Another lion dies of Sars Cov-2 at city zoo

Another lion dies of Sars Cov-2 at city zoo

10 More Big Cats Under Treatment

Oppili P & Ram Sundaram TNN

Chennai:17.06.2021 

A 12-year-old lion died of Covid-19 at Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur on Wednesday morning, authorities said. The big cat, a male named Pathbanathan, is the second lion to die due to the infection at the zoo. The first was a nine-yearold lioness named Neela which died in the evening on June 3.

Officials at the zoo said Pathbanathan tested positive for Sars Cov-2 as per the report of the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal received on June 3. Samples were collected from Pathbanathan after five lions in the zoo showed symptoms such as coughing and loss of appetite. The animal, housed in the lion safari area, was under intensive treatment since then and died around 10.15am on Wednesday, said an official release from AAZP.

At present, the zoo houses 10 more infected lions, being treated by an in-house veterinary team in coordination with an expert team from Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences (Tanuvas) University.

“Two lionesses — 19-yearold Bhuavana and 23-year-old Kavitha — which were critical last week have started to respond to treatment and are taking food properly now. All other infected lions too are under close observation to ensure they recover soon,” said an AAZP official.

Zoo authorities said they were taking all precautionary measures to protect the infected lions and to prevent further spread of the virus to other animals. The zoo had introduced thermal scanning and ultra violet irradiation of the beef that was fed to the big cats. Zoo workers were administered vaccines for the infection. Periodic sanitisation of the animal enclosures had been taken up and the workers were provided with PPE kits while entering the enclosures.

The zoo is also taking the help of Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, run by Union government’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in Hyderabad, to sequence the virus variant to understand zoonotic transmission better.

Besides Covid-19, one lion has been tested positive for a more contagious Canine Distemper Virus (CDV). Zoo sources said the 19-year-old lion named Ragave was kept in isolation and is healthy now. Efforts were underway to keep stray dogs and cats out of the zoo premises as they had the potential to transmit diseases to the zoo inhabitants. The zoo has been closed for visitors from April due to the Covid second wave.

An official from the city zoo said two lionesses that were critical last week have started to respond to treatment and that their appetite was returning. All infected lions are under close observation

Private schools want TC made must for admission

Private schools want TC made must for admission

K Sambath Kumar & M K Ananth TNN

Trichy/Madurai: 17.06.2021 

Worried over a large number of students migrating to government schools due to the financial implications of the pandemic, private schools want the government to make transfer certificates mandatory for admission. Since the pandemic has affected livelihoods, parents who are unable to pay fees in private schools have been taking their wards to government schools where students get free education along with free textbooks, notebooks, uniforms, school bags and footwear.

Admission to Class XI and other classes had started in 27 districts on Monday. The school education department instructed government schools not to ask for transfer certificates if parents and students wanted to migrate from private schools. Government schools have been receiving many queries from parents of students studying in private schools in the past few days.

“Around 10% to 20% of students from matriculation schools and 30% to 40% from primary schools switched to government schools in the last one year alone,” said Arumugam, president of Federation of Private School Associations (FePSA) in Tamil Nadu. The federation wants the government to make Transfer Certificate (TC) mandatory to enrol students till Class VIII from another school.

“Under the right to education (RTE) act, schools can admit any child up to Class VIII without any documents including TC from the previous school. While the particular rule was aimed at bringing down dropout rate in schools, it has brought pushed private schools to the verge of closure,” said D C Elangovan, secretary, Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu (FAPSIT).

Elangovan said popular private schools, which constitute less than 10% of schools across the state, could manage to retain students and collect fees from parents. But the majority of the schools are struggling to pay their teachers. According to the RTE Act, students need not produce a TC for admission if they are unable to get it from the previous school. They can get enrolled with age proof and Aadhar number. Schools also can download TC from EMIS (Education Management Information System) portal after entering the number allotted to each student.

According to data from the school education department, admissions to government schools increased by 1.3lakh in 2020-21.

‘Complete construction of 11 med colleges by year-end’

‘Complete construction of 11 med colleges by year-end’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:17.06.2021

PWD minister E V Velu on Wednesday directed the officials concerned to complete the construction of the 11 new medical colleges by end of this year. He also asked them to submit detailed project reports and designs for the ₹320 crore projects, including multi-super specialty hospital at Guindy, soon.

Chairing a meeting, Velu asked officials to ensure the quality of the raw materials used the construction and directed them to display the quality certificate of the materials at the worksites.

The minister reviewed the construction of colleges of the six newly formed districts and several other projects. He applauded PWD officials for providing oxygen lines for 11,993 beds in various government hospitals on war footing during the pandemic.

FAQs

 

Vax certificate delay forces people to put off work, travel

Vax certificate delay forces people to put off work, travel

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:17.06.2021

Delay in sending text messages and uploading vaccination certificates on the Union government’s CoWIN portal has forced people in Chennai and its suburbs to cancel their air trips, shut shops and defer job offers.

A proof of getting vaccination is mandatory for flying to several foreign countries, working at private offices in the and running shops in wholesale markets.

But many, even those who got their jabs last month, are yet to get a certficiates or SMS to their registered mobile number.

Asha Nair, who took her second dose on May 11 at a government special camp, said that till date the CoWIN portal shows her vaccination status as pending. Her employer has been seeking the proof since June 1. “We don’t know what to do now as there is not even an effective helpline to get the issue sorted,” she said. The existing helpline is more often than not non-responsive.

Ezhumalai, 65, who runs a banana shop at Koyambedu market, has been waiting for vaccination proof for more than a month now.

“The Market Management Committee has reiterated that entry will soon be barred for those who haven't got vaccinated. The only way now is to get a third dose for the sake of certification. But I’m not sure whether it is medically advisable,” he said.

Kumar Subramaniam, whose regular air trips have been affected, said there was a possibility of health insurance renewals or even government welfare schemes being linked to vaccination certificates.

“There was no point in complaining then. So it is better to get it done now," he said.

‘Citizen’ Senthil, a resident-activist from Iyappanthangal, said not uploading the details or certificates regularly on CoWIN portal could pave the way for malpractices. “Already people have suffered a lot and managed to get vaccinated after standing in long queues. So the government should take efforts not to burden them further by delaying certification.”

A senior health official said it took more than 30 minutes at times to upload a single document on CoWIN. “We are trying to clear backlog soon.”

