‘Recall of Chief Secretary unprecedented’

‘Recall of Chief Secretary unprecedented’

‘There is a custom that an officer will not be deputed against his/her will’

30/05/2021

Vijaita Singh New Delhi

On May 28, the department of personnel and training (DoPT) under Ministry of Personnel directed that West Bengal Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay report to its office at North Block in Delhi by 10 a.m. on May 31. The order came hours after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee allegedly skipped a review meeting on Cyclone Yaas with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Kalaikunda. Ms. Banerjee has refuted the allegation saying she handed over a detailed report on cyclone to the Prime Minister and after seeking his permission thrice, she proceeded to another meeting at Digha with Mr. Bandyopadhay.

The order read that the appointments committee of the Cabinet has approved the “placement of services” of Mr. Bandyopadhyay as per provisions of the Indian Administrative Service (cadre) Rules, 1954 with the Government of India with “immediate effect.”

The ACC is headed by the Prime Minister, and Home Minister Amit Shah is the other member.

The 1987 batch IAS officer has never been on Central deputation and is to superannuate on May 31. Earlier, on the request of the State government, Centre had approved three-month extension in service to the officer, top bureaucrat in West Bengal.

What is the rule cited by DoPT ?

The DoPT order said that the ACC has approved Mr. Bandyopadhyay’s transfer to Delhi under Rule 6(I) of the IAS (cadre) Rules, 1954. The said rule pertains to “deputation of cadre officers.”

It says that a cadre officer may, with the concurrence of the State governments concerned and the Central government, be deputed for service under the Central government or another State government.

It however adds, “provided that in case of any disagreement, the matter shall be decided by the Central government and the State government or State governments concerned shall give effect to the decision of the Central government.”

When were the rules framed?

After the All India Services Act, 1951 came into existence, the IAS cadre rules were framed in 1954.

The said rule on deputation giving more discretionary powers to the Centre was added in May 1969.

What has been the practice so far?

Before any officer of All India Services (AIS) is called for deputation to the Centre, his or her concurrence is required. The Establishment Officer in DoPT invites nominations from State governments. Once the nomination is received, their eligibility is scrutinised by a panel and then an offer list is prepared, traditionally done with the State government on board. Central Ministries and offices can then choose from the list of officers on offer. AIS officers are recruited by the Centre and they are lent to States. The publication of offer list on DoPT’s website was discontinued by the government in 2018 amid reports that not many State government officers were willing to come to Centre for deputation.

Is the current order one of its kind?

According to Vappala Balachandran, former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, the order is not only “unprecedented” but also vindictive.

“Legally speaking it is the Centre that holds ultimate control. But there is also a custom that an officer will not be deputed against his/her own will. This order is unilateral and an awkward step, unbecoming of the Central government specially after they gave due extension. This officer superannuates on May 31, if he refuses to join, can the Centre exercise its right on a retired officer? Mr. Balachandran asked. Earlier in December 2020, the Home Ministry had attached three Indian Police Service (IPS) officers of West Bengal cadre — Rajeev Mishra, Praveen Kumar Tripathi and Bholanath Pandey — but the State government did not relieve them. The attachment order came after the cavalcade of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) president J.P Nadda was attacked in Diamond Harbour area. Home Ministry is the cadre controlling authority of IPS officers.

What if the officer refuses to comply with the order?

The All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969 are not clear on the punishment in such cases. But Rule 7 says the authority to institute proceedings and to impose penalty will be the State government while he or she was “serving in connection with the affairs of a State.” The case is peculiar as Mr. Badyopadhyay retires on May 31 and is not on deputation to the Central government. The Chief Minister can write to the Centre to reconsider its decision.

Withdraw transfer order of Chief Secretary: Mamata

Withdraw transfer order of Chief Secretary: Mamata

30/05/2021

Chief Minister also said that the BJP leadership is unable to digest its electoral defeat.

“Why are you (Modi) behaving in this manner with Bengal? We have won a landslide victory — is that your only worry? You tried your best… but they (people) voted for us and they ousted you. Please accept the mandate of the people,” she said.

The Chief Minister said that the West Bengal government had sent a letter on May 10 to the Centre requesting a three-month extension for Mr. Alapan Bandopadhyay who is to retire on May 31, so he could continue to work with State government to combat the prevailing COVID pandemic and the impending cyclone. On May 24 the State government received letter from the Centre, allowing Mr. Bandopadhyay to continue as Chief Secretary. “You tell me in 74 years have you ever seen this type of incident?” Ms. Banerjee said.

Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, alleged that Ms. Banerjee and the Chief Secretary had insulted the Prime Minister by not attending a meeting chaired by him.

(With inputs from PTI)

Chennai ahead of Bengaluru in virus fight

Chennai ahead of Bengaluru in virus fight

Study says difference between the two cities in managing the pandemic’s second wave is stark

30/05/2021

The battle is on: Municipal workers waiting to get vaccinated at a school in Bengaluru.AP

Laiqh A. Khan

The two mega cities of south India — Bengaluru and Chennai — may be separated by barely 350 km from each other, but the difference in COVID-19 mortality between the two cities, particularly in the second wave, has been quite stark.

During the 90-day period between February 25 and May 25 this year, Bengaluru Urban recorded 7,397 COVID-19 deaths while Chennai registered 2,401, which is only about a third of the cases in country’s IT capital. This, despite the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls held on April 6.

According to a comparative analysis carried out by Project Jeevan Raksha, a public-private initiative by Proxima, a management consulting firm, with technical support and guidance of the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Bengaluru also added positive cases and active cases at a faster pace than Chennai.

If the total positive cases in Bengaluru raced to 11,31,496 on May 25 from 4,04,628 on February 5, at a scorching moving growth rate of 180%, Chennai’s total cases reached 4,87,691 on May 25 from 2,35,005 on February 25, at a moving growth rate of 108%.

Active cases in Bengaluru went up to 2,19,551 on May 25 from 3,887 on February 25, while the corresponding numbers for Chennai were 47,553 on May 25 and 1,780 on February 25.

One year ago, on May 25, 2020, the number of people dying due to COVID-19 in Bengaluru was 10 while in Chennai 87 had died, recalled convenor of Jeevan Raksha Mysore, Sanjeev. But, a year later, 11,863 people had died in Bengaluru urban while in Chennai the figure stood at 6,546. He said Bengaluru compared with Chennai in terms of “population and ecosystem”.

Infrastructure in place

Citing the reasons for difference in pandemic management in the two cities, Mr. Sanjeev said the Tamil Nadu government had recognised that critical medical infrastructure and resources were needed and equipped the city to manage the surge. Also, Tamil Nadu is the only State in India to stick to 100% RT-PCR, the gold standard for COVID-19 testing, ensuring both “quantitative” as well as “qualitative” testing in Chennai. But in Bengaluru, the number of tests were reduced when the cases surged, he pointed out.

