Gold jewellery ‘stolen’ from Covid victim’s body

Gold jewellery ‘stolen’ from Covid victim’s body

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bhopal:31.05.2021 

Jewellery worth Rs 1.5 lakh went missing from a 55-year-old Covid-19 victim at a private hospital in Bhopal on April 22. A case has been registered at Kolar police station on Saturday after the son of deceased approached CM Helpline.

Sarthak, 25, who is a law student and a resident of Kamla Nagar locality, told TOI that on April 17, he admitted his mother Alpana, 55, to a private hospital in Kolar after she tested Covid positive. “My mother’s condition was stable when he admitted her, but with each passing day, her condition deteriorated. On the day of my birthday on April 22, I was informed that she has succumbed to Covid,” said Sarthak. When he went to the hospital, he was shocked to find that the gold and silver ornaments including, mangalsutra, bangles, earrings and nose ring were missing from her body.

He said that when he enquired about the jewellery from hospital management, they gave him “fake” ornaments wrapped in a plastic bag, adding that without raising any further questions he took her mother’s body for funeral ceremony. Hospital management refused to comment.

“After13 days, when he approached Kolar police station to lodge a complaint, they asked him to wait outside citing Covid protocol. He then, approached CM Helpline and got registered a complaint after 24 days” said Joshi adding that he was regretting his decision to admitting his mother at such a hospital.

Police said that a case of theft has been registered and investigations are underway.

Notably, it was the same private hospital that was in news for black marketing of Remdesivir and hospital staffers were booked by the police for Remdesivir injections and to administer only saline to Covid patients for whom the injection the brought for.

Wait 6 wks for surgery after Covid, says ICMR

Wait 6 wks for surgery after Covid, says ICMR

Umesh.Isalkar@timesgroup.com

Pune:  31.05.2021 

Recovered Covid patients opting for non-urgent or elective surgeries are being asked by surgeons to go for repeat RT-PCR/antigen tests as part of pre-operative protocols. However, experts from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the national task force for Covid-19 have advised against repeating Covid tests within 102 days of recovery, citing presence of “non-viable dead-virus particles” that stay in the body for a while.

These virus remnants cannot transmit the illness but can cause a false positive test result. The experts said surgeons should consider performing a non-urgent surgery on a Covid-recovered patient only after six weeks of recovery to ensure faster healing and convalescence post-surgery.

Govt offices to function with 100% officers from June 1

Govt offices to function with 100% officers from June 1

Bhopal:31.05.2021 

The Madhya Pradesh government under its plan for graded or phase-wise unlocking of the 'Corona Curfew' restrictions, has announced offices to function with made 100% officers and 50% employees from June1.

After the surge in Covid-19 cases in April, the state had restricted the presence of employees in government offices to 10%. According to state government release the new order will be in force till June 15. All officials and employees must follow the Covid-19 guidelines, the release said on Sunday. “The government offices, except those engaged in essential services, will be opened and operated with all100% officers and 50% (other) employees from June 1,” the order said. TNN

Rise in post-Covid stroke & heart attack cases: Docs

Rise in post-Covid stroke & heart attack cases: Docs

Sumitra.DebRoy@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:31.05.2021 

A mild bout of Covid-19 took a drastic turn for a 36-year-old Kamothe resident who suffered from a brain stroke and is now battling paralysis. Chandrashekar Reddy, father of two and the family’s main breadwinner, is barely able to sit up now after over a month. Doctors say a complete recovery could take more than six months, a second brain surgery and intensive physiotherapy.

Reddy’s case, however, is not rare. Doctors have increasingly been seeing cases of stroke and heart attacks in patients who are recuperating or have recovered from Covid. In the second wave, doctors are particularly seeing a delayed presentation of these complications — sometimes up to 2 months after the patient has been discharged from hospital. Worryingly, neurologists say the high incidence of stroke is also seen in patients battling mucormycosis, the invasive fungal disease.

The state Covid taskforce has also asked doctors to focus on post-Covid cerebrovascular complications.

