permitted. The hospitals are taking advantage of the situation,” observed the judges.

The judges sought a response from the state to the following queries: Whether the maximum cost for Covid-19 treatment fixed by the government is displayed prominently in all hospitals so the public can see it, and the details of the authority to whom any complaint regarding exorbitant charges can be lodged.

The judges asked what the penal provision or penalty contemplated for violation of the GO was and which authority was monitoring the implementation of the GOs. It also asked about the number of complaints received about exorbitant treatment costs and details of the action taken, if any.

The court asked the state to inform it about the maintenance of a portal on bed availability in private hospitals along with their treatment charges. The judges sought details of Covid-19 patients who have benefited from the chief minister’s comprehensive health insurance scheme at private hospitals and whether government employees are entitled to take treatment for Covid-19 in such hospitals under the Tamil Nadu employees health insurance scheme.

Police to strictly enforce stay-at-home orders

Police to strictly enforce stay-at-home orders

Inessential travel banned, helpline 112 to assist citizens

08/05/2021

Special Correspondent Thiruvananthapuram

The police will strictly impose stay-at-home orders in the State from May 8 to May 16 to curb the rise in COVID-19 cases.

The police are poised to prioritise strict enforcement of lockdown restrictions over personal liberty during the nine-day lockdown period. They have set up a helpline (112) to rush aid to citizens in crisis.

Inessential travel is banned. There will be no public transport.

People should shun long walks, sporting activities, and exercise at home.

There is no restriction on going to vaccination centres or hospitals. However, they should carry the necessary papers. Taxis and auto-rickshaws should ferry only emergency travellers and air and rail passengers. The passengers should carry identity cards and travel documents.

People should wear two masks outdoors and confine shopping to neighbourhood stores. Persons who strayed a good way from their homes without reasonable cause risk detention and fine. The police will stop and question people, including pedestrians and motorists, randomly. They will set up checkpoints at inter-district borders.

Traditional fishers and hawkers can ply their trade.

Shops selling food, groceries, fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, and bakeries can remain open till 7.30 p.m. Places of worship will remain closed. Not more than 20 persons should attend weddings.

Urgent steps needed to increase beds:

Urgent steps needed to increase beds:

Stalin

‘Be open in sharing details with us’

08/05/2021

Special CorrespondentCHENNAI

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said on Friday that his government had to take measures on a war footing to increase the number of beds and check the spread of COVID-19. He asked officials to ramp up bed capacity and the availability of oxygen and medicines.

At his first meeting with the Collectors, police officers and medical experts, he said experts projected that cases in the State, which now averaged 25,000 a day, were likely to go up in the next couple of weeks. “Only if the spread of the virus is contained, will we be able to reduce the number of deaths and the load on medical infrastructure. Our government has come to power at a time when we are facing severe challenges, and we have a responsibility to protect the lives and livelihood of the Tamil people,” he said.

The Chief Minister said he had a responsibility to support the officials fighting the pandemic. Doctors, nurses and other medical professionals were working hard to save lives. “Chennai city, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli are seeing a high case load. This has to be controlled; only then will the number of deaths come down. Officials working in these areas must work diligently and ramp up medical infrastructure,” he said.

Mr. Stalin also asked the officials to increase the rate of vaccination, especially in these districts. He advised those aged above 45, who were at an increased risk of hospitalisation and death, to come forward and get themselves vaccinated.

He advised officials to make sure that all details were shared with the government so that issues could be resolved. “Be transparent in sharing information about needs, shortcomings, what the government needs to do. Only if we face the truth, we can find solutions to issues,” he said.

Rush at usury dens

Rush at usury dens

08/05/2021

Ms. Jyothi is not alone in being faced with a financial crisis due to the pandemic, which has hit several thousand families. For these desperate families, who have no other source, gold has become the mythical Sanjeevani (panacea) to raise the much-needed funds for medical treatment.

Similar is the story of Yalamanchili Ramu (name changed) from Gayathri Hill who sold 30 tola (one tola equals 10 grams) of family jewellery for the treatment of his mother, daughter and himself who were admitted to a corporate hospital in Secunderabad. After a week, Ramu ran out of cash and had no other option but to dispose of the gold. “Selling land is a long process and gold has come to the rescue of my family. We paid more than ₹10 lakh for treatment of three persons,” he said.