“Our study has indicated that one in every five persons who died due to COVID-19 in Bengaluru Urban succumbed on the day of hospitalisation itself,” Mr Sanjeev said, adding that fear of exorbitant hospitalisation charges was pushing people to delay treatment.

“Another major issue in Bengaluru is the interference and highhandedness of local politicians in the administration,” said Mr. Sanjeev.

Tangedco in a piquant situation over billing consumers

Tangedco in a piquant situation over billing consumers

30/05/2021

R. SrikanthCHENNAI

The decision of Tangedco to stop door-to-door meter reading in the city has not gone down well with the consumer activists as well as its engineering staff.

Having extended the last date for payment of electricity bills from May 10 to 24, Tangedco again revised the date to June 7, stopped door-to-door assessment and asked the domestic consumers to pay the electricity bill equivalent to the amount of corresponding month in 2019 or take a reading of the meter on their own and accordingly pay the electricity bill for May cycle.

Somasundaram, a consumer activist, alleged that when hundreds of the operation and maintenance staff were attending to complaints of power breakdown, at times even in containment zones, exempting meter readers alone from their work was not a good administrative decision. It was causing much hardship to the domestic consumers and brought bad name to the power utility. He said the consumers would have difficulty in taking down the reading because of technical issues with various digital meters.

A divisional engineer of Tangedco said unlike the static meter where one could easily find the number of units consumed, the lack of uniform installation of digital meters would result in wrong calculation of meter readings. He said: “Already, electricity bill issues of hundreds of customers of the lockdown of last year are yet to be resolved by the local officials and this would burden the local electricity staff.” The electricity official said there are over more than 90 lakh domestic consumers in the city and the three neighbouring districts of Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu.

A senior official said the assessors’ unions refused to take up door-to-door billing during the lockdown and so it was forced to give the options of self-assessment or pay the amount equivalent to the corresponding month bill of 2019. However, there would be more clarity in a few days, he added.

Class 12 examinations: The waiting board game

Class 12 examinations: The waiting board game

Awaiting the apex court’s final decision on class 12 board exams, students and parents share their ordeals of endless virtual classes, fatigue of online tests and their impact on mental health

Published: 31st May 2021 01:35 AM 

By Anushree Madhavan And Sahana Iyer

Express News Service

CHENNAI: It seems like I have been in this class for a year; my last year of school started in April 2020. Now, more than a year later, I am still studying the same portions that my younger sister, who just graduated to class 12, is studying”. This short account by state board student Akshaya Gopalakrishnan is a perfect summary of the plight of class 12 students, across boards, in a pandemic. For the first time in history, an entire academic year went online.

Robbed of the most important school memories and replaced by endless virtual classes and online exams, the pandemic has been unforgiving to these students, to say the least. The uncertainty of the board exams has only added to the series of unfortunate events. The career-defining board exams, which are usually completed by March, have been continuously delayed, with little information to relieve the kids and their guardians.

Recently, at a meeting with union ministers and state education ministers, the Tamil Nadu government stated that they are strongly in favour of conducting the class 12 board exams. The CBSE has given the states two options – either conduct examinations for the main 19 subjects at designated centres or have 90-minute objective exams at the students’ schools. After collecting feedback from the states, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank is expected to announce the final decision on June 1.

The debate

But these decisions are yet to ease parents’ woes as they are concerned about their children’s future. “They seem to be free and without any pressure. Tests are being conducted but I don’t see any seriousness in that. There is no counselling or guidance. This has put us in a dilemma as we don’t know what sort of courses our son should look at,” rues Jeevika*, mother of Krishna*, a Matriculation student.

A petition was also filed with the Supreme Court regarding the cancellation of board exams and the hearing on this matter has been adjourned to today. “Being a teacher and a parent, (I know that) conducting an exam will be tough because it requires a lot of manpower. With this infectious virus, even if the curve flattens a bit, will the government take the decision of conducting exams among the difficulties? As a parent, I might not prefer to send my child to the exam hall.

It’s a very difficult decision,” exclaims Parvathy Swaminathan, a teacher and mother of S Darshan, a CBSE student. Shravan*, whose child studies in the state board curriculum, seems to disagree. “Exam cancellation could be from the point of view of health, given the pandemic. However, board exams are the decision-maker for choosing a career. So we are not in favour of cancelling the exams,” he says. Vinay, another parent, concurs. “Unless board exams are conducted, there will not be a sense of achievement for the kids. If they are cancelled, it will be a waste of one whole year. Even colleges should consider this as a special year, where students must be given admission solely based on merit,” he shares.

Exams done, what next?

While the final exams of CBSE and state board are haunting the children and parents, schools following the Cambridge curriculum took a more definitive route. The curriculum has three major examinations every academic year, held in February-March, May-June, and October-November. While offline exams were conducted in February and March, they cancelled the ones in May and June and offered school assessments instead. “We’re glad that Cambridge quickly came up with what they are doing. The exams are cancelled. And they quickly spelt out the next steps.

That’s not the case with CBSE, where the board is still deliberating what to do,” says Jayashree Baskaran, Srinidhi’s mother. However, despite the finality of the decision by the Cambridge board, they have not escaped the effects of the state and CBSE board exams, it seems. “Some of the colleges I’ve applied to are going to conduct online exams soon. Some others are not very sure, which is a little unsettling...I am applying only in India but a lot of my friends, who applied abroad, already have college offers in their hands and they are just waiting for results to commit to their college,” laments Srinidhi Sridharan.

Revise and repeat

The situation is a lot more complicated for students like Harshita and SR Neelan Shankar, who are preparing for the NEET exams. “Classes 11 and 12 portions are the base for any Science course. Since we did not have classroom sessions this year, we have lost out on understanding certain concepts. This can be slightly disadvantageous to us,” says Neelan. Meanwhile, Harshita is utilising her time to brush up on concepts.

“I will be appearing for NEET this year and I have been taking online coaching for that. For this entrance exam, we have to be strong with our class 11 portions as well. So every day, I spend the first half preparing for board exams and the second half preparing for NEET. I take one subject per day,” she says. While students juggle with preparations for college admissions as well as board exams, most schools are conducting revision exams currently.

Akshaya, who is giving her fourth revision test, following the fiveunit tests her school already conducted, says, “It consumes the better part of my day. We write the exam on paper while being logged into Google Classrooms. A teacher invigilates like they do for any exam that is conducted in school. After the three-hour test, it takes us about an hour to click pictures of what we wrote, compile it as a PDF and send it to our teachers. But I must say, these revision tests have prepared me better for the board exams.”

Mental health matters

Apart from the learning crutch, several social relationships had to be foregone for the sake of health and well-being. Students who were looking forward to spending their last year with their friends and classmates were stuck socialising behind a screen. “While there weren’t inadequacies from the school’s side, when it came to the students, I think it was a bit much for them to be online all the time. It wasn’t easy. There’s always fatigue that comes with it.