Dr Viswanathan Iyer, a brain and spine surgeon who operated on Reddy, said it was his fourth such surgery since the end of April. In Reddy’s case, he had to perform a decompression surgery since there was a large clot on the right side of the brain. The surgery is done to remove the bone and give space to accommodate brain swelling. “The systemic inflammation sends the body in some kind of hypercoagulable state, where the blood thickens, making the patient prone to suffer from a stroke,” he said.

At KEM Hospital, neurologist Dr Nitin Dange said they have seen over 20 cases of strokes, heart attacks and aggravation of deep vein thrombosis in patients who have recovered from Covid.

In the second wave, doctors are seeing a delayed presentation of complications — sometimes up to 2 months after the patient has been discharged from hospital

Gold recovered from burglar’s stomach

Gold recovered from burglar’s stomach

Mangaluru:31.05.2021 

Dakshina Kannada district police have arrested two burglars and seized 182 grams of gold, including 35 grams of jewellery which was swallowed by one of them.

Tangacha, 50, resident of Kannur district in, Kerala and Shibu, from Thrissur had broken into Mohan Jewellery, in Sullia, on April 1 and decamped with 180 grams of gold valued at Rs 7.5 lakh and Rs 50,000.

The duo was arrested on Saturday and gold worth Rs 6.6 lakh was seized. Tangacha was sent to judicial custody. Hours after the arrest, Shibu complained of abdominal pain. A radiography report revealed jewellery in his intestine. On Sunday morning, 35 grams of gold was recovered from him. Shibu told police that he swallowed the jewellery with ice cream. TNN

BNU will offer Covid quota from next year

IN PG COURSES

BNU will offer Covid quota from next year

For Students Who Lost Breadwinner

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:31.05.2021 

Bengaluru North University (BNU) plans to reserve a seat each in all its postgraduate programmes for students who have lost the breadwinner of their family to Covid-19.

The Covid quota will be introduced from the next academic year in all its 26 PG programmes. The reservation will be open to undergraduate students from its own university. In case, there are no students from BNU-affiliated colleges for a course, candidates from other universities will be considered.

The proposal will be passed in the syndicate meeting next week. The syndicate will also discuss fee concession or scholarships for such students. “We have been discussing ways to help such students. We happened to hear about mutts that are willing to educate children, who have lost their parents. Since we are at the higher education level, we thought we could extend help in the PG programmes,” said BNU vicechancellor, TD Kemparaju.

The university, however, does not have statistics on how many students and their families have been affected by the pandemic.

“Some may not have enough marks to join the general merit list. Some others might not have the financial support. But nobody should lose a chance because of it. Finding a job is tough, even though they might have to start earning for their families. We do not know how many will be ready to pursue PG, but we are ready to support whoever is willing,” he added.

Regular intake varies with each course and ranges between 30-60. The programmes already have quotas for NSS, NCC, transgenders and single girl child, among others.

Long stay in jail not ground for bail in murder case, says court

Long stay in jail not ground for bail in murder case, says court

Bengaluru:31.05.2021

A two-and-a-half-year stay in jail cannot be a ground to grant bail in a murder case, considering the nature/gravity of the offence and its impact on the society, the high court has said.

The court made this observation while rejecting a bail petition filed by Syed Shabeer alias Shabbir from DJ Halli, who was arrested for allegedly stabbing Syed Wasim to death. Wasim, who refused to give him money to buy ganja, was killed on 9th Cross Road at 11.30am on November 6, 2019.

Shabbir approached the high court claiming that he’s been in judicial custody for some time and there are no eye-witnesses to the incident. However, Justice PN Desai pointed out the offence under section 302 of IPC is punishable with death or imprisonment for life. “The material indicates there are eye-witnesses and the medical evidence supports the allegation made by the prosecution. The incident took place in broad daylight which definitely had an impact on the society and public at large. The attack was for an illegal gain. The attack with a deadly weapon was on a very vital part of the body i.e., chest. All these acts show the intention to cause death or such bodily injury likely to cause death in all probabilities,” the judge noted. TNN

AICTE norms bind all institutions under its umbrella: HC

AICTE norms bind all institutions under its umbrella: HC

Vasantha.Kumar@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:31,05.2021 

The regulations of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), including the prescriptions and standards, bind all those institutions governed by it, the high court has said.

The court made this observation while holding that a professor of a Tumakuru private engineering college is entitled to continue in service till he attains the age of 65 in terms of AICTE norms.