Enquiries with pawnbrokers and gold loan companies reveal there is a steady footfall of desperate people to pledge their gold ornaments. “Yes, for the past one month there is a steady increase of people who are pledging gold ornaments for treatment. When they say they want money for treatment, I’m giving money at a very low rate of interest,” said a jeweller from Secunderabad

Irai Anbu made Chief Secretary; 4 Secretaries to assist CM

Irai Anbu made Chief Secretary; 4 Secretaries to assist CM

Shilpa Satish to handle grievance redressal system

08/05/2021

V. Irai AnbuHANDOUT_E_MAIL

T. UdhayachandranJOTHI RAMALINGAM B

P. UmanathJOTHI RAMALINGAM B

M.S. ShanmugamHANDOUT_E_MAIL

Anu GeorgeRAGHUNATHAN SR

Dennis S. Jesudasan CHENNAI

On its first day in office on Friday, the DMK government named senior IAS officer V. Irai Anbu as its Chief Secretary, replacing incumbent Rajeev Ranjan. It also named four IAS officers — T. Udhayachandran, P. Umanath, M.S. Shanmugam and Anu George as Secretaries I, II, III and IV respectively to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

The State government also appointed IAS officer Shilpa Prabhakar Satish to head the grievance redressal system that will look into petitions received during the election tour undertaken by Mr. Stalin.

Mr. Anbu, a 1988-batch officer, was until recently, the Director of the Anna Institute of Management, a State-run institution to encourage youngsters to take up a career in civil services. Known in IAS circles for being honest, simple and a lover of books, Mr. Anbu has authored several books. He holds two doctorates — one in management concepts found in Thirukkural and one on the comparison between Thiruvalluvar and Shakespeare.

While in Madurai, he contributed a weekly series, ‘Random thoughts’ in The Hindu Metro Plus, which was also brought out as a special publication with three reprints.

Soon after he received the S.P. Adithanar Literary Award from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Tamil daily Dina Thanthi in November 2017, Mr. Anbu donated the cash prize of ₹2 lakh to the Adi Dravidar Hostel for Men in Mylapore. He has been Collector in many districts and the Commissioner of Economics and Statistics, and is known for efforts in boosting tourism in the State.

Mr. Udhayachandran, who was until recently the Commissioner of Archaeology, is known for his genuine interest in Tamil literature, history and archaeology. It was during his tenure as Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission that it incorporated technology into conducting exams for candidates.

As Madurai Collector, the 1995-batch officer was credited for his efforts to successfully conduct local body polls after a decade in Pappapatti, Keeripatti and Nattarmangalam village panchayats, where caste Hindus had refused to accept Dalits being elected as panchayat presidents.

Helping fight COVID-19

Mr. Umanath, who was the Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC), is credited for efficiently planning ahead for building the oxygen capacity in hospitals and getting testing kits and drugs in time to help combat COVID-19 better. He was also the Coimbatore Collector when the erstwhile DMK government held the World Classical Tamil Conference in 2010.

Mr. Shanmugam was posted as the Director of Museums. During his stint as the Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu FibreNet Corporation Limited, he refused to allow political interference in his functioning.

As Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board, he ensured that law and order problems in the Perumbakkam tenements were resolved.

An alumna of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Ms. George was the Collector of Ariyalur district and the Joint Secretary (Protocol) in the Public Department during the AIADMK regime under then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. Ms. George has also served as the Commissioner and Director of Industries and Commerce.

Ms. Satish was earlier Tirunelveli Collector and was in the news when she chose a government-run anganwadi for her child. She has worked as Deputy Commissioner (Education), Greater Chennai Corporation.

Doctors exhausted

Doctors exhausted

08/05/2021

Special Correspondent Virudhunagar

Continuous work without adequate break unlike given in the first wave of COVID in 2020 has created a sense of desperation among doctors.

“Besides treating patients continuously by putting our lives at risk, we are forced to face the angry public who shout at us for lack of adequate doses of vaccines,” a senior medical officer of a Government Hospital said.

The State government could have recognised their services with an incentive for fight against the COVID at least during the peak period.

“An incentive for a couple of months will keep the fighting spirit of the medical officers and paramedical staff high to continuously work in the COVID wards,” he added.

The doctors were demoralised as no hotel accommodation and food were given to them for the quarantine period as in 2020.

The hotel accommodation helped to quarantine themselves after a week of duty in COVID-19 ward for a few days before going back home. “Now, we are putting the lives of our family members in danger,” the officer said.

