City’s RTI activists urge TN to start portal for e-filing of applications

City’s RTI activists urge TN to start portal for e-filing of applications 

The Times Of India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:

Right to Information (RTI) Act activists in the city are keenly awaiting the newly elected DMK-led Tamil Nadu government to effect changes in the way the Act is implemented in the state.

For starters, activists want the state government to implement filing of RTIs through an online portal for all government departments.

The previous AIADMK-led government had implemented online filing of RTIs on a trial basis only for the Personnel and Administrative Reforms (P&AR) department. However, with a glut in applications, the portal has been forced to clarify that only applications pertaining to the department would be accepted.

In neighbouring Puducherry, RTI applications to more than 50 departments can be filed online through the Central government’s portal rtionline.gov.in.

Pavan Gandhi, an RTI activist and advocate, said that the software of the central government is available and it is not impossible to replicate it at the state level. “But the question is whether the government wants to be transparent. Online filing of RTI applications makes it easier for the applicant while physical filing is cumbersome. Reduced paperwork in the wake of Covid-19 is also good,” he said.

Veteran RTI activist V Gopalakrishnan said that state finance minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan, who heads the P&AR department, is an internationally noted figure and hence should bring in similar transparency measures. “We have been discussing this online filing of RTIs since 2014. When we have brought in the best economists in the world to advise our state government, why shouldn’t our technology also be advanced,” Gopalakrishnan said.

Activists also pointed out that buying a court fee stamp for ₹10, which is a pre-requisite for physical RTI applications, is cumbersome as availability is limited. “Also, many vendors charge ₹2-3 extra for the court fee stamp,” Gopalakrishnan said.

The previous AIADMK-led government had implemented online filing of RTIs on a trial basis for the Personnel and Administrative Reforms (P&AR) department

TN seeks Centre’s nod to start UG medical courses in 11 new colleges

TN seeks Centre’s nod to start UG medical courses in 11 new colleges

The Times Of India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.06.2021 

The state is awaiting approval from the National Medical Commission to start undergraduate medical programmes in the 11 newly constructed medical colleges from 2021, health secretary J Radhakrishnan said on Tuesday. If the state gets the nod, it will add 1,650 seats to the undergraduate seat matrix, pushing the seat tally to 5,200 across government medical colleges.

The government has already appointed faculty and staff and work on construction of buildings has been expedited. “As per the NMC guidelines, we have made the campus ready for first year admissions. We are waiting for the committee to visit these campuses for inspection,” he said. The committee is likely to come for inspection next month. “If they find any discrepancies, we will rectify them before the second inspection,” he said after a meeting with members of Tamil Nadu Medical Council. The meeting was chaired by health minister Ma Subramanian.

As part of the national mission to increase the number of medical colleges across the country, the Centre had granted permission to Tamil Nadu for commencement of 11 new medical colleges in districts in Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Dindigul, The Nilgiris, Ariyalur, Nagapattinam, Kallakurichi, Tiruvallur, Tiruppur, Namakkal and Krishnagiri. The state, he said, was confident of getting their nod for all colleges.

The anatomy, physiology and biochemistry labs, library, hostels ₹ required for first year students ₹ have been completed. Tamil Nadu has allotted ₹2,470.93 crore during the interim budget in 2021 for these colleges. With this, most districts in the state will have at least one government medical college.

Besides increasing the number of seats, these colleges will help expand tertiary care to districts. The new medical colleges will help the health department provide quality medical training at affordable cost and offer speciality and super speciality care to people living in the area free of cost. “We are ensuring that the functioning 700-750 bed hospitals attached to these colleges have all the facilities to offer quality care,” he said.

Meanwhile, Subramanian said the doctors have placed their demands for better pay and compensation. “We know doctors have toiled through the pandemic...Their demand for pay government doctors’ pay hike was made in 2009. I will discuss the issue with the CM,” he said.

Doctor asked by patient to issue medical certificate for car insurance

Doctor asked by patient to issue medical certificate for car insurance

Meanwhile, a senior officer working with a vehicle insurance company confirmed that they would definitely ask for such certificates if the situation called for it.

