Footfalls at rly stns, airport up as many return to city following relaxations

Footfalls at rly stns, airport up as many return to city following relaxations

Trains From South TN Full; Most Have To Return To Work

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:15.06.2021 

People who left the city before the lockdown was imposed have started returning since more relaxations kicked in on Monday. Tambaram and Egmore railway stations saw a good crowd that arrived by early morning trains in the past two days.

The number of flights and passengers arriving at Chennai airport outnumbered departures in the past two days. On June 13, there were 53 flight arrivals and 50 departures, with 4,744 reaching the city while only 3,898 left. An airport official said there has been a marginal increase in passenger arrivals in the past few days and airlines are increasing services to Chennai.

Sleeper class coaches in trains that arrived from southern towns were full on Monday. Most of the people were returning from their hometowns to the city for work. As crowds swelled, physical distancing norms and mask compliance were not followed at the railway stations.

Bhagavat Kumar, who travelled from Kanyakumari by KanyaKumari Express, said, “The reserved coaches were full. Many tickets were available a few days ago for travel on Sunday. But they sold out fast soon after the government announced new relaxations later in the week. Tatkal bookings were quick on Saturday for travel by Sunday evening train.” Kumar decided to return to Chennai as he needed to report to office for work. “Most of the people in my coach were returning to the city to join work,” he added.

Many passengers arrived early in the morning and waited for autos and cabs outside the Tambaram station. It took some time for the crowd to clear out as there weren’t enough vehicles available for hire.

A railway official said more people arrived by Sunday morning trains at Egmore and Tambaram railway stations. “Egmore alone saw around 8,000 passengers arriving on Sunday. The number was marginally low on Monday morning as many had reached the city a day early to report to work,” he added.

As rail traffic has increased on inter-state trains to major metros, railways will resume the bi-weekly Rajdhani special to Nizamuddin from June 18 and have already started a special on Yesvantpur-Howrah via Katpadi route.

Similarly, railways have increased frequency of Hatia-Yesvantpur-Hatia special passing via Katpadi, Jolarpet from weekly on June 6. An additional sleeper class coach and an AC III tier coach will be added to Nagercoil – Gandhidham-Nagercoil special from June 22.

BACK TO THE CAPITAL: People who arrived by trains early in the morning had to wait outside Tambaram railway station as enough autos, cabs were not available

Air travel to resume for those who are vaccinated

Air travel to resume for those who are vaccinated

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:15.06.2021 

After a lull, international travel is set to resume for travellers who have been vaccinated.

Notifications by Spain, Netherlands, France, Mauritius, Russia and Croatia to allow vaccinated travellers with or without negative RT-PCR reports in the coming weeks has brought cheer for travellers and the travel industry.

Those who have taken the vaccine and carry a negative report will be exempted from the 14 days quarantine, a stumbling block that stopped people from travelling.

Travel and tour operators say the easing of curbs will help people in the city who are waiting to travel for education, work and for leisure and expect to improve confidence among the travellers. Slots for US visas is also recording a high demand.

However, the hesitancy shown by Singapore and Malaysia is considered a drawback because these two destinations were once quite popular among travellers for leisure, education and work, tour operators said.

Subhash Goyal, chairman, Stic Travel Group, said that it was a positive sign that countries have begun opening up and have also started to issue visas for travel.

“This is the time for the government to start resuming scheduled international flights at least from mid-July. It can be done first to countries with which we have an 'air bubble' agreement because flights are being operated on these routes already," he said.

He also said that the government should take part in IATA travel passes.

Countries that have stopped travel have been issuing visas. This will boost the revival of international travel.

Basheer Ahmed of Chennai Metro Travels said that "The rules and need for documentation vary from one country to another but all the countries have decided to allow travellers to enter. Those who have got their vaccines can avoid expensive quarantines in foreign countries."

France and the US are not allowing leisure travellers. The initial traffic will be students and those who travel for work.

Sandeep Todi, who is planning to travel to the US for work, said that the easing down of the situation has raised the hope of all including students.

The travel and tour operators are also advising customers to follow precautions.

E-registration must for travel within city

E-registration must for travel within city

I have to travel from Royapuram to Purasaiwalkam to a bank with my mother, Since I will be travelling by a cab, do I need an epass? What option should I select as the reason for travel? — Veena

The government has permitted travel within the city only with e-registration. There is no separate category for travel for banking purposes. You may have to wait till the lockdown is over.

‘Other industries’ in Chennai are allowed to work with 33% workforce from 14 June under the new relaxation. What are the time restrictions? — Vinod Patel

There is no time restriction mentioned by the government.

Can I travel to colleges regarding admission for my son? — Soumiya Sree

Colleges have moved admissions online to avoid parents and students coming to the campus during lockdown.

I am a caretaker for an old age home in the outskirts of Tambaram. I live in Chennai city limits. There is no provision for inter-district travel for this category. Can I travel? — Soundararajan K

There is no provision to allow people to travel inter-district under the caretaker category. You may have to make alternative arrangements.

The government has allowed educational institutions to open for admission purposes. However, some colleges have asked all staff to report to college. Is this allowed? Need more clarity on the guideline. — Bala

The government has permitted colleges and schools to carry out admission related administrative work at the campus. Staff needed for this work can be told to come for work.

I need to go to Guduvancherry from Chennai to look after my aged parents. Do I need to take e-pass? if yes, in which category? — Prasanna R

You may have to apply for an eregistration under medical emergency to travel for the purpose.

FOR COVID-19 RELATED QUERIES AND EMERGENCIES

Helpline: 108/ 104 or 044-4612 2300/ 044 2538 4520 For bed availability, visit: https://stopcorona.tn.gov.in/beds.php

Strict lockdown if people don’t follow protocols: Stalin

Strict lockdown if people don’t follow protocols: Stalin

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:15.06.2021

Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin has said that lockdown relaxations, which came into force on Monday (June

14) in 27 districts including Chennai, could be withdrawn any time if people do not follow Covid-19 norms.