I noticed a lot of mood swings in my daughter Sneha, who is a sweet child; sometimes, I even noticed depression and anger issues. It has nothing to do with the school but the system is very different for the students. And they have not been in touch with their classmates. The teachers gave breaks but they were online all day. It wasn’t easy on the children or teachers. But they both did their best,” remarks Vidhya Venugopal. With her last year behind her, Cambridge board student Sneha looks back at what she missed out on. “In school, there is a study environment.

There is a classroom where there are teachers, students and there is a face-to-face conversation. Even during exams, there is a sense of moral support and discussion. With online classes, it felt like all we were doing was logging in, attending a bunch of sessions and logging out. We did find our ways to make it entertaining — teachers conducted activities and had funny students share jokes. And the classes did prepare us but only for a test, not for our last year of school where you spend time with teachers and friends, and talk to them about university, jobs, interviews and all that,” she says. Where does this path lead them next? That’s what’s giving many a student and parent sleepless nights.

“The future is a question mark. We don’t know which way to go and what to decide. This has created some anxious moments for us. We have been in touch with some colleges but they are also clueless. We don’t know whether they have an entrance exam or direct selection,” says Shravan. As the students lose their summer holidays to worries and waiting, their future hinges on what the apex court decides.

*Names changed on request

Is this the Solution?

While CBSE is yet to come up with a decision, according to reports, they may consider students’ performance in the last three years to make assessments. However, CBSE officials have not confirmed the same.

Medical students want to return to China, seek removal of impediments

Medical students want to return to China, seek removal of impediments

The universities in China are placed above Indian varsities in world rankings, but there are too many impediments in India for students who pass out of these universities.

Published: 31st May 2021 03:01 AM |

By A Satish

Express News Service

PALAKKAD: Saranya S Sabu of Thiruvananthapuram is doing her third-year MBBS course at Ningbo University in Zhejiang province of China. She came to Kerala for her vacation on January 5, 2020, and has been stranded here since.

As Covid-19 broke out in China, students from the state studying in various universities there had been attending online classes after the vacation, but the number of cases in India increased in the first wave later.

“For the past one-and-a-half years, we have been attending classes and exams online. Unfortunately, we are unable to do practicals. To add to our woes, the Indian government is yet to recognise the online courses of China. There is a clause in China that medical graduation should be completed within eight years. Our course is for five years, followed by a 10-month internship. If the online course is not recognised in India, we will have to pay fees and attend regular classes all over again in China,” says Saranya. Ningbo is one of the 45 universities in China recognised by India for the MBBS course.

“Moreover, we are unable to complete our practical classes. Since our visa stands cancelled, it will be difficult for us to get bank loans,” she adds.

“We need to go back at the earliest. The Indian embassy needs to take up the matter with the Chinese authorities. Our future is at stake,” said A R Athira of Palakkad, a third-year medical student at Jilin University in Changchun.

The universities in China are placed above Indian varsities in world rankings, but there are too many impediments in India for students who pass out of these universities. One of the attractions for parents is that the cost of education is low in China. Depending on the university, the medical graduate course costs, on average, around Rs 6 lakh in fees for one year. The course can be completed for Rs 30 lakh,” said Andrews Mathew, president of Foreign Medical Graduate Parents Association, whose son Jonad Andrews is pursuing his third-year medical degree course from Jilin University.

The students who complete the course abroad have to pass the exams of the Medical Council of India (MCI). Most of the questions in this exam are of postgraduation level, he said. Mathew points out that more than 10,000 students are doing their medical courses in China alone. “Now, only emergency visa is available to return to China. One of the conditions stipulated is that the students should take two doses of the Chinese vaccine, which is not available in India, and complete 14 days’ quarantine. The External Affairs Ministry should seek clarifications from China on all this,” he said.

A Bill titled Draft Regulations for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMG) 2021 has been prepared by the National Medical Commission (NMC) on April 23. It is proposed to be introduced in Parliament in June. “According to that, all students after completing the MBBS course should register for the National Exit Test (NEXT) to assess the knowledge of pre- and para-clinical subjects as well. While students here should pass two papers, those who have passed their exams from abroad should pass an additional paper to qualify the screening test. Also, they must pass these three papers within a gap of two years of completing the MBBS course abroad. We want the government to extend the stipulation of two years to five years,” he added.

“There are a large number of senior students from Kerala alone who have been unable to return and complete their practicals. I hope China will clarify that WHO-approved vaccines are also recognised,” said Fadhl Mohammed Sageer, a second-year medical student at the Southeast University in Nanjing, China.

Beware! Devices many, but home treatment for COVID-19 can go terribly wrong

Beware! Devices many, but home treatment for COVID-19 can go terribly wrong

Volunteers who have been helping patients get beds or oxygen cylinders, have come across cases where even if a patient’s condition is deteriorating, the family opts for home isolation.

Published: 31st May 2021 05:18 AM |

By Iffath Fathima

Express News Service

BENGALURU: With the availability of oxygen cylinders and home isolation as an option for treatment of Covid patients, there have been cases of people delaying going to hospital, resulting in many losing their lives.

Volunteers who have been helping patients get beds or oxygen cylinders, have come across cases where even if a patient’s condition is deteriorating, the family opts for home isolation and procures cylinders and other equipment to start treatment at home.

In one case, a 30-year-old covid patient, a resident of Rachenahalli, had cough, breathlessness and dropping oxygen levels. Initially, she was taken to a private clinic and given oxygen, and her oxygen saturation level touched 88. The family brought her home, with the idea of starting home isolation, with the support of oxygen cylinders.

The family arranged for 5-6 oxygen cylinders, devices like BiPAP machine (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure), nebuliser and non-rebreather mask, and the patient went from bad to worse within five days of home isolation. When volunteers tried to arrange for a ventilator bed, the patient’s family was choosy about the hospital.

Mohammed Ismail, volunteer with Mercy Mission, said, “Initially, the patient just required a HDU (high dependency) bed, but the patient’s family brought in every gadget and started treatment at home, which led to her condition worsening, and she needed an ICU bed. In spite of attempts to arrange beds, they were picky and said they would go for admission the next day. No hospital is going to hold beds in these times of crisis. This is not the first case, we have come across many such incidents. Lives should not be put at risk.”

However, late at night, another volunteer managed to convince the family, and the patient was sent to a private hospital.

In another case, a 63-year-old man from Nagawara, who was Covid-positive with oxygen saturation level dropping to 60, was getting treated at home. “The family doctor advised them to stay home and get treated. They went looking for oxygen cylinders, which took two hours, and the doctor took two hours to come and start treatment. The patient lost four hours, his condition worsened and he passed away,” said another volunteer.

Meanwhile, a senior doctor from a private hospital said, “In spite of telling people to get admitted early or start the right treatment at home, they don’t heed us. If the oxygen level starts dropping, they need to get to hospital fast. Now, with BBMP starting triage centres, things might get better.”