Published: 23rd June 2021 06:29 AM |

By Krishnachand K

Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While doctors are used to being hounded by patients seeking medical certificates for a number of reasons from getting approval for a sick leave to filing a law suit, renowned oncologist Dr Boben Thomas was rather stunned by a request raised by one of his regular patients. The doctor was asked to issue a medical certificate for the patient’s car, in what he says is the first such incident he has experienced.

According to Dr Boben, the patient had rung him up with a request for a medical certificate that confirms the date of his consultation, because he needed to submit the certificate to a leading insurance company. The patient subsequently explained to the puzzled doctor that he got into an accident while returning home after the consultation, and when he approached the insurance company for damages, he was asked why the vehicle was on road when a statewide lockdown was in force. The medical certificate was to prove that the accident happened while he was travelling for a medical reason.

Dr Boben, who practises in Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram, told TNIE that this was the first time someone approached him for a medical certificate for the purpose of collecting vehicle insurance. “As the certificate was a logical requirement, it was issued stating that the patient had arrived in the vehicle,” he said. He also shared his experience on Facebook.

Meanwhile, a senior officer working with a vehicle insurance company confirmed that they would definitely ask for such certificates if the situation called for it. “We have the authority to ask the owner why the vehicle was taken out during the lockdown period. If it is a genuine case of medical emergency, we will ask for a medical certificate to prove if he used the car for that purpose. Some companies may ask for Out Patient (OP) tickets too. We could give a claim only if the person was out and about for an emergency requirement,” the officer said.

பிலிப்பைன்சில் தடுப்பூசி போடாதவர்களுக்கு சிறை

பிலிப்பைன்சில் தடுப்பூசி போடாதவர்களுக்கு சிறை

Updated : ஜூன் 23, 2021 07:24 

மணிலா : 'பிலிப்பைன்சில் கோவிட் தடுப்பூசியைப் போட மறுப்போருக்குச் சிறைத் தண்டனை விதிக்கப்படும்' என, அந்நாட்டு அதிபர் ரொட்ரிகோ டுட்டார்ட்டே எச்சரிக்கை விடுத்துள்ளார்.

பிலிப்பைன்ஸ் தலைநகர் மணிலாவின் தடுப்பூசி நிலையங்கள் சிலவற்றில், தடுப்பூசி போட்டுக்கொள்ளக் குறைவானவர்களே சென்றுள்ளனர். இதையடுத்து அந்நாட்டு அதிபர் ரொட்ரிகோ டுட்டார்ட்டே தெரிவித்துள்ளதாவது:

நாட்டின் மொத்த மக்கள் தொகையான 110 மில்லியனில் இந்த ஆண்டுக்குள் 70 மில்லியன் பேருக்குத் தடுப்பூசி போடுவது அரசாங்கத்தின் இலக்கு. இதுவரை அங்கு 2.1 மில்லியன் பேருக்கு இரு டோஸ் தடுப்பூசி போடப்பட்டுள்ளது. நாடு மருத்துவ நெருக்கடியில் இருக்கிறது. தடுப்பூசியைப் போட மறுப்போருக்குச் சிறைத் தண்டனை விதிக்கப்படும். இவ்வாறு எச்சரிக்கை விடுத்துள்ளார்.

டுட்டார்ட்டே தண்டனைகளுக்கு புகழ் பெற்றவர். போதை கடத்தல் கும்பல்களை ஈவு இரக்கமின்றி சுட்டுக்கொலை செய்ததால் அச்சமூட்டும் மனிதராக இவர் பார்க்கப்படுகிறார். எனவே இவரின் எச்சரிக்கைக்கு பலன் இருக்கும் என கருதப்படுகிறது.

Woman IPS Officer's Sexual Harassment Complaint: Madras High Court Extends CB-CID Probe By 6 Weeks

Woman IPS Officer's Sexual Harassment Complaint: Madras High Court Extends CB-CID Probe By 6 Weeks: The Madras High Court on Friday extended by six weeks, the time granted to CB-CID for completing the probe into alleged sexual harassment of a woman IPS officer by a senior police official (now...