Justice M Nagaprasanna pointed out that in the JP Unnikrishnan Vs State of Andhra Pradesh case, a constitution bench of the Supreme Court has held that recognition/ approval of institutions cannot be unconditional and the top court has reiterated that what applies to the main activity applies equally to supplemental activity as well.

Allowing the petition filed by GR Bharath Sai Kumar, who is working as a professor at Siddaganga Institute of Technology, the judge noted that if uniformity is not adopted by affiliated institutions, arbitrariness will creep in and every institution will impose service conditions at their whim and fancy.

Quashing the December 3, 2019 communication/notice issued by the college management seeking to retire the petitioner at the age of 60, the judge has added he is entitled to all the consequential benefits. Born on December 18,1960, Bharath Sai Kumar was appointed as a lecturer on April 1,1985 in the department of mechanical engineering. At the relevant point of time, he was working as a professor. The institute issued a memo on December 3, 2019 declaring the staff who would retire in 2020. The petitioner was shown to retire on December 31, 2020.

Bharath challenged this memo. He claimed the institute being governed by AICTE and as per its norms, a professor like him is entitled to continue in service till 65 years. He contended that even a VTU professor is continued in service till 62. Bharath continued in service on the strength of an interim order passed by HC on December 30, 2020.

The institute claimed it is an unaided educational institution and the petition is not maintainable. Another contention raised was that determination of age of superannuation is a matter of policy of the institute and there can be no application of any order of the government or the AICTE. The government submitted that the age of retirement of employees of the institute is not being regulated by it. AICTE argued it has been issuing notifications from time to time making it applicable to all degree-level technical institutions and all service conditions including retirement.

Vaccination cert in dead man’s name in Upleta

Vaccination cert in dead man’s name in Upleta

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Rajkot:31.05.2021 

“Dear Hardas Karangia, you have successfully been vaccinated with your first dose with Covishield on May 29” — an innocuous message on Arvind Karangia’s mobile phone left this resident of Upleta town of Rajkot district and his entire clan shocked. Reason: Nearly three years ago, Hardas Karangia, 55, had died on August 22, 2018.

“When we received this message about vaccination for our late uncle, we were shocked. When we downloaded the certificate of vaccination, it was issued in the name of the late Hardas Karangia. How can this be possible? Something must be wrong and my late uncle’s Aadhaar card may have been misused. Government should investigate this matter thoroughly,” Arvind told media persons on Sunday.

According to Karangia, the particular vaccination was done at Samajwadi Health Centre in Upleta taluka of Rajkot district.

Arvind Karangia with the death certificate of uncle Hardas

Health officer orders probe

On the one hand, people are not getting vaccination slots and are having to stand in long queues for hours together, on the other hand vaccination certificates are being issued in the name of the dead!” Karangia added.

Nilesh Shah, chief district health officer (CDHO), Rajkot district, told TOI, “The matter has come to our notice and we have ordered an inquiry into it. If anyone is found indulging in any malpractices in the vaccination programme, a criminal case will be lodged.”

According to sources, till now 3.12 lakh doses of vaccination have been administered in Rajkot district, of which 2.63 lakh are first doses and over 76 lakh are second doses.

In Coimbatore, 91 kids have lost a parent or both

In Coimbatore, 91 kids have lost a parent or both

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Coimbatore:31.05.2021 

The office of the district child protection officer (DCPO) has identified 91 children aged below 18 years who have lost their parent(s) to Covid-19 as on Sunday. Of them, family members of 53 children have sought monetary assistance from the government for their survival.

On Saturday, chief minister MK Stalin announced that the state government will deposit Rs 5 lakh in the name of the children orphaned by Covid-19 and Rs 3 lakh to those who lost one parent. Children who have lost their parents to COVID-19 and staying with relatives or guardians will be given a monthly allowance of Rs 3,000 till they turn18.

An official from the DPCO office said, “Based on the Covid-19 death record prepared by the health department, we are studying the family details of every deceased to identify whether they were parents of children aged below 18 years. Of the 1,104 Covid-19 deaths recorded, we have completed verifying the details of 850.”