Earlier, a RT-PCR test negative report was made mandatory for doctors and other health staff to go home after quarantine. “But now, in the absence of hotel accommodation and mandatory RT-PCR test, the doctors walk straight into their homes from the COVID-19 wards,” said Virudhunagar district secretary of Tamil Nadu Government Employees’ Association, R. Varaivan.

Doctors complain that a judicious deployment of doctors with due rotation in COVID ward and in non-COVID duty will help medical officers and paramedical staff fight fatigue.

“The district administration has called for recruitment of doctors and paramedical staff to be employed on contract basis. We will have to wait for more time to get a break,” the officer said.

Irai Anbu to fine tune TN administration?

Irai Anbu to fine tune TN administration?

Anbu has also served as the coordinator for all committees during the eighth World Tamil Conference at Thanjavur in 1995.

Published: 08th May 2021 04:42 AM 

IAS officer V Irai Anbu who assumed charge as the new Chief Secretary, on Friday paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister MK Stalin at the secretariat

By T Muruganandham

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Senior IAS officer V Irai Anbu (58), a multi-faceted personality, who has authored many books on self improvement, and a motivational speaker, assumed charge as the new Chief Secretary to the Tamil Nadu government on Friday. As a strict disciplinarian and an officer known for his integrity and straightforwardness, Anbu is expected to fine tune the State administration.

Anbu superseded 12 Chief Secretary-grade IAS officers under the government to the post. He was promoted to the grade on February 27, 2019. After his appointment to the top post, Irai Anbu called on Chief Minister MK Stalin at the secretariat and presented his book Vaiya Thalaimaikol to the latter.

Born on June 16, 1963 in Salem district, Irai Anbu holds multiple degrees and doctorates in the fields of agriculture, literature, psychology, administration, etc. When he took the civil services examination for the first time in 1980s, he secured 227th rank. In his second attempt, he got 15th place at the national level. His elder brother V Thiruppugazh is also an IAS officer, who is famous for his significant works in Gujarat.

When he was the Assistant Collector in Nagapattinam district, he played an important role in flood relief works. During his tenure as the Additional Collector in Cuddalore, Anbu took steps to provide skill development training to inmates of the district central prison. He also took steps to provide houses for Narikuravas under the district decentralisation plan in erstwhile South Arcot district.

Anbu has also served as the coordinator for all committees during the eighth World Tamil Conference at Thanjavur in 1995. During his stint in the Information Department, he brought in many transformations. One among them was hosting the G.Os of the government departments in time on the website and making them available to the press. The departments he served in the State government include economics and statistics, pollution control board, environment, tourism, etc.

Kalloori Kaalangal

Anbu had earlier conducted Kalloori Kaalangal programme in Podhigai TV channel which ran for many hundred episodes and attracted youth

தன்னுடைய இடமாற்றத்திற்கு தானே கையெழுத்திட்ட ராஜீவ் ரஞ்சன்

தன்னுடைய இடமாற்றத்திற்கு தானே கையெழுத்திட்ட ராஜீவ் ரஞ்சன்

Updated : மே 08, 2021 02:23 | Added : மே 08, 2021 02:22 

சென்னை : தமிழகத்தின் புதிய தலைமை செயலாளராக வெ. இறையன்பு நியமனத்தையொட்டி, பணியிடமாற்றம் செய்யப்பட்ட ராஜீவ் ரஞ்சன், தன்னுடைய இடமாற்றத்திற்கான உத்தரவில் தானே கையெழுத்திட்டுள்ளார்.

தமிழகத்தில் நடந்த சட்டசபை தேர்தலில் திமுக தனிப்பெரும்பான்மையுடன் வெற்றி பெற்று ஆட்சியமைத்துள்ளது. திமுக தலைவர் ஸ்டாலின் நேற்று (மே.,7) தமிழக முதல்வராக பதவியேற்றுக் கொண்டார். பல்வேறு துறைகளுக்கான அமைச்சர்களுக்கும் பதவியேற்றுக்கொண்டனர். தமிழகத்தின் தலைமை செயலாளராக இருந்த ராஜீவ் ரஞ்சன், தமிழ்நாடு செய்தித்தாள் கழகத்திற்கு இடமாற்றம் செய்யப்பட்டார். அவருக்கு பதிலாக புதிய தலைமை செயலாளராக வெ.இறையன்பு நியமனம் செய்யப்பட்டார்.