‘E-visa, flights should resume’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:17.06.2021

As European countries take the lead to open their borders for those who are vaccinated, travel and tour operators say that India should resume scheduled international flights and start issuing e-tourist visas to encourage inbound travellers from countries with an ‘air bubble’ agreement. July/August is the season when most foreign tourists arrive in Chennai.

The move comes in the wake of a spike in demand for travel from the enquiries received from people of Indian origin looking for leisure trips and social visits as the international travel sector opens up. Chennai will benefit too as the Tamil diaspora in Europe, Canada, Malaysia and Singapore travel every year.

In 2018, 60.73 lakh foreign tourists visited the state. The state ranked first in foreign tourist arrivals for four years since 2014.

Different associations of travel agents and travel and tour operators have started to petition the union government to allow incoming travel from the countries which are allowing Indians to visit from July.

Subash Goyal, chairman, Stic Travel Group said, “A lot of countries in Europe have begun issuing of visa for Indian travellers. We should also start issuing e-tourist visas to people who are vaccinated from these countries so that the hospitality and tourism sector can revive.”

“There is an appetite for revenge travel among foreigners. This should be capitalised early on. The government should first start scheduled international flights with countries with which we have ‘air bubble’ agreement because flights are already going there and it is easy to convert them into scheduled services,” he added.

The request will soon be presented to the government through Confederation of Tourism Professionals, he said.

Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) has petitioned the Centre through Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality, a policy platform of all travel and tour associations, to resume scheduled international flights. Basheer Ahmed of TAFI said that "There should be a uniform policy of testing and quarantine across the country. Foreigners who have got their vaccines and want to come for a short visit are hesitant of our rules."

Heavy rush to fly to the US; people struggle to get visa appointments

Heavy rush to fly to the US; people struggle to get visa appointments

‘Direct Flight To The US Would’ve Helped’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:17.06.2021

There is a big rush to fly to the US after that country resumed processing of visa applications. The demand is so high that people waiting to travel say slots for appointment for visa interviews get booked as soon as they open.

Students have to be present at the universities by the end of July or August. Since June 14, the US consulate has been offering appointments for July and August for people to submit biometrics and to appear for interviews.

As this is considered as a sign of the US trying to open its borders for international travel, people waiting to travel back have also started to apply. But, it has not been easy.

The website slows down as too many people are trying. The US Consulate in Chennai is the nearest centre for people from Kerala, Karnataka and parts of Andhra Pradesh.

Suvarna K*(name changed), whose daughter needs to go to the US, said she was trying every morning but had not got the slots for Chennai. “I prefer Chennai as travelling to Mumbai or Delhi is not preferred now. There are too many people applying as students admitted to undergraduate and postgraduate courses and for doctoral studies have to travel soon.”

People travelling for work have been hit. Sanjeev Kumar*, who needs to join work next month in the US, said the site is down every now and then. “The slots are booked soon after they appear. I am hoping to get through soon. I have been working from home in Chennai but a project has come up which needs my presence. The company has given the green signal. But I am finding it tough to get the appointment for a visa.”

Basheer Ahmed of Chennai Metro Travels said the demand for travel was high from Chennai because students prefer US universities and many have relatives there. “This is a good sign. Only students and those returning to work are travelling now. But many who want to visit relatives are calling up travel agents. If so many people want to travel now, there will be good traffic if the US allows direct flights from India. It will help resume international travel.”

A spokesperson for US Consulate General Chennai said since June 14, thousands of students have secured visa appointments for July-August. “Thousands of appointments remain available and we will open thousands more in coming weeks. Due to the high volumes of demand, some applicants may encounter system delays. We encourage them to be patient... Applicants should remember to not refresh too often, as they may be locked out of their account.”

TIME TO REOPEN: A view of the Chennai airport. Several tour operators have said the demand for travel is high from Chennai because students prefer US universities

நெல்லை எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் உட்பட 42 ரயில்கள் பயணியர் வருகை குறைவால் ரத்து

நெல்லை எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் உட்பட 42 ரயில்கள் பயணியர் வருகை குறைவால் ரத்து

https://www.dinamalar.com/news_detail.asp?id=2785569

Added : ஜூன் 16, 2021 01:11

சென்னை:பயணியர் வருகை குறைவால், சோழன், உழவன், நீலகிரி, நெல்லை, மதுரை, ராமேஸ்வரம், ஏற்காடு எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் உட்பட, தமிழகத்தில் 42 ரயில்கள் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டு உள்ளன.

அதன் விபரம்:*சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர்., சென்ட்ரல் - ஐதராபாத் இடையே தினமும் இயக்கப் படும் ஐதராபாத் சிறப்பு ரயில்;

சென்னை சென்ட்ரல் - ஈரோடு இடையே தினமும் இயக்கப்படும் ஏற்காடு சிறப்பு ரயில்

*சென்னை எழும்பூர் - திருச்சி; சென்னை எழும்பூர் - கேரள மாநிலம் கொல்லம் இடையே தினமும் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில்கள்

*சென்னை எழும்பூர் - தஞ்சை இடையே இயக்கப்படும் உழவன் சிறப்பு ரயில்;

சென்னை சென்ட்ரல் - கேரள மாநிலம் ஆலப்புழா இடையே தினமும் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில்

*சென்னை சென்ட்ரல் - மேட்டுப்பாளையம் நீலகிரி எக்ஸ்பிரஸ்; சென்னை சென்ட்ரல் - கேரள மாநிலம் திருவனந்தபுரம் இடையே தினமும் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில்

*சென்னை எழும்பூர் - -மன்னார்குடி; தாம்பரம் - நாகர்கோவில் எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் சிறப்பு ரயில்கள்

*சென்னை எழும்பூர் - ராமேஸ்வரம்; நாகர்கோவில் - கோவை; மதுரை - கேரள மாநிலம் புனலுார் இடையே தினமும் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில்கள்

*திருவனந்தபுரம் - மதுரை சிறப்பு ரயில் இந்த ரயில்கள் எல்லாம், இன்று முதல், ஜூலை 1ம் தேதி வரை ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளன. இந்த ரயில்கள் அனைத்தும் இரு வழியிலும் ரத்தாகி உள்ளன.