If people show restraint, the state could move ahead and permit public transport and reopen schools and colleges, Stalin said. The chief minister is holding discussions with district collectors on Covid measures being undertaken across the state and to check on the possibility of resuming public transport.

In a video appeal released on Monday morning, Stalin thanked the people for following the norms in the past few weeks and helping the state bring down the Covid numbers. In fact, members of the public themselves had demanded extension of the lockdown by another week and it showed their confidence in the steps being taken by his government in containing the spread, he said.

"A few weeks ago, daily Covid cases had crossed 36,000 and experts were expecting it to touch 50,000. That is when we decided to impose full lockdown. Due to the efforts of the government and support of people, we are able to bring down the numbers below 15,000. We have only brought the corona spread under control and not eradicated it completely," Stalin said, while cautioning the public not to relax in adhering to Covid norms.

“We have to break the chain and prevent corona from spreading from one person to another. That necessitated imposing total lockdown and people too were very cooperative and I thank them for their support,” Stalin said.

The relaxations are now being introduced step by step to help the livelihood of the people. People should not crowd at tea shops and salons and should follow Covid norms at all times. Avoid going out unnecessarily, he said. “The priority of the people should be to ensure their own safety. And shopkeepers too should focus on following Covid norms both for themselves and the public. The state government has to care for the public health, while also ensuring that people’s livelihood is not affected,” Stalin said.

"Despite being aware of attracting criticism, the government has permitted reopening of Tasmac outlets. We do not want people to suffer by consuming illicit arrack and smuggled liquor,” Stalin said.

Covid increasingly affecting gastrointestinal systems

Covid increasingly affecting gastrointestinal systems

Amrita.Didyala@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:  13.06.2021

Covid-19 is increasingly affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) system with 25%-30% of the Covid-19 patients presenting GI symptoms alone, without any respiratory symptoms and sometimes with a few hours of fever.

In such cases, the virus colonizes in the intestines instead of the lungs and patients continue to have problems in the form of ulcers, pancreatitis and even gangrene post recovery.

“Around 30% of the patients are presenting with GI intestinal symptoms including discomfort, gas formation, bloating, some present with diarrhoea and abdominal pain and do not have any respiratory symptoms. In many of them, even stool examining is showing positive for Covid-19. It shows that the virus is colonizing in the intestines,” said Dr C Madhusudan, head of department of gastroenterology and transplant surgeon, Osmania General Hospital.

Experts advise that being extra vigilant about GI issues now. Gastrointestinal symptoms in Covid patients is however something seen persistently since the first wave.

“The reason we are seeing many more patients present with GI symptoms is due to the overall number of patients having increased during the second wave. Since the second wave has been much more infectious, with increase in overall cases of Covid-19, patients with GI have also been many more now. In at least 1% of these patients, we see pancreatitis,” said Dr M Raja Rao, superintendent, Gandhi Hospital.

While pancreatitis is self limiting and usually improves after a few weeks, ulcers can be treated in a few weeks as well. However, gangrene which occurs due to clot formation in the blood vessels of the intestines, is a life threatening condition and any symptom during or after Covid-19 should not be ignored.

Varsity executive cheats 13 of ₹13 lakh

Varsity executive cheats 13 of ₹13 lakh

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:13.06.2021

The Satellite police has registered a case of criminal breach of trust and cheating against a senior executive of Chandigarh University in Ahmedabad, Ratan Tatare, for allegedly cheating students by not depositing their fees in the university.

A complaint was registered on Friday by Mohammed Bakarwala, 18, a resident of Vejalpur, at Satellite police station. The complainant alleged that he wanted admission to the BE Computer Science course at Chandigarh University. The complainant said he was told that the office of the university was in the Satellite area, near Jodhpur Crossroads. He went to the office and met Tatare. Tatare told him that he had to pay Rs 1.6 lakh as fees in total, and should pay Rs 80,000 as fees for the first semester. The complainant alleged that he paid Rs 10,000 to confirm his admission and his online education course began.

Bakarwala claimed that he paid the remainder of the fees in instalments and in January, when he went to get the receipt, Tatare was not there. The staff present told him that his fees of Rs 70,000 had not been deposited and Tatare had cheated him and 13 other students and had not deposited Rs 13 lakh with the university.

Satellite police registered an offence under Indian Penal Code Section 406 (Criminal breach of trust) and 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property).

Min: RGUHS interim VC pick surprising

Min: RGUHS interim VC pick surprising

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:  13.06.2021

The appointment of Dr Jayakara SM, principal, AECS Maruthi College of Dental Sciences, as the interim vice-chancellor (VC) of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) has come as a surprise to medical education minister K Sudhakar.

Sudhakar told STOI that he had written to the governor that one of the registrars or a dean of a government college can hold the post. The appointment, he said “has come as a surprise” and that some deans have written to him about it.

Jayakara’s appointment will be effective from June 15 till a VC is appointed or until further orders. This is the first time a private college principal will hold the post of the VC, albeit as an interim position in the history of RGUHS.

Sudhakar said as the pro-chancellor of the university, he had requested for a meeting with the governor three weeks ago to discuss the appointment. “Given the Covid situation, the governor was not meeting anyone is what I was told. Hence, I could not meet him, but had written to him on the interim VC post, which is usually given to the director of medical education, registrar evaluation or administration of the university, or seniormost deans of government medical colleges,” he said.

The minister’s letter also mentioned the formation of the search committee and its chairperson that can select the VC. “May be the letter was not considered,” he said.

The appointment has also disappointed some professors in government medical colleges, who were in the seniority list. “There’s no clarity on how a private dental college principal has been made the interim VC, when there are several of us, who have worked in government medical colleges in highest capacities,” said dean of a government college.