புதிய கட்டுப்பாடுகளுடன் முழு ஊரடங்கு நீட்டிப்பு; வாகனங்களில் இன்றுமுதல் மளிகை பொருட்கள் விற்பனை: ஏற்றுமதி நிறுவனங்கள் செயல்பட அனுமதி

புதிய கட்டுப்பாடுகளுடன் முழு ஊரடங்கு நீட்டிப்பு; வாகனங்களில் இன்றுமுதல் மளிகை பொருட்கள் விற்பனை: ஏற்றுமதி நிறுவனங்கள் செயல்பட அனுமதி

full-lockdown-extended

31.05.2021

தமிழகத்தில் தளர்வுகற்ற முழு ஊரடங்கு ஜூன் 7 வரை நீடிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள நிலையில் காய்கறி, பழங்கள் போல மளிகை பொருட்களும் இன்றுமுதல் வாகனங்களில் விற்பனை செய்ய அனுமதி அளிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

தமிழகத்தில் கரோனா வைரஸ் தினசரி பாதிப்பு 35 ஆயிரத்தை தாண்டியதைத் தொடர்ந்து, கடந்த மே 10-ம் தேதி முதல் சில தளர்வுகளுடன் முழு ஊரடங்கு அமல்படுத்தப்பட்டது. அதன்பின், மே 15-ம் தேதி தளர்வுகள் குறைக்கப்பட்டன. தொடர்ந்து மே 24-ம் தேதி முதல் தளர்வில்லா முழு ஊரடங்கு அமலுக்கு வந்தது.இந்த ஊரடங்குக்கான காலம் இன்று காலை 6 மணியுடன் முடிவுக்கு வருகிறது.

இதையடுத்து, இன்று காலை 6 மணி முதல் ஜூன்7-ம் தேதி காலை 7 மணிவரை முழு ஊரடங்கு சில கட்டுப்பாடுகள், தளர்வுகளுடன் நீட்டிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதையடுத்து, முழு ஊரடங்கு கட்டுப்பாடுகள் இன்று முதல் அமலுக்கு வருகின்றன.

மளிகைப் பொருட்கள்

நீட்டிக்கப்பட்ட ஊரடங்கை பொறுத்தவரை வாகனங்கள், தள்ளுவண்டிகளில் காய்கறி, பழம்ஆகியவற்றுடன் மளிகைப் பொருட்களையும் அனுமதி பெற்று விற்பனை செய்யலாம் என்று அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதுதவிர தொலைபேசி மற்றும் ஆன்லைனில் ஆர்டர் பெற்று வீட்டுக்கே காலை 7 மணி முதல் மாலை 6 மணிவரை சென்று மளிகைப் பொருட்களை விற்பனை செய்ய அனுமதி அளிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

நியாயவிலைக் கடைகள் காலை 8 முதல் பகல் 12 மணிவரை இயங்கலாம் என்றும், வங்கி, காப்பீட்டு நிறுவனங்கள், நிதி வர்த்தக சேவைகள், செபி உள்ளிட்ட பங்கு வர்த்தக நிறுவனங்கள் உள்ளிட்டவை மூன்றில் ஒரு பங்கு பணியாளர்களுடன் இயங்கவும் அனுமதி அளிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

ஏற்றுமதி நிறுவனங்கள் தங்கள் ஆர்டர்களுக்கான பணிகளை மேற்கொள்ளும் வகையில் 50 சதவீத பணியாளர்களுடன் பணியாற்றலாம். இந்த நிறுவனங்கள், தங்கள் பணியாளர்களை பேருந்து, வேன், டெம்போ, கார்களில் மட்டுமே அழைத்து வர வேண்டும். தொழிற்சாலைகள் தங்கள் பணியாளர்களுக்கு ஒருமாதத்துக்குள் தடுப்பூசி போடுவதற்கான நடவடிக்கை எடுத்தால் மட்டுமே தொடர்ந்து செயல்பட அனுமதிக்கப்படும் என்று தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. அதே நேரத்தில் கோவை, திருப்பூர், சேலம், கரூர், ஈரோடு, நாமக்கல், திருச்சி மற்றும் மதுரை மாவட்டங்களில் இப்பணிகளை மேற்கொள்ள அனுமதி இல்லை.

முந்தைய முழு ஊரடங்கில் இல்லாத வகையில், வீட்டில் இருந்து விமான நிலையம், ரயில் நிலையம் செல்லவும் அங்கிருந்து வீடு திரும்பவும் பயண விவரம், பயணச்சீட்டு மற்றும் அடையாள அட்டையுடன் கூடியஇ-பதிவு இருந்தால் மட்டுமே அனுமதிக்கப்படும் என்று கட்டுப்பாடு விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. அதேபோல், மாநிலங்களுக்கு இடையிலும், மாவட்டங்களுக்கு இடையிலும், மாவட்டத்துக்குள்ளும் தனிநபர்கள் மருத்துவ அவசரம் மற்றும் இறப்பு, இறுதிச் சடங்குக்கு செல்வதற்கு இ-பதிவு அவசியம். அதேபோல் வெளிநாடு, வெளிமாநிலங்களில் இருந்து விமானம், ரயில் மூலம் வருவோருக்கும் இ-பதிவு அவசியம் என்ற கட்டுப்பாடுகள் தொடர்கின்றன.

வாகனங்கள் பறிமுதல்

இதனிடையே, நேற்று ஞாயிறுக்கிழமை என்பதால், காவல் துறையினரின் கட்டுப்பாடுகள் அதிகஅளவில் இருந்தன. நகரப்பகுதிகளில் ஓரளவு கட்டுப்பாடுகளை கடைபிடித்தாலும், அதை ஒட்டியுள்ள கிராமங்களில் வாகனங்களில் மக்கள் நடமாட்டம் அதிகமாகவே காணப்பட்டது. தேவையின்றி வெளியில் சுற்றியவர்களின் வாகனங்களை போலீஸார் பறிமுதல் செய்தனர்.

Services of resident doctors crucial for hospital functioning

Services of resident doctors crucial for hospital functioning

NBE notice to extend training period not unreasonable: HC

31/05/2021

Staff Reporter New Delhi

The Delhi High Court has said the services of resident doctors are imperative for functioning of hospitals due to the COVID-19 pandemic while noting that the decision of the authorities to extend their training beyond schedule cannot be arbitrary or unreasonable.

Doctors contend

The High Court’s remark came while hearing a plea by several doctors who are in DNB Super Speciality courses, challenging a May 4, 2021 notification by which the National Board of Examination (NBE) has extended their training beyond the scheduled date of its completion.

The doctors contended that the DNB course is of three years and a mandatory extension of three months is permissible, which they have already served, and claimed that the authorities are not empowered to extend the course beyond this period.

Justice Prateek Jalan, however, remarked, “Having regard to the circumstances arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for continuation of residents as mentioned in the National Medical Commission (NMC) advisory dated April 27, 2021 — which has not been challenged in the writ petition — I am unable to accede to [advocate Sidharth] Yadav’s request for an interim order”.