வாராந்திர ரயில்கள்

*சென்னை சென்ட்ரல் - மதுரை இடையே, வாரத்தில் மூன்று நாள் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில்

*சென்னை எழும்பூர் - நாகர்கோவில் வாராந்திர சிறப்பு ரயில்

*தாம்பரம் - நாகர்கோவில் இடையே, வாரத்தில் மூன்று நாட்கள் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில்

*சென்னை எழும்பூர் - மதுரை இடையே, வாரத்தில் மூன்று நாட்கள் இயக்கப்படும் ரயில்இந்த ரயில்கள் எல்லாம் இன்று முதல், ஜூலை 1ம் தேதி வரை ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளன

*சென்னை சென்ட்ரல் - கோவை வாராந்திர சிறப்பு ரயில், கோவையில் இருந்து, 18, 25ம் தேதிகளிலும், சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து, 19, 26ம் தேதிகளிலும் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது

*கேரள மாநிலம் திருவனந்தபுரம் - சென்னை சென்ட்ரல் இடையே இயக்கப்படும் வாராந்திர எக்ஸ்பிரஸ்,

*திருவனந்தபுரத்தில் இருந்து, 19, 26ம் தேதிகளிலும், எம்.ஜி.ஆர்., சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து, 20, 27ம் தேதிகளிலும் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது

*புதுச்சேரி - கன்னியாகுமரி வாராந்திர சிறப்பு ரயில், புதுச்சேரியில் இருந்து, 20, 27ம் தேதிகளிலும், கன்னியாகுமரியில் இருந்து, 21, 28ம் தேதிகளிலும் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டு உள்ளது.

Huge shortage of bodies for medical study

Huge shortage of bodies for medical study

Sangamesh.Menasinakai@timesgroup.com

Hubballi:16.06.2021 

Medical Council of India (MCI) norms state 10 MBBS students should have access to one cadaver to dissect and study, but authorities say the ratio has fallen to one cadaver for every 25 students as body donations have been hit due to the pandemic.

Authorities fear that if the trend prevails, there won’t be any cadavers for students next year. The overarching fear is spread of the cornonavirus through cadavers, but experts say ICMR or the government should draw up guidelines so that donations can resume.

Dr Mahantesh Ramannavar, anatomy lecturer and founder of Dr Ramannavar Charitable Trust that spread awareness on cadaver donations, said he was disappointed as 52 pledged bodies could not be donated in North Karnataka since last year.

“Not a single cadaver was accepted in any government or private medical college in the state due to the pandemic,” Dr Ramannavar said. “Only some private medical colleges accepted a few bodies when the first wave receded. ICMR and WHO have suggested not to embalm Covid bodies. But most colleges have extended that caution to non-covid bodies too.”

Dr AS Nagalikar, assistant professor, anatomy department, BIMS, Belagavi, said bodies can’t be taken for dissection without proper safety measures. “State-run medical college mortuaries are under stress since deaths have increased. A dedicated cold storage is needed for 4-6 bodies. Despite bodies being asymptomatic, chances of infectivity are high. So, RTPCR tests must be conducted before handing over the body to the anatomy department.”

FAQs

 

HC asks Bar Council to explain how it intends to rein in unruly advocates

HC asks Bar Council to explain how it intends to rein in unruly advocates

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:16.06.2021

Lawyers defying law-enforcers beware. Madras high court has redflagged the ‘practice’ of lawyers picking up fight with police and other law enforcing agency personnel, and has directed the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to explain what mechanism did it have in place to rein in unruly advocates.

“It is a harsh reality that instances of such nature by the members of the legal fraternity are on the increase,” said Justice M Dhandapani, directing the Bar council to file a report within two days, explaining the mechanism that is in place for taking action against lawyers who misbehave in public place with officials on duty.

The judge was hearing an anticipatory bail pleas of a woman lawyer, Tanuja Rajan alias Tanuja Kanthula, and her law student-daughter, who apprehended arrested in connection with a case registered against them for having quarrelled with and threatened policemen enforcing lockdown protocol a couple of weeks ago.

It is the Chetpet police case that on June 6, cops on duty stopped Preeti’s car for lockdown violation, but a while later Tanuja Rajan came in another car, abused them and threatened them of dire consequences.

Noting that such behaviour in public demeaned the legal profession, Justice Dhandapani impleaded the Bar council suo motu, and said: “Though, for unruly and indiscipline behaviour, other persons who work for one or other arm of the government, mechanism of disciplinary action is contemplated under the relevant Acts and rules governing the service, when it comes to legal fraternity, the initiative and control vest with the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu, to take appropriate action against such unruly advocates who involve themselves in these kinds of acts, which demeans the profession.”

Disapproving of some high-handed activities indulged in by lawyers against members of law enforcing agency, Justice Dhandapani said the present anticipatory bail pleas had a larger ramification with regard to the conduct of the members of the legal fraternity vis-a-vis officials of the government, and the Bar Council’s responsibility to take action against its members.

Medical university refuses to register thirteen students

Medical university refuses to register thirteen students

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:16.06.2021

Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University has turned down registrations for at least 13 students who have joined five self-financing medical colleges in 2020 after the state selection committee raised a red flag over procedural violation overlooking merit. The directorate of medical education will ask the college to discharge these students and seek explanation for illegal admissions, officials said.

The selection committee under the directorate of medical education, which allots students to medical colleges – government or private – hands over vacant seats to respective self-financing college at the end of the counselling session. As as per guidelines from the Supreme Court of India the committee also gives them a list of ten students drawn from the merit list for every vacant seat. Managements of self-financing colleges must use students from this list and complete admissions within a specific date.

During 2020 admissions five medical colleges – six students Karpagam Faculty of Medical Sciences and Research Hospital, four students from Madha Medical College & Research Institute and one student each from Panimalar Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research and Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College and Hospital – had admitted students whose names did not figure in the list of students given by the medical council. Although all the students had cleared NEET and qualified for admissions, several others with better scores may have been denied a seat.

When the selection committee secretary Dr P Vasanthamani red flagged the admissions, health department advised her to follow norms laid down by the National Medical Commission and state medical university. “Students admitted to the college had marks much below the list we had sent,” said Dr Vasanthamani.

Cops leave for U’khand to nab Siva Sankar Baba

Cops leave for U’khand to nab Siva Sankar Baba

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:06.06.2021 

A police team has left for Dehradun in Uttarakhand to apprehend Sri Siva Sankar Baba, founder of Sushil Hari International School in Kelambakkam, in connection with the Pocso case slapped on him.