Chosen based on work: Dr Jayakara

Dr Jayakara said he was nominated by the chancellor. He said he was also the dean of dental faculty at the university and served the university as dean and senate member for two times each.“I’ve also served the university in various capacities, chairing some of the committees. When the marks card scam was unearthed (2013-14), I was appointed the chairperson of the committee by the syndicate and I had submitted a report. It was based on my report that several reforms were introduced,” Jayakara said, adding that he was given the post based on his work. Jayakara said he would discuss the matter with the CM on Saturday.

“I don’t know what has happened. Had I met the governor, I would have explained about it. Now, the professors are asking me how an interim post has been given to a private college principal. When I return to Bengaluru, I will try to meet the governor.”

வாடகை அறை முன்பதிவு திருமலையில் புதிய முறை

வாடகை அறை முன்பதிவு திருமலையில் புதிய முறை

Added : ஜூன் 12, 2021 23:31

திருப்பதி : திருமலையில் வாடகை அறை முன்பதிவு செய்வதில் புதிய முறை அமல் படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது. திருமலை ஏழுமலையானை தரிசிக்க வரும் பக்தர்களின் வசதிக்காக, திருமலையில் வாடகை அறைகள் உள்ளன. இந்த அறைகளை நேரடி முன்பதிவு மற்றும் 'ஆன்லைன்' வாயிலாக பக்தர்கள் பெற்று வருகின்றனர். வாடகை அறை தேவைப்படும் பக்தர்கள் திருமலையில் உள்ள மத்திய விசாரணை அலுவலகத்தில் சென்று, தங்களின் முன்பதிவு டோக்கனை காண்பித்து, அறை உள்ள இடத்தின் துணை அலுவலகத்திற்கு சென்று சாவியை பெற வேண்டும்.மத்திய விசாரணை அலுவலகத்தின் அருகில் வாகன நிறுத்தம் இல்லாததால், பக்தர்கள் பலர் அவதியுற்று வருகின்றனர்.

மேலும், அறைகளைப் பெற இரண்டு இடங்களில் பக்தர்கள் வரிசையில் நிற்க வேண்டிய கட்டாயம் ஏற்படுகிறது.இவற்றை எளிமையாக்க, தேவஸ்தானம் புதிய முறையை அமல்படுத்தி உள்ளது. இதன்படி, வாடகை அறை முன்பதிவு செய்த பக்தர்களின் வசதிக்காக திருமலையில் பல்வேறு பகுதிகளில் 'கவுன்டர்'கள் அமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

இங்கு சென்று பக்தர்கள் தங்கள் பெயர்களை பதிவு செய்ய வேண்டும். அவர்களின் மொபைல் போனுக்கு, வாடகை அறை அளிக்கப்பட்ட பகுதி மற்றும் அதன் துணை அலுவலகம் குறித்த குறுந்தகவல்கள் அனுப்பப்படும். பக்தர்கள் நேரடியாக துணை அலுவலகத்திற்கு சென்று, பணத்தை செலுத்தி தங்களின் வாடகை அறையின் சாவியை பெற்றுக் கொள்ளலாம். இந்த புதிய முறை நேற்று முதல் அமல்படுத்தி உள்ளது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

IGIMS doctors remove cricket ball-sized black fungus from brain

IGIMS doctors remove cricket ball-sized black fungus from brain

VK Tripathi TNN

Patna:13.06.2021

Doctors of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) here surgically removed a cricket ball-sized black fungus, or mucormycosis, from the brain of a 60-year-old patient on Friday. After the three-hour open surgery, Anil Kumar from Jamui district of Bihar is doing well.

Talking to TOI on Saturday, IGIMS medical superintendent Dr Manish Mandal said no mucormycosis case of such an intensity in the brain region had been reported from anywhere in Bihar before. “A team led by Dr Brajesh Kumar operated on the patient with such precision that his eyes were not affected,” Dr Mandal added.

Two weeks ago, Anil, a post-Covid patient, got epileptic attacks that would lead to temporary unconsciousness. He consulted local doctors, but his condition deteriorated and he was admitted to IGIMS. “The patient’s CT scan and MRI test showed that his brain had been severely invaded by mucormycosis. Apart from a cricket ballsized fungus, about 100ml of abscess was also removed from his brain,” Dr Mandal said.

Work on new Egmore bridge begins

Work on new Egmore bridge begins

2-Lane Bridge On Arunachalam Rd To Ease Traffic

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:13.06.2021

Greater Chennai Corporation began construction of an additional bridge at Arunachalam Road in Egmore across the Cooum River. The 10-metre-wide bridge aims at decongesting vehicular movement along the key road stretch connecting Egmore with Chintadripet.

At present there is only one bridge (formerly known as St Andrew’s bridge) with two lanes off Arunachalam Road. During peak hours, close to 4,000 vehicles use this stretch and as a result it takes at least 10 to 15 minutes to cross the 70-metre long bridge.

Given that most Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses, connecting central and southern parts of the city with north Chennai, use Arunachalam Bridge, the area badly needed an additional bridge, said a senior corporation official, requesting anonymity.

Tenders were floated to construct another two-lane bridge parallel to the existing one at an estimated cost of ₹9.5 crore and bids were finalised in February.

“However, we could not start construction work right away as Covid cases started to increase. Now, foundation work is underway,” the official added.

Authorities clarified that there will be no major traffic diversions during the initial stages of construction but some adjustments might be needed next year when final bridge decks are taken up.

The project is likely to be completed in 18 months.

“We hope the corporation sticks to the timeline proposed. Because roads in Chintadripet are narrow and once lockdown conditions are relaxed, it will be difficult to commute if the project gets delayed as usual,” said Raghupathy, who owns a mobile shop on Gandhi-Irwin Road.

After both the bridges are opened for traffic, the civic body also plans to move the roundtana in front of Ramada Hotel to a centralised point so that vehicles waiting at the traffic signal there will have adequate space on all sides.