“We have identified 91 children who had lost either one or both of parents and they belong to 61 families. Single parent, relatives or guardians of these children refused to send them to government homes. Family members of 51 children who had lost one of their parents to the virus and two children who lost both their parents have sought monetary support from the government,” he said.

As of now, groceries required for three to four months was provided to 20 such families by the members of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), he added.

Recently, Viviyan Jayaraj, 15, and his brother Samuel Ebenezer, 8, lost their parents and maternal grandmother to Covid-19. Now, they are under the care of their paternal grandmother Saradha, 69.

Saradha said, “The children are crying and constantly speaking about their parents ever since their demise. For a change, I have brought them to my daughter’s house in Mettupalayam. We can stay at one of my three daughters’ place for a while, but we cannot do that permanently. So, I have decided to rent a house near my daughter’s house and raise the children on my own.”

Paediatric wards across TN gear up to shield kids from third wave

Paediatric wards across TN gear up to shield kids from third wave

Hospitals In Districts Ramp Up Infra

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:31.05.2021 

Paediatric wards at major Covid-19 care facilities in Tamil Nadu say they are prepared and have enough beds in case more children get infected in the coming months.

In Chennai, the Institute of Child Health (ICH) has 160 Covid beds in two different blocks. Since not many children require hospitalisation, only 15 are admitted and under treatment at present.

Around 100 beds have been handed over to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), which witnessed acute bed shortage last week, to treat adults, said a senior ICH doctor.

"If there is a population shift in the virus and we require more children's beds, we have made plans to convert adult beds to paediatric beds. Treatment and management protocols are ready," said Srinivasan, senior paediatrician and state nodal officer for neonatal care.

Jayanthi Vishwanathan, senior consultant - paediatrics, Gleneagles Global Health City hospital, said that they have an isolated cubicle ready but the challenge would be to allow only one parent with a child. Usually they take turns.

Even in other parts of the state such as Trichy, many hospitals have started adding oxygen-supported beds in paediatric wards anticipating a spike.

"Ideally a paediatric ward can accommodate 40-50 patients at major hospitals such as Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government hospital, Trichy and the capacity is going to double in a few days," said Dr K Senthil Kumar, nodal officer, special newborn care unit, Trichy district. Theintegrated child development services in the district were calling up parents of child below five to check on Covid infection.

In Madurai, the district administration has intensified screening by testing everyone in children's homes as 11 at a home in Samayanallur got infected. According to official data, all 37 districts have at least 25 neonatal beds and 100 paediatric beds each."We have already converted most of them as oxygen beds. In addition there are at least six paediatric resuscitation and emergency beds in all districts," said Srinivasan.

Dr Balasubramanian of Kanchi Kamakoti Child Trust Hospital said he was glad the government was finally adding more ICU facilities for children, which might be useful later. But panic is unwarranted because only one per cent of children would require hospitalization, he said.

"Because of lockdown and Covid-related fear, routine cases have dropped in paediatric hospitals. At our hospital, only 65 of the 205 beds are occupied. None of them Covid patients. This is the scenario in most hospitals. So there was no need to panic," he added.

As far as treatment is concerned, Dr Jayanthi Viswanathan said, "Unlike adults, we currently don't witness many children with bad lung involvement...," she added.

Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation says it has placed adequate orders for medicines, masks and disposables for paediatric care.

(With inputs from Sampath Kumar and V Devanathan)

‘Don’t test for Covid within 102 days of recovery’

‘Don’t test for Covid within 102 days of recovery’

Umesh.Isalkar@timesgroup.com

Pune:31.05.2021

Recovered Covid patients opting for non-urgent or elective surgeries are being asked by surgeons to go for repeat RT-PCR/ antigen tests as part of pre-operative protocols. However, experts from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the national task force for Covid-19 have advised against repeating Covid tests within102 days of recovery, citing presence of “nonviable dead-virus particles” that stay in the body for a while.

These virus remnants cannot transmit the illness but can cause a false positive test result. The experts said surgeons should consider performing a nonurgent surgery on a Covid-recovered patient only after six weeks of recovery to ensure faster healing and convalescence postsurgery.

“At present, Covid reinfection is confirmed only after 102 days of diagnosis. So, retesting within this time frame is not advisable,” said infectious diseases expert Sanjay Pujari, a member of the task force.