Meanwhile, the CB-CID police have issued a look-out circular to all the airports in the country to prevent him from leaving abroad by air.

The Mamallapuram allwomen police registered a case against Siva Sankar Baba based on the complaint of the students and former students. As the case was transferred to the CB-CID for further investigation, the police team visited the Sushil Hari international school and questioned the staff who said that the school founder had gone on a pilgrimage to Uttarakhand where he was admitted to a private hospital following an illness.

Following this, the police team left for Dehradun.

The CB-CID police have also registered a case against two school teachers and administrators of the international school Bharathi and Deepa under nine Sections of IPC including the Pocso Act. The issue came to light, after many former students openly discussed and shared their harrowing experiences at the school and harassment meted out by the school founder through social media. Based on this, the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued summons to the school administration and conducted inquiries, which went on for about a week.

‘TN prepared to tackle third wave’

‘TN prepared to tackle third wave’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai  16.06.2021 

Tamil Nadu government is fully prepared in case the third wave of Covid-19 strikes the state, minister for medical and family welfare Ma Subramanian said on Tuesday.

Replying to a question on the comment made by a medical expert from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi about the likely third wave, the health minister said that it was only speculative.

“The prediction of the medical expert from AIIMS was not confirmed. Yet, Tamil Nadu has geared up with 70,000 beds with oxygen supply even if the third wave hits us,” he told reporters in Thanjavur while inspecting and holding review meeting on Covid-19 related work.

On shortage of vaccines in the state, the minister said that 1.5 crore doses have been used out of the 1.10 crore received till Monday night. He also said the state received 6.16 lakh vaccines on Tuesday. “The vaccines will be distributed among districts. Centre assured to send us 42 lakh doses by June-end,” he said.

Residents struggle as e-registration site not updated

Residents struggle as e-registration site not updated

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:  16.06.2021 

Several relaxations in lockdown norms including availing services at government offices and banks have been announced, but residents of Chennai and its suburbs have been unable to apply for e-registration on the official portal to be able to make use of these services.

Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) began accepting driving licence and learner’s licence applications, but that option is not available on the list of reasons allowed to commute within Chennai city or from neighbouring districts.

Similarly, there is no option to travel in case of visa appointments. R Sundararajan, a native of Bengaluru, plans to travel to Chennai on June 17 (Thursday) for his daughter’s US student visa appointment, but has not been able to apply for e-registration. “There is no such option available for travelling to Chennai for the said reason,” he said.

T Sadagopan, a residentactivist from Avadi, said hundreds of working professionals from private and government sectors had shifted their residences from core city to suburban areas in the recent past. “It is common knowledge that getting addresses changed in government ID proof documents is not easy in Tamil Nadu. So these people still have to travel to the city for banks and ration shops (to avail food items and ₹2,000 incentive),” he said.

A senior official in the revenue and disaster management department said no e-registration is required for intra-district travel to government offices.

However, residents from western suburbs, particularly Pattabiram or Thirunindravur, say that every time they cross the Avadi border, police ask for e-registration documents. Even when Avadi falls under Greater Chennai Police (GCP) limit, the law enforcers seek e-registration documents because technically it is located in the revenue district of Tiruvallur.

V Gokul of Adambakkam said there was no clarity on whether passengers needed e-registration even if they booked a cab (Ola or Uber) to reach his optical shop in Nanganallur.

“There was no proper response from the helpline. So the driver and I registered separately to avoid trouble. Such duplications can be avoided if there is better clarity from the government. Besides, the online server is getting crashed frequently during working hours as site traffic increases manifold. This too needs to be addressed,” he said.

A senior official in the revenue and disaster management department said no e-registration is required for intra-district travel to government offices

முடிவுரைக்கு முகவுரை எழுத நியமிக்கப்பட்டதா ராஜன் குழு?

முடிவுரைக்கு முகவுரை எழுத நியமிக்கப்பட்டதா ராஜன் குழு?

Added : ஜூன் 14, 2021 23:38

மருத்துவ மாணவர் சேர்க்கைக்கான, 'நீட்' தேர்வின் தாக்கம் பற்றி ஆய்வு செய்து அறிக்கை தர, ஓய்வுபெற்ற நீதிபதி ஏ.கே.ராஜன் தலைமையில் அமைக்கப்பட்ட குழு, கடும் விமர்சனங்களை சந்தித்து வருகிறது.

முதலில், 'நீட்' தேர்வால் ஏற்படும் பாதிப்பு பற்றி ஆராயவே குழு அமைக்கப்பட்டதாக சொல்லப்பட்டது. ஆனால், குழுவின் விபரங்கள் வெளியிடப்பட்ட போது, பாதிப்பு என்பது, தாக்கம் என மாற்றப்பட்டது. அதாவது, நீட் தேர்வில் கெட்டது மட்டுமல்ல, நல்லது என்ன நடந்திருக்கிறது என்றும் சீர்துாக்கிப் பார்த்து, தன் கருத்துகளைத் தெரிவிக்கவே, இக்குழு அமைக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது.இருப்பினும், குழுவில் உள்ள உறுப்பினர்கள், அந்த பாரபட்சமற்ற பார்வையோடு அணுகுவர் என்பதற்கான முகாந்திரமே தெரியவில்லை என்கின்றனர், கல்வியாளர்கள்.

ஏனெனில், குழுவில் நீதிபதி ராஜனை தவிர, உறுப்பினர்களாக டாக்டர் ஜி.ஆர்.ரவீந்திரநாத்தும், டாக்டர் ஜவஹர் நேசனும் நியமிக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளனர். மீதமுள்ள ஆறு பேர் அரசுத்துறை செயலர்கள்.ஆலோசனை கேட்பராஇதில், ரவீந்திரநாத், சமூக சமத்துவத்துக்கான மருத்துவர்கள் சங்கத்தின் பொதுச்செயலர். இந்த அமைப்பு, இந்திய கம்யூனிஸ்ட் கட்சியின் ஓர் அங்கம். 'டிவி' மற்றும் பத்திரிகை பேட்டிகளில், நுழைவுத் தேர்வுகள் பற்றிய கடுமையான விமர்சனங்களையே, இது நாள் வரை ரவீந்திரநாத் முன்வைத்து வருகிறார்.கல்வியாளரான ஜவஹர் நேசன், ஒரு தனியார் பல்கலையின் முன்னாள் துணைவேந்தர். கடந்த ஆண்டு வெளியான, தேசிய கல்விக் கொள்கையை கடுமையாக விமர்சித்தவர். 'இந்துத்வா தத்துவத்தின் அடிப்படையில் உருவான, தேசிய கல்விக் கொள்கையை நிராகரிக்கிறேன்' என்று கருத்து சொன்னவர். அதற்காக ஒரு புத்தகம் எழுதி, அது தமிழிலும் மொழிபெயர்க்கப்பட்டு வெளியாகி உள்ளது. இவரும், நுழைவுத் தேர்வுகளுக்கு ஆதரவாக பேசப் போவதில்லை.அப்படி என்றால், 'நீட் தேர்வு மோசம்; அதனால், பாதிப்பு தான் ஏற்பட்டிருக்கிறது; அது வேண்டாம்' என்று எழுதப்பட்டுள்ள முடிவுரைக்கு, இந்தக் குழு சான்றுகளை தேடி, வலு சேர்க்கத் தான் உருவாக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதோ என்ற சந்தேகத்தை கல்வியாளர்கள் எழுப்புகின்றனர்