DECONGESTING KEY STRETCH: The 10-metre-wide bridge at Arunachalam Road in Egmore across the Cooum is being constructed parallel to the existing one at an estimated ₹9.5 crore

Govt to form panel to probe univ appointments

Govt to form panel to probe univ appointments

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:13.06.2021

The government will form an IAS officer-headed panel to probe the alleged irregularities in appointments and promotions at Salem Periyar University, Madurai Kamaraj University, and Annamalai University.

“We have received complaints alleging irregularities in appointments in these three universities. Courts also gave directions against these irregularities. After consulting the chief minister, we will form an inquiry committee headed by an IAS officer and will take action based on the findings of the committee,” higher education minister K Ponmudi told reporters.

There were allegations of irregularities in promotions to faculty of Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) and Annamalai University. Some professors said MKU had not acted on Justice G M Akbar Ali committee report, which recommended review of promotions of 40 faculty members. Irregularities in appointments, civil work and procurement at Periyar University in the past 10 years were also alleged.

Ponmudi also said first year admissions to polytechnics will be based on Class IX marks following the cancellation of Class X exams.

Last year, Class IX annual exams were cancelled and admissions are likely to be based on marks in quarterly and half-yearly exams.

Polytechnic students who have exceeded their stipulated time will be given another opportunity to clear arrears.

Admission to engineering colleges would be announced after the government fixes the evaluation criteria.

Medical students foot bill for examiners’ stay?

Medical students foot bill for examiners’ stay?

Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University vice-chancellor Dr Sudha Seshayyan told Express she hasn’t yet received official directions from the government to conduct an inquiry.

Published: 12th June 2021 05:13 AM |

By Sinduja Jane

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Final-year MBBS students at the Government Stanley Medical College allegedly had to pool in money for their external examiners’ “accommodation and food” during the April-May 2021 exams. The Directorate of Medical Education is now going to launch an inquiry, after the father of a student who failed in one subject brought the matter to light.

The girl’s father complained to the college management, saying his daughter had failed as she didn’t pay the money. The Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, meanwhile, has temporarily suspended the examiners in question from the Panel of Examiners.

Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University vice-chancellor Dr Sudha Seshayyan told Express she hasn’t yet received official directions from the government to conduct an inquiry. “The college conducted an inquiry and submitted a report to us. Since the father alleged money was collected for the exam, the university has taken a call, saying we are not asking anyone to collect money during university exams.”

After the college management received the complaint on May 16, it formed an internal inquiry committee, said committee member Dr S Jaswanth. “In the first inquiry, it was found that the students didn’t receive instructions from any examiners, but collected money themselves after circulating messages on WhatsApp. This student failed as she didn’t perform well. Of the 246 students, 23 didn’t pay the money, but all the rest passed. So the complainant’s allegations are not true.” Another official of the college said a second inquiry will be conducted.

The report on the first inquiry was submitted to the university, and a copy sent to the Directorate of Medical Education. Dr R Narayana Babu, Director of Medical Education, said he received the letter on Thursday, and an inquiry will be launched, in which all students and faculty members will be questioned.

Meanwhile, in her report to the Health Secretary, Dr Sudha Seshayyan said, “Screenshots of messages enclosed by the parent of the said candidate indicate that such collection is regularly being made ‘to show gratefulness to departments’ and to arrange accommodation and food for the external examiners.” The report added that due to the pandemic, exams were conducted online, so the question of accommodation in Chennai for external examiners would not have arisen.

Pending clearance from the Examination Disciplinary Committee, the names of the internal examiners, from the departments of Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Paediatrics, have been temporarily removed from the university’s Panel of Examiners, the report said.

The university’s inquiry report says the complainant obtained 193/300 marks in General Surgery, 127/200 in Gynaecology and 60/100 in Paediatrics, but failed in the General Medicine clinical exam. Final-year MBBS students in other medical colleges in the city said such collection of money is a regular practice. “Once, the external examiner asked for a mobile phone, so the students collected money and provided the phone. We are afraid because the examiners can fail us,” said a student.

எழும்பூர் ரயில் நிலையத்துக்கு வயது 113

எழும்பூர் ரயில் நிலையத்துக்கு வயது 113

Added : ஜூன் 12, 2021 01:53

சென்னை:எழும்பூர் ரயில் நிலையம் துவங்கி நேற்றுடன் 113 ஆண்டுகள் ஆனதையொட்டி அதிகாரிகளும் ஊழியர்களும் 'கேக்' வெட்டி இனிப்பு வழங்கி கொண்டாடினர்.

சென்னையில் பெரிய ரயில் நிலையங்களில் ஒன்றாக எழும்பூர் நிலையம் உள்ளது. இந்நிலையம் 1908ம் ஆண்டு ஜூன் 11ம் தேதி துவங்கப்பட்டது.இந்திய முகலாய மற்றும் கோதிக் கட்டட கலையுடனான இந்தோ - சராசனிக் வடிவமைப்பில் இந்நிலையம் கட்டப்பட்டுள்ளது.ஆங்கிலேயரான ராபர்ட் சிஸ்ஹோம் கட்டடத்திற்கான வரைபடத்தை வடிவமைத்து கொடுத்தார். அக்காலத்தில் புகழ்பெற்ற ஒப்பந்ததாரராக திகழ்ந்த சாமிநாதப் பிள்ளை நிலையத்தை கட்டினார்.

ஆரம்பத்தில் இரு நடைமேடையுடன் துவங்கப்பட்ட இந்நிலையம் தற்போது 12 நடைமேடையுடன் இயங்குகிறது.இந்நிலையத்தில் இருந்து 25 எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் ரயில்கள்; வழியாக 10 ரயில்கள் என 35 ரயில் போக்குவரத்துடன் இந்நிலையம் வழியாக இருவழியிலும் 256 புறநகர் மின்சார ரயில்களும் இயக்கப்படுகின்றன.