Govt docs to go on strike on June 25

Govt docs to go on strike on June 25

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chandigarh:22.06.2021

Government doctors, including veterinary, medical, dental and rural medical officers and medical teachers, on Monday formed a joint front and announced to go on strike on June 25.

The government doctors are protesting against pay commission’s recommendation on decrease and de-linking of non-practising allowance from basic pay.

The doctors are arguing that the recommendation of sixth pay commission will reduce their salaries drastically. Earlier, the doctors were planning to go on a strike on June 23, but after assurance of resolving the issue was given by health minister Balbir Singh Sidhu, they postponed the strike to June 25.

Before launching their state-wide agitation, government doctors associations, including Punjab Civil Medical Services Association, Punjab State Veterinary Officers Association, PCMS Dental Association, Medical Teachers Association, Rural Medical Doctors Association, announced to form a common platform ‘Joint Government Doctors Coordination Committee, Punjab’.

Senior vice-president of the PCMS Association Dr Gagandeep Shergill said that the pay commissions were always constituted to make a realistic increase in the salaries of the employees.

At 67, grandma from Guj fulfils dream of a PhD

At 67, grandma from Guj fulfils dream of a PhD

Vadodara:22.06.2021

She had dreamt of becoming a doctor after a Parsi businessman told her father that she was brilliant in academics. But Usha Lodaya had to abandon her aspirations after she got married at the age of 20, reports TusharTere.

Almost five decades later, it was the fruition of a long-held dream when Usha passed her viva for PhD on Sunday. At 67, Usha, a resident of Harni Road, can finally prefix “Dr” to her name. “It took me almost 50 years to achieve something that I had aspired to when I was a teenager. Though not medical but I did get a doctorate degree,” Usha said. She completed her PhD in Jainism from Maharashtra-based Shatrunjay Academy with focus on the peace tenets preached by the religion.

“I got engaged by the age of 16 but I continued my studies and pursued BSc at Jhunjhunwala College in Mumbai. But I had to quit in the first-year after I got married when I turned 20,” Usha said.

Nobel laureate Esther Duflo, Raghuram Rajan in team to help revitalise TN's economy

Nobel laureate Esther Duflo, Raghuram Rajan in team to help revitalise TN's economy

Dr. Arvind Subramanian, former Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India, and Prof. Jean Dreze, noted development economist, will also be in the panel.

Published: 21st June 2021 12:41 PM |

Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan (Photo | PTI)

By T Muruganandham

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Giving a comprehensive policy outline of the DMK government on priority issues, Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Monday told the state Assembly that an Economic Advisory Council (EAC) comprising renowned economists including Nobel laureate Esther Duflo and former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan would be formed to advise the Tamil Nadu government on revitalising the state economy.

The other key announcements made by the Governor in his customary address to the first session of the 16th Assembly in Tamil Nadu include a white paper on the state’s finances, separate budget for agriculture, legislation to protect students from NEET, enacting a Right to Services Act to streamline the delivery of various public services by government agencies, according priority for Tamil medium students in state government jobs, setting up of satellite towns in suburban areas and forming a committee to formulate schemes for revival of MSMEs.

“The EAC is comprised of Nobel Laureate Prof Esther Duflo of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, Prof Raghuram Rajan, former Governor, Reserve Bank of India, Dr Arvind Subramanian, former Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India, Prof Jean Dreze, Development Economist and Dr S Narayan, former Union Finance Secretary,” the Governor said.

While outlining the policy initiatives, the Governor also touched upon the avowed ideologies of the DMK in his speech. Asserting that the DMK government would tread the path shown by social reformer ‘Thanthai’ Periyar, the Governor said, “This government is determined to transform Tamil Nadu into a state with a society with self-respect, with an empowered citizenry enjoying their rights and which is prosperous in all respects,” amidst thumping of desks by DMK MLAs.

Reiterating that this government is guided by the spirit of the Dravidian movement, and identifies social justice, gender equality, economic equity, opportunity-for-all through reservations, and progress through education and social reforms as its core values, the Governor said these values would drive every action, every legislation, every scheme and every initiative of this government.