.மேலும், இந்தக் குழு எப்படி கருத்துகளைக் கேட்டு அறியப் போகிறது என்ற, தெளிவும் இல்லை. ஆணையம் அமைக்கப்படுமானால், அது சம்பந்தப்பட்டவர்களுக்கு சம்மன் அனுப்பி, விபரங்களை சேகரிக்கும். இல்லாவிட்டால், விருப்பமுள்ளவர்கள் ஆணையத்தின் முன் ஆஜராகி, தங்கள் தரப்பு வாதத்தை எழுத்துபூர்வமாக வழங்க முடியும்.ஆனால், அமைக்கப்பட்டு இருப்பதோ குழு. இதற்கான சட்ட அந்தஸ்து என்ன என்பதும் தெளிவில்லாமல் உள்ளது. இவர்கள் எந்தக் கல்வியாளரையாவது கூப்பிட்டு, ஆலோசனை கேட்பரா என்பதும் தெரியவில்லை. பொதுமக்கள் தரப்பில் இருந்து, நீட் தேர்வு நியாயத்தை எழுத்து பூர்வமாகப் பெற, வாய்ப்பு அளிக்கப்படுமா என்றும் தெரியவில்லை அல்லது குழுவுக்குள்ளேயே பேசி, அறிக்கை தயாரிப்பரா என்பதும் தெளிவில்லை.அத்துடன், இவர்கள் சமர்ப்பிக்கும் அறிக்கை மீது, என்ன நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வாய்ப்புள்ளது என்பதிலும் தெளிவில்லை. 

இதை வைத்து, உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்தில் மேல்முறையீடு செய்ய முடியுமா... ஏற்கனவே, உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்தின் அறிவுறுத்தலின் பெயரில் தான், நாடெங்கும் மருத்துவ கல்விக்கான நீட் தேர்வு நடத்தப்படுகிறது.இது தொடர்பாக, எந்த நீதிமன்றத்தில் வழக்கு தொடுக்கப்பட்டாலும், அது உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்துக்கு மாற்றப்படுகிறது. மருத்துவ கல்வி பயில, மாணவர்கள் தங்களை தகுதிபடுத்திக் கொள்ள வேண்டும் என்பதில், உச்ச நீதிமன்றம் உறுதியாக இருக்கிறது.தார்மீக மரியாதைஇந்நிலையில், நீதிபதி ராஜன் குழுவின் அறிக்கைக்கு என்ன வலிமை உள்ளது, அதன் பயன் என்ன என்ற கேள்விகளை, பல பெற்றோரும், கல்வியாளர்களும் எழுப்புகின்றனர்.

இந்தக் குழு நியாயமாகவே நடந்து கொள்ளலாம். ஆனால், நியாயமாக நடப்பது வெளிப்படையாக தெரிந்தால் தான் நம்பிக்கை வரும். நீட் தேர்வால் பலன்கள் உள்ளன என்பதை வெளிப்படையாக தெரிவித்து வரும் கல்வியாளர்களில் ஒருவரையேனும், இந்தக் குழுவில் நியமித்திருந்தால், நீதிபதி ராஜன் குழுவுக்கு ஒரு தார்மீக மரியாதை கிடைத்து இருக்கும்.இல்லையேல், இது ஆட்சியாளர்களின் நீட் எதிர்ப்பு கருத்துக்கு வலு சேர்க்கும், ஆவணங்கள் சேகரித்து கொடுக்கும், 'உதவியாளர்' குழுவாகவே மாறிப் போய்விடும் என, அச்சம் தெரிவிக்கின்றனர் கல்வியாளர்கள்.ஒன்றும் செய்ய முடியாது: அலெக்ஸ்தமிழக பா.ஜ., வழக்கறிஞர்கள் பிரிவு செயலர் அலெக்ஸ் கூறியதாவது:'நீட்' தேர்வு விவகாரத்தை ஆராய்ந்து, அரசுக்கு தன் பரிந்துரையை அளிக்க, கமிஷன் போடுவர் என்றே எதிர்பார்க்கப்பட்டது. ஆனால், தமிழக அரசோ புத்திசாலித்தனமாக, ஓய்வு பெற்ற நீதிபதி ஏ.கே.ராஜன் தலைமையில் குழு அமைத்திருக்கிறது. இந்தக் குழு கூடி விவாதித்து, தன் கருத்தாக அரசுக்கு எதைத் தெரிவித்தாலும், அதனால் ஒன்றும் ஆகிவிடாது. கல்வியை மத்திய - மாநில அரசுகள் சட்டம் இயற்றி, நடைமுறைப்படுத்தும் வகையில் தான், இந்திய அரசியல் அமைப்பு சட்டத்தின் பகுதிகள் அமைக்கப்பட்டிருக்கின்றன.அதனால், கல்வி தொடர்பாக, மத்திய - மாநில அரசுகள் தனித்தனியாக சட்டம் இயற்றும் அதிகாரம் இருந்தாலும், இயற்றப்படும் சட்டங்களில் எது இறுதியில் செல்லுபடியாகும் என்றால், மத்திய அரசு கொண்டு வரும் சட்டம் தான். 