The court agreed with the submission of the NMC and the NBE that the availability of resident doctors is imperative for the functioning of hospitals.

The High Court said it was unable to accept the contention of the doctors’ counsel that even in the circumstances arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the deferment of the practical examinations of the petitioners is on account of a deliberate stratagem adopted by the respondents.

The High Court has issued notices to the Centre, DNB and the NBE on the petition and listed the matter for further hearing on August 4.

Plasma therapy not advisable for COVID patients, say experts

Plasma therapy not advisable for COVID patients, say experts

Specialists share best practices in treating the disease

31/05/2021

Sumit BhattacharjeeVISAKHAPATNAM

A couple of days back, Vijay (name changed), an employee of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, had to run from pillar to post to acquire two units of plasma, as doctors in a private hospital treating his father with COVID-19, had asked him to get them on an emergency basis. With great difficulty, he could manage by paying ₹35,000 for two units in the grey market.

This is the case in the city, when world over the use of Convalescent Plasma for treating COVID-19 patients has already been called off.

“There is enough data to suggest that CPT has no role in treating COVID-19 patients,” said Dr. Laxmi Narayana R. Buddharaju from University of Nebraska Medical Centre.

“We have already stopped the use of CPT in the western world and even ICMR has also done enough evidence-based study to suggest the same,” he added. According to Dr. Sudhakar, the Principal of Andhra Medical College and District COVID special officer, ICMR had already issued an advisory stating that indiscriminate use of CPT in coronavirus-infected patients was not advisable.

There was a time when it was recommended, but those were in the initial phase of the pandemic. “Now we have enough data that negates that understanding,” said Dr. Ram Kairam, paediatric neurologist, Texas, U.S.A. “In the initial days, treatment of COVID-19 was on an experimental basis and we at KGH bought a machine for ₹40 lakh for extraction of plasma. But now those theories have proved to be unfounded and we have evidence to suggest that it is not effective,” said Dr. Sudhakar

Confidence is the key

Confidence is the key

With the UPSC Civil Services interview being postponed, candidates can use this time to prepare well

31/05/2021

C. Sylendra Babu

With the interview for the UPSC Civil Services exam being postponed, candidates should continue to be in training mode. Considering the severity of the pandemic’s second wave, this test could even be held online.

Headed by a chairman and four members, the board’s responsibility is to assess the suitability of a candidate for the highest services in the government.

Assessing personality

The interview is a test of personality and includes mental alertness, critical power of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability of social cohesion and leadership, and intellectual and moral integrity.

It is always better to have a reasonable and rational answer to questions like why the candidate chose the Indian Administrative Service. One could say that he/she was attracted by the challenges and the responsibilities in government service, and the opportunities for self-development. A narrative of an emotional meeting with an IAS officer could be misinterpreted as manufactured.

There are always questions on one’s hobbies. In the Detailed Application Form (DAF), many do not apply their minds when filling in hobbies. ‘Talking to the elderly’ is one such entry. When asked why not younger people, the candidate struggles to answer. For those who enter reading as a hobby, it may help to read a few books before the interview.

Candidates should familiarise themselves with the current happenings: the farm laws, the COVID-19 pandemic, the recently concluded assembly elections and so on. One may examine the pros and cons of an issue but avoid questioning the government’s policies or its implementation. Expressing sentiments of regional parochialism, or linguistic chauvinism would also be counterproductive.

Play it cool

Candidates who opted to interview in a regional language can impress the board by answering in English, if they are reasonably comfortable with it. However, this is not a serious impediment provided he/she has a persuasive body language and the confidence to put forth accurate information.

The candidate’s integrity is assessed by the accuracy of his/her answers and body language. Therefore, a candidate may gain by saying that he did not know the answer to a particular question. To be at peace with oneself is an expression of confidence.

During this extended period of opportunity offered by the pandemic, candidates should go through the transcripts of previous interviews, gather information, analyse it and forge answers to every possible question.

In my experience of conducting mock interviews, I have noticed that candidates exhibit anxiety when a cross examination is made. Their body language changes and gives the impression that they have lost confidence in themselves. Therefore, candidates should attend multiple mock interviews and gain control over their emotions. Banishing fear is the real challenge, as it can shatter confidence. After all, confidence is the key to success in the interview.

The writer is a Director General of Police and the author of The Principles of Success in Interview. www.sylendrababu.com

Post offices start free slot booking for vaccination

Post offices start free slot booking for vaccination

31/05/2021

Special Correspondent HYDERABAD

The Department of Posts has started registration for COVID vaccination as a measure of social service and to ensure protection to people against the infectious virus.

The process of slot booking has been taken up to assist in registration for vaccination so that a large number of people, particularly in rural areas, are not left out of the massive vaccination drive being carried out by the government.

“The service has already been taken up in 36 Head Post Offices, 643 Sub Post Offices and 10 Branch Post Offices in Hyderabad Headquarters Region and Hyderabad Region in Telangana Circle,” Assistant Director in office of the Post Master General Hyderabad K. Venkatarami Reddy said.

In the next phase, another 800 Branch Post Offices would be included. People have to reach the post office with their photo IDs such as Aadhaar and mobile phone to enable the post office staff complete the process through one time password generated and sent to their mobile phones.

“In view of the problems being faced by a large number of people in rural areas in getting themselves registered for vaccination owing to lack of smartphones and connectivity issues, the Department of Posts has started assisting in registration of appointment for vaccination,” Mr. Venkatarami Reddy said.

The postal department staff would use the Co-WIN application from the Branch Offices-Common Service Centres (BO-CSC) through a mobile app, for which no service charges are collected. People could avail the vaccine slot booking facility in the post offices free of cost, according to a press release

Govt. not ignoring Coimbatore, says CM

Govt. not ignoring Coimbatore, says CM

31/05/2021

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin addressing a press meet in Coimbatore on Sunday. S. Siva SaravananSIVA SARAVANAN S

He recalled his statement that the DMK government would work in such a way that people who voted for the party would be happy and those who did not vote would regret it, appreciating its work.

To drive home his point, he said this was his second visit to the district. He had held a video-conference with the Collector, deputed Minister for Medical and Family Welfare Ma. Subramanian and designated a senior officer as the nodal officer to oversee the implementation of the COVID-19 control measures.

If need be, he would make another visit, he said.

Mr. Stalin said the State had fared better than Kerala and Karnataka, which had reported the highest daily case count of 43,000 and 50,000 as the pandemic peaked. On the other hand, Tamil Nadu had reported the highest of 36,000 cases, the Chief Minister said.

The case count had come down in the last two days in the district as the administration was taking all steps to control the spread of the infection.

The Coimbatore Corporation had 631 areas under quarantine in the city and the district administration had 302 localities in rural areas. The administration had vaccinated three lakh people in the last couple of weeks and lifted samples for RT-PCR testing from 1.7 lakh persons.

In response to a question on the State’s move to take on lease the Integrated Vaccine Complex in Chengalpattu, Mr. Stalin said he was awaiting a response from the Centre.