The Governor also reiterated the DMK’s views on federalism and more powers for the state. “Strong states are needed to create a strong Union. This government will staunchly stand in defence of the rights of the states and constitutionally oppose any infringement of such rights. At the same time, we will maintain a cordial relationship with the Union government as partners in the process of nation building, in line with our policy of extending our hand in friendship, even as we speak up for our rights,” he underscored.

The DMK government, through the Governor’s address, assured the people that it would be a government for all and not one party’s government. “This government will be driven by the fundamental principle of social justice, “everything for everyone” and will serve as a government for all. This will be a people's government and not a party's government. This government will govern in a manner that all the people in the state will be united in proudly and wholeheartedly proclaiming it, “Our government”, the Governor added.

The Governor said this government would ensure that native Tamils, especially those that have studied in Tamil-medium and government schools, would be given priority in recruitment for government posts. The requisite changes to undo past orders which are contrary to this intent would be undertaken at the earliest.

Giving a detailed account on the expeditious steps taken for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and providing treatment to the affected persons, the Governor said so far, Rs 335.01 crore has poured in as contributions to the Chief Minister‟s Public Relief Fund from various quarters and of this Rs 241.10 crore has been allocated for COVID-related works.

Indicating that the new government is ready to face a third wave of Covid as medical experts have warned about it, the Governor said all necessary measures to counter the possible third wave would be taken. “Health infrastructure is being further strengthened. All the ongoing construction projects in the health sector, including that of the eleven new medical colleges, are being expedited for early completion. A new 500 bedded multi-specialty hospital will be constructed in the King Institute campus, Chennai, at a total cost of Rs 250 crore,” he added.

Highlights of the TN Governor’s address

To revitalise the state’s economy, an Economic Advisory Council to the Chief Minister with leading economic experts from all over the world as its members would be formed.

The Lok Ayukta will be revitalized and empowered to deal with complaints against public authorities including elected representatives and Government officials.

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption (DVAC) will be energized and pending complaints dealt with expeditiously.

A Right to Services Act will be introduced to streamline the delivery of various public services by government agencies.

New legislation to regulate groundwater use will be enacted to protect the interests of farmers and common people dependent on groundwater.

Will enact legislation to ensure that the students of Tamil Nadu are not adversely affected by NEET and will take steps to obtain the consent of the President for the same.

Satellite towns will be developed in sub-urban areas with modern amenities to decongest large cities in the state.

The preparation of the Third Master Plan for Chennai in consultation with all stakeholders will be completed well before the due date of 2026.

A Master Plan for fully realising Tamil Nadus tourism potential will be unveiled in the current year

A State Level Advisory Committee for all major Hindu temples will be constituted to enhance facilities for devotees, improve the maintenance of temples and to advise on related issues.

Native Tamils, especially those that have studied in Tamil-medium and in government schools, are given priority in recruitment for government posts.

The grievance redressal process for police personnel will be strengthened. Compassionate ground appointments will be expedited, especially in the case of those who die in the line of duty.

A white paper on the state’s finances will be released in July.

Separate budget for agriculture will be tabled in the State Assembly every year.

Uzhavar Sandhais (farmers’ markets) will be revitalized and more such farmers‟ markets will be established in the state.

This government will take all steps to achieve the target of 125 lakh metric tonnes of food grain production during 2021-22.

The Anna Centenary Library will be renovated and revitalised.

A mission mode project that will ensure continuity of education delivery will be implemented. ICT will be leveraged, and refresher courses will be delivered to children in order to make up for learning losses during the pandemic period.

An expert committee consisting of industrialists, banking and financial experts and government officials will be constituted to formulate schemes for revival of MSMEs.

Steps will be taken for establishing more industries in the northern districts covered under the Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor and the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor which are still industrially backward.

Singara Chennai 2.0 programme will be launched to provide modern world class infrastructure and services in Greater Chennai Corporation.

Necessary steps will be taken to expedite the Maduravoyal to Chennai Port elevated road project which was needlessly stalled.