இப்படித்தான், பல பிரச்னைகளில் ஏற்கனவே முடிவுகள் ஏற்பட்டு இருக்கின்றன.நீட் விவகாரமும் அப்படிபட்டதே. உச்ச நீதிமன்ற உத்தரவின் அடிப்படையில் தான், நாடு முழுதும் மருத்துவ கல்வியில் சேர, நீட் தேர்வுக்கான சட்டம் இயற்றப்பட்டு, அது மத்திய அரசால் செயல்படுத்தப்படுகிறது.எனவே, இதில் எதுவும் செய்ய முடியாது என, எல்லா மாநில அரசுகளும், நீட் தேர்வை ஏற்றுக் கொண்டு விட்டன. எல்லா மாநிலங்களும் ஏற்றுக் கொண்ட ஒரு விஷயத்தை, தமிழகம் மட்டும் ஏற்க மாட்டோம் என்றால், அது சட்ட ரீதியில் ஏற்கத்தக்கதல்ல.இதை பல்வேறு வழக்குகளின் தீர்ப்பு வழியாக, உச்ச நீதிமன்றம் தெள்ளத் தெளிவாக சொல்லி விட்டது. இருந்தும், தேர்தலுக்கு முன் வெற்று வாக்குறுதியை மக்களிடம், தி.மு.க., அளித்து விட்டது. 'நீட் தேர்வை ரத்து செய்வோம்' எனக்கூறி, ஆட்சிக்கு வந்து விட்டனர்.நீட் தேர்வை எக்காரணம் கொண்டும் ரத்து செய்ய முடியாது என்பது, தி.மு.க., ஆட்சியாளர்களுக்கும் நன்கு தெரியும். ஆனால், மக்களிடம் கொடுத்த வாக்குறுதிக்காக, குழு போடுகிறோம்; கருத்து கேட்கிறோம் என, இப்போது நாடகம் நடத்துகின்றனர். 

தற்போது போடப்பட்டிருக்கும், நீதிபதி ராஜன் தலைமையிலான குழு கூடி, தங்களுக்குள் விவாதித்து, தங்களுடைய கருத்தாக, தமிழக அரசுக்கு அறிக்கை அளிக்கும். அந்தக் கருத்தை மேற்கோள்காட்டி, மத்திய அரசுக்கு, தங்கள் பரிந்துரையை தமிழக அரசு அனுப்பி வைக்கும்; அதனால், ஒன்றும் நடக்கப் போவதில்லை. மத்திய அரசுக்கு, கமிட்டியின் பரிந்துரையை அனுப்பி நடவடிக்கைக்காக காத்திருக்கிறோம் என்று சொல்லி, இங்கே ஏமாற்று நாடகம் நடத்திக் கொண்டிருப்பர். நீட் தேர்வு வழக்கம் போல, இந்தாண்டும் நடக்கும் என்றால், குழப்பத்தில் இருக்கும் மாணவர்கள், எப்படி தேர்வுக்கு தயாராகுவர் என்பது தான் வேதனை. கல்வி சம்பந்தப்பட்ட விஷயங்களில், தமிழக அரசு இதுபோல குழப்பத்திற்கு மேல் குழப்பம் விளைவித்து, மாணவர்கள் வாழ்க்கையில் விளையாடக் கூடாது.இவ்வாறு அலெக்ஸ் கூறினார்.

மத்திய அரசு அதிகாரிகள் அலுவலகம் வர உத்தரவு

மத்திய அரசு அதிகாரிகள் அலுவலகம் வர உத்தரவு

Updated : ஜூன் 15, 2021 08:42 | Added : ஜூன் 15, 2021 08:40

புதுடில்லி : மத்திய அரசு பணியில், சார்புச் செயலர் மற்றும் அதற்கு மேற்பட்ட பதவிகளில் உள்ள அதிகாரிகள் அனைவரும், நாளை முதல் அனைத்து வேலை நாட்களிலும் அலுவலகம் வந்து பணியாற்ற, மத்திய அரசு உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

மத்திய அரசு பணியாளர்கள் நலத்துறை அமைச்சகம் நேற்று வெளியிட்டுள்ள அறிக்கையில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளதாவது:மத்திய அரசுப் பணியில், சார்புச் செயலர் பதவிக்கு கீழ் உள்ள பணியாளர்களில் 50 சதவீதம் பேர், நாளை முதல் அனைத்து வேலை நாட்களிலும் அலுவலகம் வந்து பணியாற்ற வேண்டும். இதர பணியாளர்கள் வீட்டில் இருந்து பணியாற்றலாம். சார்புச் செயலர் மற்றும் அதற்கு மேற்பட்ட பதவிகளில் உள்ள அதிகாரிகள் அனைவரும், நாளை முதல் அனைத்து வேலை நாட்களிலும் அலுவலகம் வந்து பணியாற்ற வேண்டும்.

கைகளை கழுவுதல், முக கவசம் அணிதல், தனிமனித இடைவெளி கடைப்பிடித்தல் உள்ளிட்ட கொரோனா தடுப்பு விதிமுறைகள் கண்டிப்புடன் கடைப்பிடிக்கப்பட வேண்டும். அலுவலகம் மூன்று நேரங்களாக பிரித்து செயல்படும்.மாற்றுத்திறனாளிகள், கர்ப்பிணியர் அலுவலகம் வருவதில் இருந்து விலக்கு அளிக்கப்படுகிறது. மறு அறிவிப்பு வரும் வரை அவர்கள் வீட்டில் இருந்து பணியாற்ற அனுமதி அளிக்கப்படுகிறது. கட்டுப்பாட்டு மண்டலங்களாக அறிவிக்கப் பட்ட பகுதிகளில் வசிப்பவர்கள், அந்த அறிவிப்பு விலக்கிக் கொள்ளப்படும் வரை வீட்டில் இருந்து பணியாற்றலாம்.

வீட்டில் இருந்து பணியாற்றுபவர்கள், தொலைபேசி அல்லது மற்ற மின்னணு தொடர்பு சாதனங்கள் வாயிலாக எந்த நேரத்திலும் தொடர்பு கொள்ளும் வகையில் இருக்க வேண்டும். அனைத்து கூட்டங்களும் 'வீடியோ கான்பரன்ஸ்' வாயிலாக மட்டுமே நடத்தப்பட வேண்டும். மிக முக்கியமான மக்கள் நலன் சார்ந்த பணிகளுக்கான கூட்டங்களை மட்டும் அவசியம் ஏற்படும் பட்சத்தில் நேரடியாக நடத்தலாம்.அலுவலகத்தில் வைத்து அலுவல் ரீதியாக வெளி ஆட்களை சந்திப்பது தவிர்க்கப்பட வேண்டும். இந்த உத்தரவுகள் அனைத்தும் நாளை முதல் நடைமுறைக்கு வருகின்றன. இவ்வாறு அதில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Sudhakar to discuss RGUHS VC issue with governor

Sudhakar to discuss RGUHS VC issue with governor

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:15.06.2021

After the appointment of an interim vice-chancellor for Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences turned controversial, health and medical education minister K Sudhakar said he has sought an appointment with the governor on the issue.