தினமும் இரண்டரை லட்சம் பயணியர் வரை வந்து செல்லும் நிலையமாக உள்ளது. கொரோனாவால் தற்போது ரயில்கள் எண்ணிக்கை குறைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.இந்நிலையம் துவங்கப்பட்டு நேற்றுடன் 113 ஆண்டுகள் ஆனதையொட்டி நிலைய அதிகாரிகள் ஊழியர்கள் 'கேக்' வெட்டி இனிப்பு வழங்கி கொண்டாடினர்.

BREAKING - Postpone INI CET By At Least A Month, Supreme Court Suggests To AIIMS

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EPS-OPS posters war hots up in south

EPS-OPS posters war hots up in south

Madurai:  12.06.2021

Poster wars are hotting up within the AIADMK in the southern districts, with those supporting former chief minister and party joint coordinator Edappadi Palaniswami appearing in Tirunelveli and those in favour of party coordinator O Panneerselvam surfacing in Theni as well. The posters demonstrate the open rift between the EPS and OPS factions.

The ones which appeared in many parts of Tirunelveli district including Mannur two days ago blamed Palaniswami for the AIADMK debacle in the elections. They said his high-handedness and decisions without consulting O Panneerselvam cost them dearly and that the mantle should be handed over to OPS. A complaint has been filed. On Thursday, some posters thanking the MLAs for electing Palaniswami as Opposition leader appeared at Thalaiyoothu in the district. AIADMK sources said cadres loyal to the party are left confused due to such actions of their seniors.

Meanwhile, posters hailing OPS as “protector of the AIADMK fortress”, were put up on behalf of Theni district fishermen’s wing of AIADMK on the Theni- Madurai road.The poster wars are expected to increase before the party’s legislative party meeting on Monday.

Schools told to gear up for next academic year

Schools told to gear up for next academic year

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Trichy:12.06.2021

The school education department has directed principals and administrative staff of government and government-aided schools to start preparatory works to commence the next academic year by visiting their schools from Monday.

A source from the department said, “as the state government has cancelled the Class XII public examination in the view of covid-19 pandemic, several procedures like calculating and preparing the certificates that are required to pursue higher education and related works need to be carried out.” “As admission for the next academic year is about to commence, school managements need to carry out the admission process and distribute notebooks and other government welfare schemes to the students. School campuses and classrooms need to be cleaned,” the source added.

Principals and administrative staff of all state-run and aided schools have been directed to visit their schools, following Covid-19 safety protocols, from next week to carry out these works, said the source.

“From next week, we will also start admitting students for Class XI as their classes are likely to commence from the third week of June based on government guidelines,” said M Ramakrishnan, chief educational officer.

A circular from the department said that if a school receives more applications for a particular group than the permitted class strength, then the school is allowed to increase the cap limit by 10-15% and students should be admitted in the group of their choice. If the number of applications for a particular group exceeds the additional 15% strength, then the student should be selected based on his/ her Class IX marks, the circular added.

“Earlier, the department had asked the school management to conduct an entrance examination if the number of applications exceeds the additional 15% strength and directed teachers to prepare a question paper with 30 questions. After objections raised from multiple corners, they had cancelled the entrance examination and asked the schools to admit based on Class IX marks,” said T Arulanantham, state auditor of Tamil Nadu High and Higher Secondary School Graduate Teachers’ Association.

PhD enrollment in TN went up 19% in 2019-20, says survey

PhD enrollment in TN went up 19% in 2019-20, says survey

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:12.06.2021

Enrollment for PhD in Tamil Nadu increased 19% in 2019-20 compared to the year before, data from the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) released on Thursday showed. The enrollment for MPhil programmes declined by 20% in the state during the same period.

“From Tamil Nadu, 30,600 students (15,828 men and 14,832 women) enrolled for PhD in 2019-20 while 25,820 students registered in 2018-19,” the survey stated. While 9,144 chose to pursue MPhil in 2018-19, the number fell to 7,133 in 2019-20.

Educationists opined that the increase may have been due to PhD being made a minimum qualification for entry-level assistant professor posts in universities that year. Rankings such as NIRF also give more weightage to those with PhDs.

“Statutory bodies such as University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) have prescribed PhD as a minimum qualification for the post of assistant professor in universities. If they want to enter state-funded universities, they need a PhD. This may have been the reason for the spike in PhD enrollment while that for MPhil dipped,” said S P Thyagarajan, former vicechancellor of Madras University. “UGC has also advised all universities not to offer MPhil programmes from 2021,” he said.

Thyagarajan called for improving existing benchmarks for PhD to produce better researchers and teachers.

“State Eligibility Test (SET) was not conducted in the past few years. That could have been a reason for high enrollment in PhDs,” said P Duraisamy, former vice-chancellor of University of Madras, adding that the university has made publishing of two research papers before thesis submission mandatory.

“More students are joining PhD programmes due to increase in government colleges and availability of scholarships,” said S Swaminathan, advisor of NET/SLET association. He added that the government should focus on improving infrastructure to improve the quality of PhDs.

Stanley med college holds probe into illegal collection of money

Stanley med college holds probe into illegal collection of money

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:12.06.2021

Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University has temporarily suspended faculty in four departments of Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital from a panel of examiners after a man complained that his daughter failed in one of the clinical papers in her final year as she did not pay ₹10,000 demanded from students.

In his complaint, the parent said final year students received messages demanding ₹10,000 each “to arrange accommodation and food” for external examiners and “to show gratefulness to the department” as per “regular practice”. His daughter (name withheld) who did not pay the money failed the test held in May by 7 marks.

Following the parent’s allegation, a 10-member panel of professors from the college management conducted an inquiry on Friday. “Five members looked into why the student failed her medicine paper and others investigated why money was collected from students,” said dean Dr P Balaji. Preliminary inquiry showed that 223 out 246 students who wrote the exam had paid at least ₹10,000 each. Committee estimates that funds collected by student representatives ran into more than ₹22lakh.