Feasibility studies for Mass Rapid Transit Systems for Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Salem and Tirunelveli will be taken up.

A Master Plan for fully realising Tamil Nadu's tourism potential will be unveiled in the current year.

Backlog of unfilled vacancies intended for Adi-Dravidars and Scheduled Tribes in government jobs will be filled through a special recruitment drive.

UGC questions Christ University over online exams

UGC questions Christ University over online exams

In a letter to the university, the UGC South West Regional Office also brought into question the institute’s mode of evaluation.

Published: 21st June 2021 03:57 AM 

Christ University

By Pearl Maria D’Souza

Express News Service

BENGALURU: The regional office of the University Grants Commission (UGC) has questioned the decision of Christ deemed-to-be-university to conduct its end semester examinations in the online format.

In a letter to the university, the UGC South West Regional Office also brought into question the institute’s mode of evaluation.

The letter was based on complaints the commission’s office received from the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and from students.

The students’ body had sought that the university not rely on artificial intelligence (AI) and proctored mode (invigilated online) of evaluation. NSUI suggested alternative methods of examination such as open book and assignment-based ones, and also demanded that it be taken into confidence while framing the policy for evaluation.

UGC education officer Latha KC confirmed to The New Indian Express that the university was asked to consider the students’ requests, and not “target them”.

“If the institute fails to implement these directions, it could invite punitive action,” the letter states.

The regional office asked the university to reconsider holding its online remote proctored end-term examinations as the move was an “unilateral policy formulated without consulting the students or taking into account the students’ best interests”.

It pointed out that students did not have access to the library after physical classes were suspended, and some teachers did not even provide proper study material. The syllabus was not also completed before the examinations, it said in the letter.

“Students had only around four weeks of classes to complete almost 70-75 per cent of the syllabus, resulting in the syllabus of many subjects remaining unfinished,” said the letter.

The proposed remote proctored examination is not a sound evaluation policy, it added about the AI’s technological limitations failing to account for practical difficulties of students, and requiring them to have uninterrupted electricity and internet connections.

Latha said that the university was yet to respond to the letter. “Although there are separate bureaus (for deemed-to-be-universities), here the complaint was by students during the pandemic, and the regional offices should respond,” she said.

Christ Vice-Chancellor Dr Fr Abraham VM told The New Indian Express that students were given a chance to write physically proctored examination if they were unable to attend the online one. “How can they (UGC regional office) ask us to adhere to the NSUI’s demand?” he said, adding that the exams started for the junior semesters on Friday, and was attended by 1,430 out of 1,450 students.

Meanwhile, the university’s student council stated that it has been kept informed and was consulted on holding the exams through the online software Mettl platform.

Anitha's father writes to TN NEET panel, parent of 2020 victim unaware of committee's existence

Anitha's father writes to TN NEET panel, parent of 2020 victim unaware of committee's existence

The high-level panel headed by Justice AK Rajan was formed by the DMK government to examine the pros and cons of the NEET in Tamil Nadu.

Published: 21st June 2021 09:32 PM 

Anitha allegedly committed suicide after failing to clear the medical entrance exam

By P Thiruselvam

Express News Service

ARIYALUR: T Shanmugham, the father of late NEET aspirant Anitha, has written to the AK Rajan high-level committee looking into the medical entrance exam stating that the test does not uphold merit as claimed by its supporters, but leads to medical seats being allotted for money.

The high-level panel headed by Justice AK Rajan was formed by the DMK government to examine the pros and cons of the NEET in Tamil Nadu.

On June 17, the committee invited public opinion on the subject through e-mail or post. On Monday, Rajan revealed that the committee had received 25,000 letters from the public in four days.

Shanmugam, who resides in Kuzhumur near Sendurai in Ariyalur district, in his letter to the panel said that his daughter had scored 1,176 out of 1,200 in the Class 12 board exams which would have been enough to get a medical seat under the earlier system of medical admissions. However, she was denied the seat because of the introduction of the NEET, he said. Dejected at the turn of events, Anitha had ended her life. Her death sparked widespread protests in Tamil Nadu against the test.