“The matter would have been discussed with the governor, but due to Covid it could not be done. I have written to the governor regarding this. I will discuss this issue in person after getting his appointment. The matter has been discussed with the chief minister and the suggestions given by the CM will also be brought to his notice,” he said.

The minister was speaking at the valedictory ceremony of silver jubilee celebrations of RGUHS on Monday. “RGUHS is India’s largest and prestigious health sciences university. Our government is very clear that a person of eminence, excellent reputation and track record should be appointed VC of this university,” he said.

Dr Jayakara SM, principal, AECS Maruthi College of Dental Sciences, was last week appointed the interim vice-chancellor. Usually, a registrar or a dean of a government college holds the interim post. This is the first time in the history of RGUHS that a private college principal will hold the post of the VC, albeit as an interim arrangement.

Jayakara’s appointment will be effective from June 15 till a VC is appointed or until further orders.

Medicos are avoiding critical care streams

ASSAULTS ON DOCS

Medicos are avoiding critical care streams

FRONTLINE WARRIORS? Association Says Aspiring Docs Are Opting For Dermatology, Radiology To Avoid Stressful Confrontations

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:15.06.2021 

Following repeated instances of doctors being assaulted by irate relatives and friends of patients, many intelligent and deserving medcial students and medicos are choosing specialisations that do not involve emergency care.

“A scared, threatened doctor will eventually learn to safeguard herself. We are already seeing a trend where the most intelligent doctors are not opting for critical care expertise,” say members of Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors (KARD).

Dr Dayanand Sagar, president, KARD, said there has been a steep fall in demand to specialise in critical care and emergency medicine. He said the preference among top MBBS  graduates is for branches like dermatology and radiology which involve a safe working environment, fixed working hours, relaxation from night duty, and continuous work. “But this cannot be seen in PG NEET seat allocation data as no seat goes vacant,” he said.

A top doctor heading an ICU unit in Fortis hospital was allegedly assaulted and abused in filthy language on June 12 by a patient’s relative. A nurse working in the critical care team of the hospital was injured in the incident.

Dr Ganesh Prasad Mudraje, chairperson of the harassment committee, Indian Medical Association, Karnataka state chapter, concurred, saying young and aspiring doctors are hesitating to specialise in critical and emergency care.

“When a top doctor is assaulted, naturally younger doctors feel it could happen to anyone,” Dr Mudraje said. “Bright candidates are choosing engineering over medicine and are shying away from becoming doctors. Though there are stringent laws protecting healthcare workers, they are not effectively implemented. These laws are just paper tigers.”

He said incidents of doctors being attacked are occurring almost every week in Karnataka. He pointed out that on the one hand the government calls doctors frontline workers, but on the other they are becoming victims of assault by patients’ relatives. “There is no need to garland us. Respect our work. The imprint of such incidents will remain in the minds of young doctors,” he said.

JUST NOT DONE: Doctors of Fortis Hospital hold a protest against the attack on a colleague by a relative of a Covid-19 patient in Bengaluru on Monday

FORTIS HOSPITAL DOCS STAGE PROTEST

Doctors at Fortis hospital took out a silent march in front of Puttenahalli police station on Monday, condemning the assault on their colleagues. They handed over a memorandum to police officers.

“We are deeply anguished by the violence that took place in the hospital ICU on Saturday, June 12, 2021, wherein a patient’s relatives attacked a senior doctor and a nurse. While the doctor suffered severe head injuries, the nurse sustained grievous injuries to her abdomen,” Fortis hospital said in a statement.

A male patient admitted to the Covid ICU in Fortis hospital on May 5 tested negative on June 3. However, since he had developed severe lung infection and pneumonia, he was shifted to the non-Covid ICU on June 4. The hospital said the prolonged battle with Covid had weakened the patient and his health showed no improvement despite the best medical care.

“At Fortis, we have zero tolerance for any kind of physical or verbal abuse and we assure strict action will be taken against the defaulter,” the hospital said. TNN

Professionals, students travelling abroad yet to get vax certificates

Professionals, students travelling abroad yet to get vax certificates

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru: 15.06.2021

The Karnataka government’s decision to open up vaccination on priority for those seeking employment abroad rekindled hope in 38-year-old Milton (name changed), a seafarer waiting for months to report to work on a Gulf-based shipping vessel.

He rushed to a special camp at Bengaluru City University and took the second dose. That, however, has not ended his wait because he is yet to get his vaccination certificate. “If I get the certificate, I can fly out. I’m not sure when that happens.”

There are 157 other foreignbound working professionals and students whose travel plans are stuck over vaccination certificates. Covishield was administered to both categories, including those seeking a second dose after a 28-day gap.

Visa rush freezes US embassy portal

A scramble for interview slots among applicants who have to join US colleges led to glitches on the embassy portal as it resumed processing student visas on Monday. Applicants who kept refreshing looking for a slot were eventually locked out for “suspicious activity” for 72 hours. P 8

None who took 2nd dose got vaccine certificate

The government had organized a drive at the university campus to enable vaccination for students and employees heading abroad. While BBMP officials claimed the impasse is because CoWin does not recognize second doses given before the now-specified 84-day gap, a senior bureaucrat said the issue was rectified on Sunday to accommodate this category of vaccine recipients.

Under the new guidelines, the gap between two doses of Covishield is 84 days. But the state allowed students and professionals to avail the second dose within 28 days due to concerns that their travel plans could be in peril if the nations they are visiting insist on vaccination certificates.

The vaccination drive for 1,470 students and professionals was conducted between June 1 and 11. While all those who took their first dose got their certificates, none of the 158 persons who received their second dose has got it.

“The second certificate will be issued by registering on CoWin with a different phone number (belonging to the person or any family member) and not the one used earlier for the registration. We’ve collected and verified their data to ensure there are no errors. We will share details with BBMP,” said Lingaraju Gandhi, vice-chancellor, Bengaluru City University.