“Also, a minimum period of six weeks prior to non-urgent surgery is recommended for Covid-recovered patients who were symptomatic. As for emergency surgeries in recovering or recovered patients, these must be done immediately with due precautions,” Pujari said.

Covid treatment: Banks offer unsecured loans of up to ₹5L

Covid treatment: Banks offer unsecured loans of up to ₹5L

₹100Cr For New Health Units

Retail Loan Rejig Window Opens

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai:31.05.2021

Banks will offer off-the-shelf unsecured loans of up to ₹ 5 lakh to individuals for Covid treatment, and business loans up to Rs 100 crore for setting up healthcare facilities.

The launch of the new schemes was announced by SBI chairman Dinesh Khara and Indian Banks’ Association chairman Rajkiran Rai on Sunday. Khara said that SBI has decided to price its unsecured loans at 8.5%.

The bankers also provided an update on the restructuring offer made to small businesses under the scheme announced by the RBI earlier this month. Rai said that up to April, banks did not see any problem in the servicing of loans. However, in May, there was a drop in collections but it was too early to get an idea of the number.

Individuals seeking a restructuring of loans can make an application on the bank’s website or manually submit the proposal.

Both the borrower and the bank will have to agree to a resolution plan within 30 days of the application and September 30 would be the last day for finalising the resolution plan.

Khara said that public sector banks have formulated a templated approach for restructuring loans to individuals, small businesses and MSMEs for up to Rs 25 crore. He said that banks would be proactive and would reach out to eligible customers through bulk SMS messages and offer-cum-acceptance would be generated and sent electronically.

The personal loans would be available to all individuals for treatment of self or family member. The minimum loan amount would be Rs 25,000 and the term would be for a maximum of five years. The RBI had encouraged lenders to provide such loans earlier this month by offering to refinance up to ₹50,000 crore with priority sector status for such advances. While banks have financed oxygen plants and vaccine manufacturers in May 2020, the standardised packages are expected to speed up disbursement.

The business loans would be available for anyone engaged in building and servicing healthcare infrastructures such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, diagnostic centres and pathology labs. It will be available for greenfield investments as well as for adding to existing capacity. The quantum of loan, which will be for a tenure of up to 10 years, will be ₹100 crore for metro centres, ₹20 crore for tier-1 and urban centres, and ₹10 crore for smaller towns.

TN gives three mths to renew employment registrations

TN gives three mths to renew employment registrations

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:31.05.20121

The Tamil Nadu government has given three months time to candidates, who failed to renew their employment registrations in the past three years — from 2017 to 2019 — to renew it before July28.

The state government has passed a government order (GO) giving an opportunity to the candidates to renew their registration.

“The candidates can renew their registration online at http://tnvelaivaaippu.gov.in/ till July 28. In case they are not able to renew it online, they can apply through a register post to the concerned employment office for renewal,” the order said.

More than 80 lakh people have registered with the employment exchange for the jobs in the state.

Candidates, who failed to renew their employment registrations in the past three years — from 2017 to 2019 — can renew it before July 28

Online apps resume delivery of mutton, chicken; fish still scarce

REGULAR MEAT STALLS STAY SHUT

Online apps resume delivery of mutton, chicken; fish still scarce

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:31.05.2021

City residents can access meat and fish at the click of a button as online outlets have resumed operations after nearly a week. But, the price of mutton has been jacked up by ₹150 to ₹300 a kg compared to the first week of May.

Till Saturday, fish and meat were door delivered only by a few local meat shops and service providers, who took orders on messaging apps and delivered within a day. All fish and meat stalls remained shut.

On Sunday, mutton was sold for ₹850 to ₹1,200 a kg through various apps and the same quantity of chicken was sold for a flat rate of ₹240. Only some varieties of fish were available through online apps, but were sold out within an hour on Sunday.

Traders taking orders on the phone said that limited volumes of fish were available for sale as it has to be sourced from other places in view of the 45-day ban on trawling.

Former president of Chennai Poultry Wholesalers Association J Rajkumar said all meat shops are closed in the city.