Shanmugam chronicled the developments that followed the implementation of the NEET in 2017 and recalled how Anitha had fought against the test by meeting several political leaders across the State and by reaching out to the Supreme Court in New Delhi.

"If the exam was for those people with access to equal opportunities and uniform education, then we could have had the mental strength to accept the failure. But as that is not the case with NEET, we could not accept it," he wrote.

However, the father of another NEET victim in the Ariyalur district did not even know about the formation of the committee, let alone its call for public opinion.

Vignesh (19) from Ilanthakuzhi scored 1,006 out of 1,200 marks in the Class 12 exams. He had attempted the NEET twice and, with his preparations for the test hampered by the pandemic-induced lockdown, he ended his life before he was to take the test for the third time in 2020.

"We do not know about the committee and that it has asked for public opinion on NEET. My son studied well in Class 12 but he ended his life due to the NEET. The test shatters the dreams of many students. There should not be any more deaths. The government should find a solution to this," Vignesh's father N Viswanathan said.

Panel studying NEET impact receives huge response

Panel studying NEET impact receives huge response

Meeting reporters on Tuesday, he said that the panel has received responses from various stakeholders, including parents, students, teachers and politicians.

Published: 22nd June 2021 05:29 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The high-level panel that was set-up by the State to study the impact of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) on medical education, has received 25,000 representations until Monday, said Justice AK Rajan, who heads the committee.

Meeting reporters on Tuesday, he said that the panel has received responses from various stakeholders, including parents, students, teachers and politicians. “We got mixed feedback on NEET. Although more people want it scrapped, there are many who want the test to be held. Some have suggested reintroducing it after a few years and some others have suggested scrapping it after a few years,” he said.

Justice Rajan added the panel is currently collating data required to answer questions raised by the government. “We still have not collected sufficient data. We will make recommendations to the government based on the data we get,” he said, adding that there will not be an extension of time period for public feedback as the panel has already received overwhelming feedback.

MTC operates 1,800 buses

MTC operates 1,800 buses

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:22.06.2021

After 43 days, Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses are back on city roads on Monday. On day one,1,800 buses were operated.

This included 925 ordinary-fare buses in which women, transgenders and disabled people travelled for free for the first time. Transport minister RS Rajakannappan released the specially-printed tickets for these passengers and said the government has provided ₹1,200 crore as subsidy towards this announcement by the CM last month.

After inspecting preparedness at Central Depot, Rajakannappan told reporters almost 85% of the MTC workforce has been vaccinated and around 2,800 buses were disinfected and ready for operation, However, more passengers arrived at bus stops, particularly in the suburbs, than expected. Therefore, crowding was reported in some of the buses and conductors had a tough time in managing the 50% seating capacity rule.

Meanwhile, one MTC bus met with an accident at Poonamallee after one of the front tyres burst. The driver and three passengers suffered minor injuries.

ON THE MOVE: MTC resumed its service after 43 days on Monday

2 jabs on same recipients within 10 min? Officials rubbish claims

2 jabs on same recipients within 10 min? Officials rubbish claims

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bhubaneswar/Dumka:  22.06.2021 

Two people — a man in Odisha and a woman in Jharkhand — have alleged that they were given back-to-back Covid vaccine shots, in gross violation of inoculation protocol. However, in both cases, the authorities have refuted their accusations.

A 51-year-old man, Prasanna Kumar Sahu, in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district claimed that he was administered two doses of Covishield within five minutes at a vaccination camp on Saturday.

“I was advised by the healthcare staff to stay at the centre for 30 minutes after vaccination for observation. While I was waiting, I was administered another dose,” Sahu said. “When I said I had been given an injection about five minutes ago by another nurse, the second nurse wouldn’t listen.” Both the doses were reportedly administered on the same arm.

Additional chief secretary (health) Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra said, “The director of family welfare was asked to verify and submit the findings. It was ascertained that repeat vaccination was not actually done.” In Jharkhand, a probe was ordered on Monday, a day after a 22-year-old claimed she was given two doses of Covishield in Poriyahat. Bulbul Dutta said she was resting after taking her first dose when the nurse called her again after 10 minutes and administered the second dose.