‘Parties must not intervene in vaccination’

‘Parties must not intervene in vaccination’

31/05/2021

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

AIADMK coordinator O. Panneerselvam on Sunday urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to stop parties from intervening in COVID-19 vaccination camps.

Media reports

In a statement, he cited media reports of an incident at a PHC in Modakkurichi, Erode district, where family members of DMK functionaries were allowed into the camp, originally meant for frontline workers.

“Such incidents not only affect frontline workers, but also pave way for the spread of COVID-19. These will also affect the creative steps taken by the Chief Minister,” he said.

He said those being prioritised should be informed in advance before camps are held in an area

In U.P., some prisoners feel safer inside jail

In U.P., some prisoners feel safer inside jail

31/05/2021

As many as 21 inmates in nine prisons of Uttar Pradesh wrote to the authorities saying they don’t want parole as staying incarcerated is “safer and healthier” for them during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The inmates say health check-up is done regularly in the jails ... They say that once they go out, they will have to struggle to earn a living,” said Anand Kumar, Director General of Jail Administration.

Stolen jewels recovered from man’s stomach

Stolen jewels recovered from man’s stomach

31/05/2021

A man arrested in connection with a theft case in Karnataka was on Sunday found to have swallowed gold ornaments he had allegedly stolen from jewellery shops. The incident happened at Sullia in Dakshina Kannada district.

Police sources said the accused developed severe abdominal pain on Saturday.

An X-ray showed the jewels in his intestine. The ornaments, mostly rings and ear-studs weighing 35 gm, were recovered through a surgical procedure, sources said. PTI

Flight attendants go the extra mile to cheer passengers

Flight attendants go the extra mile to cheer passengers

31/05/2021

Sunitha Sekar CHENNAI

At the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, flyers could be anxious about many things. Flight attendants, knowing their anxieties, try their best to put passengers at ease — from calming down a sobbing flyer to making a ‘get well soon’ card for someone sick.

Karthika Hariharan Iyer, working with IndiGo for 11 years now, recounts seeing a number of migrant workers on board.

“Some of them felt bad they didn’t know how to lock the washroom door. A few of them used all their money for the ticket and were really hungry on board. So, I make them comfortable and buy them snacks and tea. That’s the least I can do,” she says.

Chandni Pandit, a flight attendant for nine years, says a first-time flyer accidentally fell during the rush to board a flight and entered the aircraft with bleeding knees. “I tried to give her first aid and made her a ‘get well soon’ card before she got off. She still remembers and is in touch with me. Sometimes, we have passengers who sob on board and we give them a vacant seat in front so that they can immediately leave to the hospital or funeral they are heading to,” she adds.

Neelam Rathore, a flight attendant for nine years, says, “A major barrier for everyone now is communication, and many feel lonely and isolated. So, at this time, even small gestures will make a world of difference. We want to do everything in our capacity to bring a smile to their faces.”

Don’t send COVID-19 patients to GHs in the eleventh hour’

Don’t send COVID-19 patients to GHs in the eleventh hour’

Private practitioners should tell the patients to go in for RT – PCR test and then inform officials concerned, says Tenkasi Collector

30/05/2021

Special Correspondent

Collector G. S. Sameeran has warned private medical practitioners against sending COVID-19 patients to Government hospitals in the eleventh hour after treating them without taking RT – PCR test to confirm the infection.

Holding discussions with private medical practitioners of the district on Friday evening to explain to them about giving treatment to COVID-19 patients under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, he said the private practitioners should inform the officials concerned whenever patients with symptoms of the viral infection come to their hospitals. Moreover, they should prescribe the patients to go in for RT – PCR test so as to confirm the nature of infection.

“Only after conducting the RT – PCR test, the doctors should proceed with the treatment. The doctors should not give treatment to COVID-19 suspects without conducting the RT – PCR test. Doctors giving treatment to suspects without conducting the test and sending the patients to the nearest government hospital in the eleventh hour will face legal action,” he warned.

The Collector also said that COVID-19 patients should be charged only the fee fixed by the State Government under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme. For more information and assistance, the doctors may approach the officials concerned to clarify their doubts.

When medical practitioners complained that most patients were coming to their hospitals only after being under self-medication for a few days, the prime reason behind worsening of the condition of the patients, the Collector assured that pharmacies selling medicines for COVID-19 without proper prescription given by a qualified doctor would be sealed. He also warned the quacks against giving treatment to patients.

Joint Director of Health Services Nedumaran, Deputy Director (Tuberculosis), Vellaisamy and others participated in the meeting

Districts around Chennai still battle high Covid test positivity rate, deaths

Districts around Chennai still battle high Covid test positivity rate, deaths

Chengalpattu district officials told The New Indian Express that the TPR as recorded on Friday was 19.7%.

Published: 30th May 2021 06:36 PM 

Police charging fine for those roaming without masks at Egmore in Chennai. (Photo | R.Satish Babu, EPS)

By Nirupama Viswanathan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: While the Test Positivity Rate (TPR) in Chennai is on a downward trend, most recently at 8.8%, its neighbouring districts still have some work left to be done.

Chengalpattu district officials told The New Indian Express that the TPR as recorded on Friday was 19.7% and health officials in Tiruvallur said that they were maintaining daily samples at around 9,000 which would bring its TPR to around 12% as on Saturday. Many of Chennai's suburban and peri-urban areas come under these districts.

Another concern is that though the new Covid cases registered in these districts are on a decreasing trend, the deaths due to the virus remain the same or in some cases, higher when comparing two most recent seven-day blocks from May 16 to 22 and May 23 to 29. In Chengalpattu, when the number of new cases registered a decrease of 25.9% between these two time frames, the number of deaths remained the same.

In Tiruvallur, when the number of cases registered decreased by 32%, deaths increased by 22.2%. Similarly in Kancheepuram, when the cases decreased by 17%, the deaths increased by 23.5%. The increase in mortality in these two districts were much higher when compared to Chennai where the deaths increased by 4.91% in the compared time frames.

District officials in Tiruvallur said that the district administration and health officials were working to bring down deaths, along with the number of Covid 19 positive cases.

“We have six Covid care centres, two of which have been converted to Oxygen supported facilities, along with seven triaging centres. At the triaging centres, we have a colour coded card system where patients are issued green, yellow and red cards- for home quarantine (mild cases), covid care centre admission (moderate cases) and hospital admission for more severe cases,” said a health official.

We also have kiosk vehicles that collect swab samples from around 80 locations everyday so that no area is left uncovered, he added.

“The cases have come down in almost all areas including Poonamallee where a high number of cases used to be registered everyday,” the official said.

While health officials in Kancheepuram were not reachable for comment, Chengalpattu district officials said that the vaccination drives were reaching satisfactory numbers everyday and steps are being taken to increase awareness on vaccination.

“With higher vaccination numbers, we are already taking several measures for early detection of cases which will reduce the deaths,” an official said.