"We are permitted to offer meat to eateries and restaurants in the current lockdown. Traders with access to online food aggregators and taking orders on the phone also deliver at doorsteps of residents," he said.

Meanwhile, retail chains are delivering vegetables within a couple of days, though people depending on home delivery apps were facing logistical issues due to the intensified lockdown.

P L Muthu, operations head of a city-based online delivery app providing grocery and vegetables, said that the frequency of sourcing vegetables from different parts of Tamil Nadu has been affected by the intensified lockdown.

"Moreover, home delivery apps are facing shortage for manpower, which is delaying the delivery time in Chennai," he added.

For Kovalam residents, it pays to get a shot

 For Kovalam residents, it pays to get a shot

Trusts Offer Gold, Bike & Fridge For Getting Covid Jabs

Ram.Sundraram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:31.05.2021 

If you’re a resident of Kovalam near Chennai, it pays to get a jab. No, we are not talking about the concomitant medical benefits of Covid-19 inoculation, but free gifts in the form of gold coin, two-wheeler, refrigerator, washing machine, blender, grinder, mobile phone and sarees. And the icing on the cake — a plateful of scrumptious biryani for all to swallow the small pain of the prick. The gifts will be distributed based on a lucky draw.

Three welfare trusts from the city’s picturesque coastal neighbourhood — STS Foundation, managed by Kovalam youngsters; CN Ramadas Champions Development Trust run in memory of a retired IAS officer; and 1992 Don Bosco School alumni group in Chennai — have pooled in ₹50 lakh to bankroll the scheme.

Before the camp was launched, only 50 residents of the area’s 6,000-odd population had received their shots till Friday.

To make everyone count, the Good Samaritans launched the scheme on Saturday with the help of a five-member medical team from Kelambakkam Primary Health Centre. Free vaccines will be supplied for the camp by the Chengalpet district collectorate.

On the first day of the camp on Saturday, 100 got their jabs, said J Sundar, trustee of STS Foundation. Close to 500 have registered to get vaccinated in the coming days, he said.

R Girish from CN Ramadas Trust said that there was misinformation doing the rounds about vaccines and a lot of people were unwilling to get the jabs even if it was free.

OPEN INVITATION: (Left) An elderly woman inaugurates the vaccination camp on Saturday. Gifts meant for participants displayed at the camp

Volunteers aim to make Kovalam TN’s 1st 100% vaccinated locality

RGireesh, “So we needed a strategy which has to be exciting and help people overcome the hesitancy. We hope these prizes and briyani will bring more people to the camp.”

The volunteers have roped in Tamil TV actors to make short awareness videos which they have circulated on local Whatsapp groups.

The volunteers’ aim is to make Kovalam the first 100% vaccinated locality in the state. They are also planning to mobilise funds from their friends and acquaintances in the US, the UK and other foreign countries.

They want to repeat their campaign in 10 other places in and around Chennai to inoculate at least 50,000 people.

The three welfare groups are also currently running a 15-bedded Covid care centre in Velachery with oxygen supported beds for free.

After Chennai’s Covid beds position got better, they shifted their attention to vaccination.

The volunteers have roped in Tamil TV actors to make short awareness videos. They are also planning to mobilise funds from their friends and acquaintances in the US, the UK and other foreign countries. They want to replicate the campaign in other places

BREAKING : Delhi High Court Dismisses Plea To Suspend Central Vista Project Work Amid COVID

BREAKING : Delhi High Court Dismisses Plea To Suspend Central Vista Project Work Amid COVID: The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a petition which sought to suspend the ongoing construct

High Courts Weekly Roundup [May 24, 2021 – May 30, 2021]

High Courts Weekly Roundup [May 24, 2021 – May 30, 2021]: Allahabad High Court 1.

மின் கட்டணம் கணக்கீடு எப்படி? இணையதளத்தில் வாரியம் விளக்கம்!

மின் கட்டணம் கணக்கீடு எப்படி? இணையதளத்தில் வாரியம் விளக்கம்!

Added : மே 29, 2021 22:43

சென்னை : கொரோனா பரவலால், வீடுகளில், இம்மாதம் மின் பயன்பாடு கணக்கெடுக்காத நிலையில், மின் கட்டணம் எப்படி கணக்கிடப்பட்டு, ஜூலையில் முறைப்படுத்தப்படும் என்பதற்கான விளக்கத்தை, மின் வாரியம், தன் இணையதளத்தில் வெளியிட்டுள்ளது.