BBMP officials admitted to the issue. “The CoWin glitch was explained to the beneficiaries before the drive. Some became panicky, have been repeatedly asking about the certificate. The issue is being sorted out,” said an officer.

“Registering with a different mobile number could show a different date of vaccination than from the actual. The certificate may show the day of second registration as that of vaccination,” said a source. A BBMP officer said a similar problem could be faced by those who have taken the first dose in the drive.

Scramble for student visas freezes US embassy portal

Scramble for student visas freezes US embassy portal

Saurabh Sinha & Hemali Chhapia TNN

New Delhi/Mumbai

15.06.2021

A scramble for interview slots among applicants who have to join US colleges this fall led to glitches on the embassy portal as it resumed processing student visas in India on Monday.

“We are aware of the high demand for student visa appointments. Please remember, do not refresh too often, as you may be locked out of your account. Appointments remain available at all posts, and we will continue to add appointments as conditions allow,” the US Embassy said in a tweet on Monday after it resumed the process of facilitating travel for those who have to join colleges in July and August.

Students who kept refreshing in the hope of booking a slot were eventually locked out for “suspicious activity” for 72 hours. By afternoon, the site had a message that said: “We are down for maintenance”.

The embassy’s tweet warning students not to refresh too often drew scores of replies. “My account got locked without a prior warning. Many others are facing this issue too. Request you to unlock the accounts, at least this time,” said one. The consulate had held a webinar on June10 to hand out information on visas interviews and pre-boarding requirements. Officials had assured candidates that everyone would get a slot once the process opened. “Student visas remain a top priority for the US Mission to India and we are making every attempt to facilitate student travel in time for the fall semester,” the embassy had said.

However, an aspirant who is flying out for a post-doctoral programme said, “There was no clarity on the time when the embassy would open appointment slots. Many logged in a little after midnight. When we realized the site was not accepting bookings, we slept for a bit and logged in again early in the morning.” Another candidate said slots did open initially for Delhi and Kolkata, but as demand surged and applicants kept refreshing, they were locked out.

Study abroad counsellor Pratibha Jain said, “This is the first time the consulate website has crashed. I am surprised they did not anticipate the rush. Nobody was able to open the site. Going by the previous numbers about 80,000 to1 lakh students must have logged in at the same time; it is like opening a two-by-two door for entry into a large stadium; there is going to be a stampede.” Another counsellor added: “Ideally, the process should have been staggered.” Students who have been locked out have requested the embassy to unblock their accounts. One applicant’s father tweeted asking for locked accounts to be reopened: “Please empathise and let not our kids go through more stress.” Another said: “The site kept crashing leaving us with no choice but to log in multiple times and now we’ve been blocked for 72 hours.”

Students who kept refreshing in the hope of booking a slot were eventually locked out for “suspicious activity” for 72 hours

Doctors from govt colleges hold protest demanding stipend hike

Doctors from govt colleges hold protest demanding stipend hike

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:15.06.2021

Around 300 resident doctors from major government medical colleges in Chennai gathered at Stanley Medical College Hospital on Monday and staged a black-badge demonstration as their stipend hike demand goes unanswered.

These postgraduate doctors, who have been treating covid patients since the onset of the pandemic, claimed that their monthly stipend remained unchanged for years now.

A non-service PG in Tamil Nadu receives ₹37,000 to ₹47,000 as monthly stipend from the government. This was the lowest in the country, claim Tamil Nadu Resident Doctors’ Association (TNRDA), which met Chief Minister MK Stalin, Health Minister Ma Subramanian and other health authorities recently to present their demand.

Their counterparts at Gujarat earn double of what they earn now. PGs in other states like Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh resorted to statewide protests boycotting work. Subsequently, these state governments were forced to revise the pay.

R Vignesh from TNRDA said, “We don’t want to disturb services or treatment offered to patients in any way. That is why we organised a demonstration in which only doctors,who were off-duty or in their resting hours, participated”.

Once covid cases started to reduce, there is a huge backlog of non-covid cases and surgeries to be done. So PG doctors and Compulsory Rotatory Residential Interns (CRRIs) will once again start to work 18 hours a day. So the government should soon provide us with a respectable increase in stipend, he added.

TNRDA wanted the state to increase the stipend annually by 10% so that their juniors will not face the same issue a few years down the line. Though TN ministers have not said no to their demand and agreed to make a proposal, there is nothing official yet.

A senior health official in response said that they were provided with a one-time incentive of ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 and their food, quarantine expenses at star hotelsweretaken careof by the government. Their current demand about stipend is also under discussion, he said.

UP IN ARMS: Resident doctors of city government hospitals during a black-badge protest at Stanley Medical College and Hospital on Monday

No income, Snake Park staring at closure

No income, Snake Park staring at closure

Oppili.P@timesgroup.com

Chennai:15.06.2021 

The city’s iconic snake park, a pioneer in educating people on reptiles, is staring at closure. Since March 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, collection from visitors, the main source of revenue, has dwindled and the authorities are struggling to pay salaries to workers.

In normal times, executive chairman S Paulraj said, the annual revenue through visitor entry tickets was around ₹75 lakh (₹6.5 lakh-₹7 lakh per month). Of this, nearly ₹4 lakh a month was spent on salaries for the 20-plus workers and another ₹2 lakh for feeding the reptiles.

Now, with the park locked down and reserve funds fast depleting, it is crisis time, he said. Last year, the park managed the salaries and feed expenses, thanks to some generous donations, Paulraj said.

Despite the tremendous difficulties in getting funds, the park at the height of the pandemic managed to successfully breed Gangetic Ghariyals and pythons in captivity. “This is considered an important achievement with regard to conservation, but it has added to the financial stress of the park,” he said.

The park now houses about 300 reptiles comprising 20 species of snakes, three species of crocodiles, lizards and turtles.

In an effort to tide over the crisis, it has been proposed to run the park with a reduced staff strength and with a 50% pay for the next couple of months.

The Trust that runs the park, being a non-profit organization, has not retained the excess revenue of the past years and has appealed to both the state governor and chief minister to provide funds for running the park and to overcome the financial conditions, he added.

CITY LANDMARK: Indian rock python hatchlings hatched successfully at the snake park in July 2020, at the height of the pandemic

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.