அரசு விதிமுறைப்படி, ஐ.ஏ.எஸ்., அதிகாரிகளை தலைமை செயலாளர் தான் மாற்ற முடியும். எனவே புதிய தலைமை செயலாளருக்கான உத்தரவில் ராஜீவ் ரஞ்சன் கையெழுத்திட்டார்.

புதிய தலைமை செயலாளராக நியமிக்கப்பட்ட வெ. இறையன்பு ( ஐ.ஏ.எஸ்.) முன்னதாக, நாகப்பட்டினத்தில் சப் கலெக்டராகவும், காஞ்சிபுரத்தில் மாவட்ட கலெக்டராகவும், கடலூரில் இணை ஆணையர், நகராட்சி நிர்வாகம் மற்றும் கூடுதல் கலெக்டராகவும் பணியாற்றியுள்ளார். மேலும் செய்தி மற்றும் மக்கள் தொடர்பு துறையில் இயக்குநராகவும், முதல்வரின் செயலர், செய்தி மற்றும் சுற்றுலாத்துறையின் செயலராகவும், சுற்றுலா மற்றும் பண்பாட்டு துறையில் தலைமை இயக்குநர் (பயிற்சி) மற்றும் இயக்குநர் அண்ணா மேலாண்மை நிலையம் உள்ளிட்ட பல்வேறு முக்கிய பொறுப்புகளை வகித்துள்ளார்.

தொடர்ந்து, தமிழகத்தின் தலைமை செயலாளராக இருந்த ராஜிவ் ரஞ்சன், தமிழ்நாடு செய்தித்தாள் கழகத்திற்கு மாற்றப்பட்டுள்ளார். இதற்கான பணி நியமன உத்தரவில் விதிமுறைகளின்படி, அவரே கையெழுத்திட்டுள்ளார். அவரது பெயரில் தான் பணி நியமனத்திற்கான ஆர்டரும் வந்ததாக கூறப்படுகிறது.

Supreme Court Suggests To Include NEET PG Aspirants And Trained Nursing Students In COVID Workforce, Incentives By Way Of Grace Marks

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Take Immediate Steps By Tomorrow To Ensure Adequate Oxygen For Tamil Nadu : Madras High Court Directs Centre

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Officials sitting at home should be assigned some duty: Delhi High Court to AAP government

Officials sitting at home should be assigned some duty: Delhi High Court to AAP government

Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, appearing for the Delhi government, said that he would convey the court's suggestions to the government.

Published: 06th May 2021 09:40 PM 

By PTI

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Thursday told the Delhi government that its officials not on COVID duty during the lockdown cannot sit at home doing nothing and some duty or responsibility should be assigned to all of them.

A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said that the Delhi government should use its entire potential or force, including forest officers and clerks, and not just depend upon a few IAS and DANIPS officers to deal with the issues grappling the national capital.

"Instead of just depending on your IAS and DANIPS officers, you need to use your full potential, the force you have. You have forest officers and then at lower levels you have UDCs, LDCs, etc."

"Just because there is a kind of lockdown in place, does not mean these people can sit at home doing nothing. That cannot be. Some of them have to come out. Maybe some of them can work from home. But some duty should be assigned to all of them," the court said.

Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, appearing for the Delhi government, said that he would convey the court's suggestions to the government.

The observations and suggestions by the court came after it was told by several lawyers, including the amicus curiae, that the data regarding beds in the Delhi Corona app or website were not accurate as the numbers were not being updated on real time.

Senior advocate and amicus curiae Rajshekhar Rao told the court that when he tried to get the correct numbers over the phone from a hospital, the person attending the call did not have the real time data.

Advocate Aditya Prasad, who has filed a petition on the various COVID related issues plaguing the city, told the bench that as the data on the app and the website are inaccurate, people are left running from hospital to hospital and on arriving there they are told no beds are vacant.

He said that there should be some government official posted at each of these hospitals, mentioned in the app and website, who can communicate the data on a real time basis.

Prasad said that if the Delhi government cannot show real time data on the app or website, then both would serve no purpose and should be taken down.

Taking note of the submissions, the bench said there should be one dedicated person in each hospital to provide real time data about the beds and also attend queries over the phone.

The court also told the Delhi government that when it says something to the government or passes an order or makes an observation, the intention is "to set the ball rolling".

The bench said it was not an expert, but it wants the experts and officials of the government to apply their minds to the suggestions made by the court.

"That is the idea, that is the spirit. We are not telling you, do this, do that. We want you to do something," it said.