Medical students want to return to China, seek removal of impediments

Medical students want to return to China, seek removal of impediments

The universities in China are placed above Indian varsities in world rankings, but there are too many impediments in India for students who pass out of these universities.

Published: 31st May 2021 03:01 AM |

By A Satish

Express News Service

PALAKKAD: Saranya S Sabu of Thiruvananthapuram is doing her third-year MBBS course at Ningbo University in Zhejiang province of China. She came to Kerala for her vacation on January 5, 2020, and has been stranded here since.

As Covid-19 broke out in China, students from the state studying in various universities there had been attending online classes after the vacation, but the number of cases in India increased in the first wave later.

“For the past one-and-a-half years, we have been attending classes and exams online. Unfortunately, we are unable to do practicals. To add to our woes, the Indian government is yet to recognise the online courses of China. There is a clause in China that medical graduation should be completed within eight years. Our course is for five years, followed by a 10-month internship. If the online course is not recognised in India, we will have to pay fees and attend regular classes all over again in China,” says Saranya. Ningbo is one of the 45 universities in China recognised by India for the MBBS course.

“Moreover, we are unable to complete our practical classes. Since our visa stands cancelled, it will be difficult for us to get bank loans,” she adds.

“We need to go back at the earliest. The Indian embassy needs to take up the matter with the Chinese authorities. Our future is at stake,” said A R Athira of Palakkad, a third-year medical student at Jilin University in Changchun.

The universities in China are placed above Indian varsities in world rankings, but there are too many impediments in India for students who pass out of these universities. One of the attractions for parents is that the cost of education is low in China. Depending on the university, the medical graduate course costs, on average, around Rs 6 lakh in fees for one year. The course can be completed for Rs 30 lakh,” said Andrews Mathew, president of Foreign Medical Graduate Parents Association, whose son Jonad Andrews is pursuing his third-year medical degree course from Jilin University.

The students who complete the course abroad have to pass the exams of the Medical Council of India (MCI). Most of the questions in this exam are of postgraduation level, he said. Mathew points out that more than 10,000 students are doing their medical courses in China alone. “Now, only emergency visa is available to return to China. One of the conditions stipulated is that the students should take two doses of the Chinese vaccine, which is not available in India, and complete 14 days’ quarantine. The External Affairs Ministry should seek clarifications from China on all this,” he said.

A Bill titled Draft Regulations for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMG) 2021 has been prepared by the National Medical Commission (NMC) on April 23. It is proposed to be introduced in Parliament in June. “According to that, all students after completing the MBBS course should register for the National Exit Test (NEXT) to assess the knowledge of pre- and para-clinical subjects as well. While students here should pass two papers, those who have passed their exams from abroad should pass an additional paper to qualify the screening test. Also, they must pass these three papers within a gap of two years of completing the MBBS course abroad. We want the government to extend the stipulation of two years to five years,” he added.

“There are a large number of senior students from Kerala alone who have been unable to return and complete their practicals. I hope China will clarify that WHO-approved vaccines are also recognised,” said Fadhl Mohammed Sageer, a second-year medical student at the Southeast University in Nanjing, China.

Chennai police to tighten vigil as riders misuse privilege

Chennai police to tighten vigil as riders misuse privilege

Over 13% of motorists are on streets without any proper reason

Published: 30th May 2021 06:53 AM |

Hundreds of two-wheelers seized for violation of lockdown norms parked at Kancheepuram collector office ground on Saturday | Ashwin prasath

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Chennai city police have identified that over 13 per cent of motorists on the streets during lockdown are out without any proper reason, carrying e-pass or ID cards of essential workers. Chennai police chief Shankar Jiwal has come up with ways to curb unnecessary movement of vehicles and has given specific instructions to the personnel on ground.

While lockdown regulations are being strictly enforced, regulations exempt staff of several government departments in the city along with employees of airport, port, railways, telecom service providers, essential workers and delivery agents.

Police Commissioner Shankar Jiwal

“We were initially in a fix over keeping vehicular movement down. Firstly, apart from raising checkpoints we started sectoral checkpoints where people living in a small area can afford to buy essentials within that limit. Though there were some unpleasant arguments, after a few days, vehicle movement came down,” said Shankar Jiwal, Commissioner, Greater Chennai City Police.

The police placed 10 important junctions around the city under surveillance and while checking vehicles, profiled the motorists under several categories like media, health staff, government employees, delivery agents and so on. The Commissioner said that over 37% of the people were going for medical emergencies or were medical staff.

“However it was evident that people were misusing this privilege on several instances. Once, a motorist stopped by personnel at a checkpost claimed he was going to settle medical fees and that he must hurry. When the police asked the man to dial the person at the hospital, the caller on the other end was surprised to hear that he was at a hospital, because he was at his house,” said Shankar Jiwal.

Similarly, a doctor was caught while on his way to pick up his girlfriend. In some instances, if there is e-registration, the person driving the vehicle and the name on the e-pass is different.

If there is any problem leading to unpleasant arguments at checkpoints, the personnel have been advised to record a video of the motorist and the incident. “Police can start by introducing himself and on record can ask the motorist where he is going. This can be used in the future if there is any problem,” said Shankar Jiwal.

While police are provided an eight-hour shift at checkpoints, the Commissioner has advised to increase the personnel strength so that half of them can take a break of two hours as heat can affect them. “Everyday, we are coming up with new strategies to keep vehicular movement down. Now we have formed two different lanes at important checkpoints. This is because medical vehicles can ply freely without waiting,” said the Commissioner.

வெளிநாட்டில் மருத்துவம் படித்தவர்களுக்கான ஓராண்டு பயிற்சி; ரூ.6 லட்சம் கட்டணம் செலுத்த முடியாமல் மருத்துவ மாணவர்கள் தவிப்பு: அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லூரி மருத்துவமனைகளுக்கு பயிற்சி மாற்றப்பட்டதால் சிக்கல்

வெளிநாட்டில் மருத்துவம் படித்தவர்களுக்கான ஓராண்டு பயிற்சி; ரூ.6 லட்சம் கட்டணம் செலுத்த முடியாமல் மருத்துவ மாணவர்கள் தவிப்பு: அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லூரி மருத்துவமனைகளுக்கு பயிற்சி மாற்றப்பட்டதால் சிக்கல்

சென்னை

The Hindu Tamil 

https://www.hindutamil.in/news/tamilnadu/676527-foreign-medical-students-2.html

வெளிநாடுகளில் மருத்துவம் படித்தவர்களுக்கான ஓராண்டு பயிற்சி மருத்துவர் பணி அரசுமருத்துவக் கல்லூரி மருத்துவமனைகளுக்கு மாற்றப்பட்டதால், ரூ.6 லட்சம் கட்டணம் செலுத்த முடியாமல் அவர்கள் தவித்து வருகின்றனர்.