After talking to student, examiners and looking into the answer sheets, the committee found the student had failed the clinical exam in medicine because of poor performance. “She is otherwise a bright student but in clinicals everything depends on how you interpret the given case on that day. She did not do it well,” said college vice principal Dr A Jamila, who chaired the inquiry panel.

But the panel did not rule out malpractices on campus.

Meanwhile, Dr Balaji said he will issue orders to stop collection of money on campus without approval from the dean or vice-principal.

No e- registration is needed to travel from home to Railway station

 

Lockdown extended by a week, Tasmac & salons to open in city

Lockdown extended by a week, Tasmac & salons to open in city

No Relief For 11 TN Dists With High Caseload

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:12.06.2021 

Tamil Nadu government on Friday extended the statewide Covid-19 lockdown by another week till June 21 and introduced further relaxations in 27 districts including Chennai where the caseload is showing a decline.

The new relaxations include permission for schools, colleges and universities to commence administrative work relating to admissions and nod for Tasmac outlets to operate from 10am to 5pm. Beauty parlours and salons will be allowed with 50% customers between 9am and 5pm.

Chief minister M K Stalin said the additional relaxations are not applicable to Coimbatore, the Nilgiris, Tirupur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai districts where Covid-19 cases are high. The new relaxations would take effect on June14.

TTV slams govt for opening Tasmac shops

Export and vendor units can c ontinue functioning with 50% workforce, following SOPs. The rest of the industries will also be allowed with 33% workforce.

Workers have already been allowed to travel in four-wheelers. Hereafter, they will be allowed to travel on two-wheelers, provided they take e-registration for the vehicles and carry identity cards, Stalin said. IT/ITES offices have been directed to work with only 20% workforce or with a maximum of 10 employees. Housing finance companies, non-banking financial companies and all insurance corporations are allowed to function with 33% workforce.

Stalin said all shops permitted to operate should adhere to standard operating procedures. Providing hand sanitizer with dispenser and thermal screening are mandatory. The managements should ensure that the staff and customers wear masks. “All shops should function with no air-conditioning and not let in many people. Marks should be drawn for people to maintain physical distance when they queue up before shops,” the CM said.

The state government also extended certain relaxations in the 11 districts where case load is still high. Export units and vendor units can operate there with 25% workforce, following standard operating procedures. Private security services, agencies for maintenance and upkeep of office, and housekeeping in residential complexes are permitted with e-registration. Passengers with e-registration will be permitted in rental vehicles, taxis and autos.

Self-employed electricians, plumbers, motor mechanics and carpenters can work between 6am and 5pm with e-registration. But shops in these categories will not be permitted to open. Cycle and twowheeler repair shops, those selling agriculture equipment, pump set repair shops, optical shops and service centres shall operate from 9am to 2pm. Pottery and handicraft shops can function from 6am to 5pm.

Meanwhile, condemning the state’s decision to open the Tasmac outlets, AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran urged the government to rollback the decision immediately since the outlets could become a possible Covid-19 spreader. In a series of tweets, hours after the government’s announcement, Dhinakaran said the move was against the state’s intention to save the people from the pandemic. “It is worse that the government, like the previous regime, does not care about the lives of the people but seeks to fill the treasury,” he said. Dhinakaran accused the government of offering Covid relief on one hand and snatching it through the Tasmac outlets.

Qualified Homeopathic Doctors Can Prescribe Preventive And Add On Medicines To Covid 19 Patients: Kerala High Court

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Court Cannot Issue Mandamus Directing All COVID Victims To Be Compensated: Madras High Court

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CA Exams 2021: Plea In Supreme Court Seeks Opt Out Option, More Examination Centres, Postponement Of Exam If Adherence To Covid Protocols Not Possible

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Delhi High Court To Hear Jun 11 Plea For Postponement of Foreign Medical Graduate Examination

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No entrance exam this year, says SASTRA

No entrance exam this year, says SASTRA

10/06/2021

Special Correspondent THANJAVUR

The SASTRA deemed university has announced that there will be no entrance examination for admission to engineering courses for the 2021 academic year.

In a press release, the institution said admissions to engineering programmes would be based on the Class XII scores for 50% of the seats. For the remaining seats, the Class XII and JEE Main scores, with equal weightage for both, will be considered.

Aspiring students should submit their applications online through www.sastra.edu by July 31, after receiving their Class XII scores. The rank list will be released by 9 p.m. on July 31.

The counselling for admissions will commence on August 2, and 30% of the seats will be allotted to Thanjavur- and Tiruchi-based students, the release added.

Implement lockdown strictly, says CJ

Implement lockdown strictly, says CJ

10/06/2021

Mohamed Imranullah S.CHENNAI

Madras High Court Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee on Wednesday expressed disappointment over the police not enforcing strictly the ongoing lockdown in Tamil Nadu to fight COVID-19. He said it appeared as if the lockdown had been lifted and it was “party time” on the roads.

The Chief Justice broached the subject with Advocate General R. Shunmugasundaram and said it was shocking to find people moving about on the roads as a matter of routine, though the lockdown was still in force and only a few relaxations had been provided for the convenience of the people.

“We have just eased a few things for the convenience of the citizens. But if you walk on the streets, it appears that it is party time. There is business as usual. We, the public, must follow what is in our best interest. We must inculcate a sense of discipline in us,” the Chief Justice told the Advocate General.

In reply, Mr. Shunmugasundaram said, “Your Lordship may recall that policemen were beating up people. Now, strict instructions have been given not to beat people and just to ask them about their documents, e-passes, etc. Now, they are handling softly and politely,” he said.