ஊரடங்குதமிழக மின் வாரிய ஊழியர்கள், வீடுகளுக்கு இரு மாதங்களுக்கு ஒரு முறை நேரில் சென்று, மீட்டரில் பதிவாகியுள்ள மின் பயன்பாட்டை கணக்கெடுத்து, அதற்கான மின் கட்டணத்தை நுகர்வோரிடம் தெரிவிப்பர்.தொற்று பரவலை தடுக்க, ஊரடங்கு அமல்படுத்தப் பட்டு உள்ளது. அத்தியாவசிய துறையின் கீழ் மின் வாரியம் இடம் பெற்றாலும், கொரோனா பரவலால், வீடுகளில் மின் பயன்பாடு கணக்கெடுக்கப்படவில்லை.

இதனால், 'ஊரடங்கு காலத்தில், முந்தைய கணக்கீட்டில் இருந்து, 60வது நாள் ஆகியிருப்பின், மின் கணக்கீடு செய்ய வேண்டியவர்கள், 2019 மே கட்டணத்தை உத்தேசமாக செலுத்தலாம். குழப்பம்'அந்த கட்டணம் கூடுதலாக இருப்பதாக கருதுவோர், நடப்பாண்டு மார்ச் மாத கட்டணத்தை உத்தேசமாக செலுத்தலாம்.'அந்த கட்டணம், ஜூலையில் முறைப்படுத்தப்படும்' என, மின் வாரியம் தெரிவித்தது.இந்த முறையில், மின் கட்டணம் எப்படி கணக்கிடப்படும் என்ற குழப்பம், நுகர்வோரிடம் நிலவுகிறது. இதையடுத்து, இம்மாதம் மின் பயன்பாடு கணக்கெடுக்காத நிலையில், மின் கட்டணம் எப்படி கணக்கிடப்பட்டு, ஜூலையில் முறைப்படுத்தப்படும் என்ற மாதிரி விபரங்கள், 'www.tangedco.gov.in' என்ற, மின் வாரிய இணையதளத்தில் வெளியிடப்பட்டுஉள்ளன.

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

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.

TN: Medical Council allows FMG CRRI Training at medical colleges subject to 10 percent intake of sanctioned MBBS seats

TN: Medical Council allows FMG CRRI Training at medical colleges subject to 10 percent intake of sanctioned MBBS seats: Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) has allowed the Compulsory Rotatory Residential Internship (CRRI) training for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMG) at the state medical colleges. At the...

Make stand clear on Anandaiah’s herbal preparation

Make stand clear on Anandaiah’s herbal preparation

Narayana

He suspects foul play by pharma industry, corporate hospitals

30/05/2021

Special CorrespondentTIRUPATI

Vouching for Krishnapatnam Anandaiah’s “herbal preparation” for COVID-19, CPI national secretary K. Narayana has asked the State government to make clear its stand on administering it to the people. On Mr. Anandaiah’s “prolonged absence,” Mr. Narayana has demanded that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy “shun his silence” and spell out the future course of action on the raging issue.

Addressing the media here on Saturday, Dr. Narayana cited the presence of lakhs of traditional practitioners and natural healers across the country, and wondered why Mr. Anandaiah was being targeted in the name of Central government clearance, or research by AYUSH team.

“We have local healers administering medicine for jaundice at Kotala and bone fracture at Puttur. But there is unnecessary politics going around Mr. Anandaiah issue,” he pointed out.

Suspecting foul play by the pharma industry and corporate hospitals to either demean the “local medical recipe” or usurp it, he said the 60,000 persons who had been administered the “drug” were ample proof of its efficacy on immunity, if not for COVID-19.

"Local people have started mobilising in favour of Mr. Anandaiah, but some Cabinet Ministers are learnt to be misusing him for preparing the drug for personal use, which is condemnable. We want an answer from Mr. Jagan,” he said.