ரஷ்யா, பிலிப்பைன்ஸ், சீனா உள்ளிட்ட நாடுகளில் மருத்துவம் படித்துவிட்டு இந்தியா வருபவர்கள் இந்திய மருத்துவக் கவுன்சில் நடத்தும் எஃப்எம்ஜிஇ (FMGE) என்ற தகுதித் தேர்வை எழுதி தேர்ச்சி பெற வேண்டும். பின்னர், அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்ட அரசுஅல்லது தனியார் மருத்துவமனையில் பயிற்சி மருத்துவராக ஓராண்டு பணியாற்ற வேண்டும்.

தமிழகத்தில் அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லூரிகள், மாவட்ட தலைமை மருத்துவமனைகள் மற்றும் தனியார் மருத்துவமனைகளில் ஆண்டுதோறும் குறிப்பிட்ட விகிதத்தில்தான் வெளிநாட்டில் மருத்துவம் படித்தவர்களுக்கு ஓராண்டு பயிற்சிமருத்துவராக பணியாற்ற வாய்ப்புவழங்கப்படுகிறது. நடப்பாண்டில் கரோனா வைரஸ் தொற்று பாதிப்புஅதிகமாக இருப்பதால் வழக்கத்தைவிட கூடுதலானவர்களுக்கு வாய்ப்பு வழங்கப்பட்டது.

80 பேருக்கு அனுமதி

அதன்படி, மருத்துவம் மற்றும் ஊரக நலப்பணிகள் துறை (டிஎம்எஸ்) மூலம் காஞ்சிபுரம், கடலூர், ஈரோடு ஆகிய மாவட்ட தலைமை மருத்துவமனைகளில் ஓராண்டு பயிற்சி மருத்துவராக பணியாற்ற 80 பேருக்கு அனுமதி வழங்கப்பட்டிருந்தது.

தற்போது அந்த உத்தரவை ரத்து செய்து 80 பேரும் மருத்துவக் கல்வி இயக்ககத்தின் (டிஎம்இ) கீழ் செயல்படும் சென்னை மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி, கீழ்ப்பாக்கம் மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி, ஸ்டான்லி மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி, ஓமந்தூரார் மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி மருத்துவமனைகளுக்கு மாற்றப்பட்டுள்ளனர். அவர்கள் தமிழ்நாடு டாக்டர் எம்ஜிஆர் மருத்துவப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் தடையில்லாச் சான்றை பெற்று சமர்ப்பிக்கவேண்டும் என கடந்த 25-ம் தேதிஅரசாணை வெளியிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.

ஓராண்டு பயிற்சி மருத்துவராக பணியாற்ற மாவட்ட தலைமை மருத்துவமனைகளில் ரூ.2 முதல் 3 லட்சம் வரையும், மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி மருத்துவமனைகளில் ரூ.6 லட்சத்துக்கு அதிகமாகவும் கட்டணம் செலுத்த வேண்டியுள்ளது. அதனால், பெரும்பாலானோர்மாவட்ட தலைமை மருத்துவமனைகளில் பணியாற்ற விண்ணப்பிக்கின்றனர். தற்போது மாவட்ட தலைமை மருத்துவமனைகளில் பணியாற்ற அனுமதி வழங்கப்பட்டிருந்த 80 பேர், மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி மருத்துவமனைகளுக்கு மாற்றப்பட்டுள்ளதால் ரூ.6 லட்சம் பணம் கட்ட முடியாமல் தவித்து வருகின்றனர்.

வரும் ஜூன் 1-ம் தேதிக்குள் பயிற்சியில் சேருகிறீர்களா, இல்லையா என்பதை தமிழ்நாடு டாக்டர் எம்ஜிஆர் மருத்துவப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் தெரிவிக்க வேண்டும். அப்படி பயிற்சியில் சேர விருப்பமில்லை என்றால், அதற்கான காரணத்தை தெரிவிக்க வேண்டும் என்று மாணவர்களுக்கு சுற்றறிக்கை அனுப்பப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதனால், மாணவர்களும், அவர்களின் பெற்றோரும் பணத்துக்கு என்ன செய்வதென்று தெரியாமல் குழப்பத்தில் உள்ளனர்.

இதுதொடர்பாக வெளிநாடுகளில் மருத்துவம் படித்து பயிற்சி மருத்துவராக பணியாற்ற காத்திருப்பவர்கள் கூறியதாவது:

தமிழகத்தில் கரோனா வைரஸ் தொற்று அதிகமாக இருப்பதால், இந்த ஆண்டு வழக்கத்தைவிட கூடுதலானவர்களுக்கு ஓராண்டு பயிற்சி மருத்துவராக பணியாற்றி வாய்ப்பு வழங்கிய தமிழக அரசுக்குநன்றி. 80 பேருக்கும் அனுமதி வழங்கப்பட்டிருந்த காஞ்சிபுரம், கடலூர், ஈரோடு ஆகிய மாவட்ட தலைமை மருத்துவமனைகளில் பணியாற்ற அனுமதிக்க வேண்டும். மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி மருத்துவமனைகளுக்கு மாற்றினால், இந்த பெருந்தொற்று காலத்தில் திடீரென்று ரூ.6 லட்சம் பணத்துக்கு எங்கே செல்ல முடியும்?

சென்னையில் உள்ள 4 அரசுமருத்துவக் கல்லூரி மருத்துவமனைகளில் மட்டும் பணியாற்ற அனுமதி வழங்கப்பட்டிருப்பதால், வெளியூரைச் சேர்ந்தவர்களுக்கு ரூ.6 லட்சம் கட்டணத்துடன் தங்குமிடம், உணவுக்கு கூடுதலாக ரூ.2 லட்சம் வரை செலவாகும்.அதனால், 80 பேருக்கும் மாவட்டதலைமை மருத்துவமனைகளில் பணியாற்ற அனுமதி வழங்க வேண்டும். இல்லையென்றால், மாவட்ட தலைமை மருத்துவமனைகளின் கட்டணத்திலேயே மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி மருத்துவமனைகளில் பணி செய்ய அனுமதிக்க வேண்டும். இவ்வாறு அவர்கள் தெரிவித் தனர்.

கல்வியாளர்களிடம் கேட்டபோது, “தமிழகத்தில் வெளிநாடுகளில் மருத்துவம் படித்த 1,000-க்கும் மேற்பட்டோர் ஓராண்டு பயிற்சிக்காக காத்திருக்கின்றனர். அவர்கள் இந்த பயிற்சியை முடித்தால் தான் மருத்துவராக பணியாற்ற முடியும். பெருந்தொற்று காலத்தில் மருத்துவர்களின் தேவைஅதிகமாக இருப்பதால், அவர்கள்அனைவரையும் கரோனா சிகிச்சைக்கு தமிழக அரசு பயன்படுத்திக் கொள்ள வேண்டும். அவர்களுக்கு பயிற்சிக் கட்டணத்தில் இருந்து விலக்கு அளிக்க வேண்டும்” என்றனர்.