Alagappa University VC term ends

Alagappa University VC term ends

10/06/2021

Special Correspondent KARAIKUDI

Prof. N. Rajendran, Vice-Chancellor of Alagappa University, Karaikudi, has completed his tenure of office on June 4. A convenor’s committee has been formed with D. Karthikeyan, Principal-Secretary, Department of Higher Education, and two Syndicate members of Alagappa University namely Dr. R. Swaminathan, Principal, Vidhyaa Giri College of Arts and Science, Puduvayal, and Dr. T.R. Gurumoorthy, senior professor and Head, Department of Commerce, Alagappa University.

Late referrals of the critically ill put govt. hospitals in a fix

Late referrals of the critically ill put govt. hospitals in a fix

This also causes mental agony to families of the victims

10/06/2021

A majority of such patients are brought in ambulances in the evening. B. Jothi RamalingamJOTHI RAMALINGAM B

Serena Josephine M. CHENNAI

A critically-ill patient diagnosed with COVID-19, who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital, was shifted to a government hospital at about 11 p.m. He died three hours later. Similarly, an octogenarian, referred from a private facility to a government hospital, was declared dead on arrival.

Such incidents have become common in Chennai’s government hospitals. Last-minute referrals of critically-ill COVID-19 patients from private hospitals are not only putting government hospitals in a fix but are also causing mental agony to families of the victims, say senior doctors.

Every day, the major government hospitals in Chennai receive a number of critically-ill COVID-19 patients, even in intubated states, from private hospitals. Most of them are late referrals.

“A majority of such patients are flown in ambulances late in the evening. Most emergency calls that we get after 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. are of such patients. We receive at least 10-15 such cases a day. Almost all of them are last-minute referrals and about 90% of them die in six to eight hours or a maximum of a day. They are shifted in very critical conditions, including in intubated states. They are shifted to government hospitals after seven to eight days of treatment in private facilities,” a doctor at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital said on the condition of anonymity.

Recently, the hospital received eight very critically-ill patients, all late referrals, from private hospitals on a single day, he noted.

A doctor at the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital said they received a patient who was referred from a private hospital. He died five minutes after arrival. When the hospital added about 50 beds to its ICU during the peak, 40 of them were occupied by the evening as there were many such referrals, he said.

While the deaths of patients referred in the eleventh hour are accounted for by the respective government hospitals, doctors say it causes a lot of distress to families of the deceased.

“From top hospitals to nursing homes, many institutions resort to last-minute referrals. Private hospitals should avoid such referrals of critically-ill patients to at least save the families from mental agony. The families are traumatised and such practices can be avoided in the best interest of the patients,” he said.

A Health Department official said, “Patients should be referred with complete treatment history, at a mutually convenient time. Private hospitals should also make sure that the patient’s condition will not worsen during the transit.”

Govt. officials targeted in phishing attempt

Govt. officials targeted in phishing attempt

They received malicious web links

10/06/2021

The messages asked officials to update their vaccination status.Getty Imagessarayut

Special CorrespondentNew Delhi

Several government offices, including Defence Ministry officials, were on Wednesday targeted by a malicious web link sent on WhatsApp and SMS, asking them to update their vaccination status.

The message asked officials to click on www.covid19india.in to generate a digital certificate of COVID-19 inoculation.

The SMS, signed with an abbreviation “MoHFW”, that expands to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said, “as per directives of MoHFW, Confirm your COVID status on https://covid19india.in and generate your vaccination certificate”.

An official said that when he clicked on the link, it directed to a page “@gov.in” that resembled the government website mygov.in, and asked to key in the official e-mail and password

An e-mail received by a Defence Ministry official said that as part of an awareness drive regarding “post vaccination measures to be followed by armed forces” a questionnaire was required to be filled and a Google drive link was shared. Some officials even received phone calls where the caller said he was calling from an Army Hospital and the official need to update the vaccination status on a link being sent on WhatsApp.

The officials were sensitised to not click on the link as it appeared to be a phishing attempt to access their official e-mails and correspondence. A considerable part of government offices are still working from home owing to COVID-19 restrictions.

15 days’ special leave for Central staff

15 days’ special leave for Central staff

10/06/2021

Press Trust of India New Delhi

All Central government employees will be able to get 15 days of special casual leave in case their parents or any dependent family members test COVID-19 positive, said an order by the Personnel Ministry.

“In case of active hospitalisation of any of the family members/parents even after 15 days of the expiry of SCL, the government servants may be granted leave of any kind due and admissible beyond 15 days of SCL till their discharge from hospital,” it said. The Ministry has issued a detailed order on treatment, regularisation of hospitalisation or quarantine for the staff.

கருணைப் பணி 10 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு பின் நிராகரிப்பு: தனி நீதிபதி உத்தரவு ரத்து

கருணைப் பணி 10 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு பின் நிராகரிப்பு: தனி நீதிபதி உத்தரவு ரத்து

Added : ஜூன் 10, 2021 02:21

மதுரை:குறித்த காலத்தில் கருணைப் பணி கோரி விண்ணப்பிக்கவில்லை என அடிக்கடி அரசுத்துறையில் நிராகரிக்கின்றனர். அதேசமயம் குறித்த காலத்தில் மனு செய்தும் 10 ஆண்டுகளாக நிலுவையில் வைத்து நிராகரித்ததை ஏற்க முடியாது. அந்த உத்தரவு ரத்து செய்யப்படுகிறது என உயர்நீதிமன்ற மதுரைக் கிளை உத்தரவிட்டது.