People pour into Krishnapatnam

People pour into Krishnapatnam

Govt. will decide once clarity emerges on the herbal preparation, says Minister

30/05/2021

M. Goutham Reddy

S. Murali NELLORE

Despite the State government suspending the distribution of the herbal preparation of ayurvedic practitioner B. Anandaiah of Krishnapatnam, which reportedly claims to provide a cure to COVID-19, people from different parts of the State and also neighbouring States are thronging the village hoping against hope that the government will take an early decision based on inputs from the AYUSH department.

Meanwhile, State Industries Minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy said the government would take a decision once full clarity emerged on the herbal preparation being subjected to study by Union and State Government organisations.

Getting to know that Mr. Anandaiah had returned to his village late on Friday, people from far and near thronged his house, where the Nellore Rural police beefed up security. The residents surrounded him and expressed their concern over his being kept away from the village for more than a week.

Sensing that the situation might go out of control, a special police party amid tight security once again took him away to undisclosed destination on Saturday.

Check-post

A check-post has been set up at the village entrance to prevent outsiders from entering the village in a big way. Barricades were erected at different places on the Chennai-Kolkata highway to regulate the crowd, the police said.

Telugu Desam Party national secretary Beeda Ravichandra urged the State government to end the uncertainty by taking an early decision on the herbal preparation.

While poor people who visited the village returned empty-handed, the ruling YSR Congress Pparty ensured the herbal preparation to influential persons clandestinely by holding Mr. Anandaiah on the pretext of providing security, he alleged.

Man held for cheating over 200 traders with fake payment app

Man held for cheating over 200 traders with fake payment app

He used Paytm clone to dupe people into thinking money was transferred

30/05/2021

Staff Reporter NEW DELHI

A 21-year- old man has been arrested for allegedly cheating over 200 shopkeepers using a PayTM clone, making the victims believe he paid them, the police said on Saturday.

DCP (South-West) Ingit Pratap Singh said the accused has been identified as Kunal Sharma alias Sonu from Uttam Nagar.

The case came to the fore when a general store owner in Palam Village, Ramesh Kumar, complained to the police that on May 20, a man came to his shop to buy refined oil for ₹2,560.

During payment, the man allegedly told the victim that he is not carrying cash and asked if he accepted payment via Paytm.

Next, Mr. Kumar gave him his Paytm QR code for scanning. The accused told Mr. Kumar that his mobile phone camera was broken, and he would pay him using the victim’s number on Paytm.

“Then the accused took the shopkeeper’s mobile number and entered it in the spoof app. Next, a notification similar to that of Paytm flashed on the accused’ mobile screen which he showed to Mr. Kumar,” the officer said, adding that the complainant got an impression that the payment was done. The accused also forwarded a pre-drafted message regarding his payment to the complainant.

A probe was taken up and Sharma was arrested. During interrogation, he allegedly told the police that he has cheated more than 200 shopkeepers this way.

Sharma is a Class X graduate and currently unemployed. “As he is well versed with online payment apps, he hatched this conspiracy to cheat shopkeepers,” Mr. Singh said.

RT-PCR report with QR code must for flyers

RT-PCR report with QR code must for flyers

Forged test reports pose concern

30/05/2021

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

The Civil Aviation Ministry has made a negative RT-PCR test report with QR code mandatory for those flying out of the country.

Airlines operating on international routes as per bubble agreements have already enforced the rule following reports of passengers procuring fake reports.

Laboratories have started providing QR codes on RT-PCR test reports after instances of editing of reports to show a negative result to meet the regulatory requirements have come to notice.

Air India Express, which operates 16 international flights, has informed passengers having negative RT-PCR report, to ensure that it has a QR code linking to the original report.

Airline officials in Kerala say instances of fake RT-PCR reports have been reported from the northern region of the country. Cases of flyers testing positive for COVID-19 in tests conducted immediately after reaching the airports have also forced the Civil Aviation Ministry to intervene.

Besides preventing the use of false and forged negative RT-PCR reports at airports, the QR-coded certificate will ensure that the test reports are authentic.

Airline sources say flyers need not worry much about the new directive as several airports have introduced express testing facilities. Effective Saturday, all travellers entering or transiting or transferring through Singapore should take COVID-19 RT-PCR test within 72 hours of their departure for Singapore.

‘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.