நாகர்கோவில் மனோபிரியா தாக்கல் செய்த மனு:எனது தந்தை முருகன் தமிழாசிரியராக அரசுப் பள்ளியில் பணிபுரிந்து 2007 ல் இறந்தார். கருணைப் பணி நியமனம் கோரி 2007 ல் பள்ளிக் கல்வித்துறைக்கு மனு அனுப்பினேன். எனக்கு 2011 ல் திருமணம் ஆனது. நான் முதுகலை பட்டம், பி.எட்.,மற்றும் எம்.பில்., படித்து கூடுதல் கல்வித் தகுதி பெற்றுள்ளேன்; எனது கணவர் பி.இ.,முடித்து தனியார் பொறியியல் கல்லுாரியில் பணிபுரிகிறார் எனக்கூறி மனுவை பள்ளிக் கல்வித்துறை 2017ல் நிராகரித்தது.

அதை ரத்து செய்து கருணைப் பணி நியமனம் வழங்க உத்தரவிடக்கோரி உயர்நீதிமன்றத்தில் மனு செய்தேன். தனி நீதிபதி தள்ளுபடி செய்தார். அதை ரத்து செய்து பணி வழங்க உத்தரவிட வேண்டும். இவ்வாறு மனோபிரியா மனு செய்தார்.நீதிபதிகள் டி.எஸ்.சிவஞானம், எஸ்.ஆனந்தி அமர்வு உத்தரவு:மனு 10 ஆண்டுகளாக பரிசீலிக்கப்படாமல் ஏன் நிலுவையில் வைக்கப்பட்டது என்பதற்கு நாகர்கோவில் கல்வி மாவட்ட அலுவலரின் பதில் திருப்திகரமாக இல்லை.

குறித்த காலத்தில் கருணைப் பணி கோரி விண்ணப்பிக்கவில்லை; தாமதம் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது என அடிக்கடி அரசுத்துறையில் நிராகரிக்கின்றனர். அதேசமயம் குறித்த காலத்தில் மனு செய்தும் 10 ஆண்டுகளாக நடவடிக்கை இன்றி நிலுவையில் வைத்திருந்ததை பொருத்திப் பார்க்க வேண்டும்.தனி நீதிபதியின் உத்தரவு ரத்து செய்யப்படுகிறது.

சம்பந்தப்பட்ட தாசில்தார் மூலம் மனுதாரர் குடும்ப பொருளாதார நிலை மற்றும் இதர சூழ்நிலைகளை ஆய்வு செய்து நாகர்கோவில் கல்வி மாவட்ட அலுவலர் அறிக்கை பெற வேண்டும். அதன்படி மறு பரிசீலனை செய்து தகுதி அடிப்படையில் 4 மாதங்களில் தகுந்த உத்தரவு பிறப்பிக்க வேண்டும் என்றனர்.

Schools removing wards from online classes groups for not paying fees

Schools removing wards from online classes groups for not paying fees

The government is yet to take a call on fees to be collected from the students, but many schools, sources said, are forcing parents to pay the fees for the academic year 2021-22.

Published: 10th June 2021 03:10 AM 

By Jeyalakshmi Ramanujam

Express News Service

MADURAI: The government is yet to take a call on fees to be collected from the students, but many schools, sources said, are forcing parents to pay the fees for the academic year 2021-22. Even worse, a few schools are allegedly not allowing students who failed to pay the fees to attend online classes.

Speaking to TNIE, Nirmala, the mother of two students, studying in a CBSE school, said that nearly 700 students of the school have not paid the fees and that when she, along with the others went to the school to meet the principal, she refused to meet them.

“My elder child is studying in Class XII and the class teacher asked her to pay the entire fees of Rs 87,000 on single payment in the month of March. Of this, Rs 18,000 should be paid to school’s bank account and the remaining amount should be paid as cash to the cashier of the school. No proper bill would be given.

Also, I have asked the break-up of fees payment. But, they refused to disclose anything. Since I was unable to pay the fees, they removed my elder child from the group. My younger child was removed from the WhatsApp group in the month of November itself as the fees for the last academic year was pending,” she said. This is not an isolated case.

An educational officer said that previous AIADMK government had given instructions to the schools not to collect fees.

“Then, the schools moved to court, and the court has given the direction to collect 65 per cent of fees for two terms. However, only a few schools obliged to the rule. New government till now has not given any instructions on fees. The government should also create a toll free number or website so that the parents could lodge complaints,” he said.

Meanwhile, State Platform for Common School System’s Tamil Nadu General Secretary PB Prince Gajendra Babu said that the government should order all the schools to post their fees structure on their school website.

Petition on compassionate appointment rejected by Orissa High Court

Petition on compassionate appointment rejected by Orissa High Court

While disposing of the petition in 2013, the court had permitted her to make a fresh representation to the authority concerned.

Published: 10th June 2021 08:23 AM 

By Express News Service

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has dismissed a petition filed by the married daughter of a deceased government employee seeking extension of compassionate appointment benefits to her.

Rashmita Pattnayak and her mother had first filed a petition seeking the relief of compassionate appointment in 2012.

While disposing of the petition in 2013, the court had permitted her to make a fresh representation to the authority concerned.

After no decision was taken on her fresh application, Rashmita approached the High Court for the second time and filed a contempt case in 2014.

On June 22, 2016, a co-ordinate division bench dismissed the contempt petition while categorically by observing that a “married daughter cannot be given an (compassionate) appointment.”

The order attained finality as Rashmita did not challenge the order. But after nearly five years she again sought the same relief by challenging the constitutional validity of Rule 2 (b) (iii) of the Orissa Civil Service (Rehabilitation Assistance) Rules, 1990.

While dismissing the petition on Wednesday the two judge bench of Chief Justice S Muralidhar and Justice KR Mohapatra said, “It is not possible for this court, in the teeth of aforesaid order dated 22nd June 2016 passed by a coordinate Bench which has become final, to entertain a fresh petition on the same cause of action."

Rule 2 (b) (iii) of the Orissa Civil Service (Rehabilitation Assistance) Rules, 1990 includes daughters in the list of ‘family members’ pre-fixed that word by the word ‘unmarried’.

In other words, it renders married daughters, ineligible for rehabilitation assistance including compassionate appointment.