Optional board exams to be held between Aug 15-Sept 15: CBSE to SC

Optional board exams to be held between Aug 15-Sept 15: CBSE to SC

AmitAnand.Choudhary@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:22.06.2021

CBSE on Monday told the Supreme Court that optional Class XII board examinations for students not satisfied with their assessment would be held any time between August 15 and September 15, subject to the situation being conducive.

In an affidavit filed in the apex court, the board said the result, on the basis of its assessment policy, will be declared by July-end, after which it will provide online facility for registration for the optional examination for those students who are not satisfied with their results. It, however, said the examination will be conducted only in the main subjects and “the marks obtained by a candidate in this examination will be treated as final”.

It said policy for tabulation of marks for Class XII board examination has been formulated by CBSE to ensure standardisation of marks, as marks of Class XI and XII component will be awarded at school level and, therefore, they will strictly not be comparable across schools due to variations in quality of question papers, evaluation standards and processes and the mode of conduct of exams etc.

As some of the parents opposed cancellation of the board examination and pleaded that it could be conducted in view of the Covid-19 pandemic being under control, a bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari said it would hear their plea also and take a final call.

Full report on www.toi.in

TESTING TIMES

City ration shop supplies tea past its sell-by date

City ration shop supplies tea past its sell-by date

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:22.06.2020

A ration shop at Chennai's suburb supplied expired tea packets to beneficiaries on Friday. People from Kadambathur village in Thiruvallur district, who consumed it without checking the expiry date on the wrapper, found the tea extremely bitter. "The tea packets provided to us had expired last year (July 2020)," said Ravi, one of the residents who filed a complaint with the Chief Minister's Special Cell.

Subsequently, employees from the local ration shop arrived at the complainant's house and provided fresh tea packets to them, said Ravi. When asked about this, a senior district civil supplies officer said that the salesman at the Public Distribution System (PDS) outlet named Gandhi had mistakenly provided an old stock without checking the expiry date on it and he is likely to face disciplinary actions for this.

"There was no point in blaming the salesman, who earns around ₹5,000 per month. The highly-paid officials, who are in-charge of monitoring the entire supply chain, should be questioned," said T Sadagopan from Tamil Nadu Consumer Progressive Centre, a not-for-profit organisation.

AS Balaji, another consumer rights' activist from Pattabiram, said that ration shops in the city's western suburbs do not provide bills for any of the packaged items sold to the public. Also, there is no mention of the price, manufacturing date or expiry date on the wrappers, he said.

When private shops don't follow these rules, they can be booked under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. But government PDS shops seldom come under these rules, say activists, who blame the state labour and food safety department for lesser number of inspections and inaction.

‘Ready for 50% AIQ seats in MBBS after intimating the SC’

‘Ready for 50% AIQ seats in MBBS after intimating the SC’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:22.06.2021

The Centre is ready to implement 50% OBC reservation under all India quota (AIQ) to medical admission, but only after placing it before the Supreme Court.

A submission to this effect was made before Madras high court in response to a contempt plea by DMK against the Union health secretary and others for non-implementation of a July 27, 2020 HC order granting 69% reservation in state contributed medical and dental seats to AIQ.

A committee has given the options of following state reservation or central reservations but subject to parliament enactments on these seats of state, the Centre told the court.

“We are ready to implement state reservation on AIQ but only after placing it before the Supreme Court in the Saloni kumari case,” it added.

According to the contempt petition, the July 27 HC order order held there was no legal or constitutional impediment to extend benefit of 69% reservation followed in TN in the state contributed seats to the AIQ for medical admission.

The court directed the Centre to set up a committee comprising the TN health secretary and secretaries of the MCI and dental council, among others, to finalise the manner in which such OBC reservation is to be applied to AIQ seats.

The authorities failed to make TN health secretary of Tamil Nadu and DGHS s members of the panel, the petitioner said.

Lockdown FAQs

E-pass mandatory to travel for marriage within state

TOI 22.06.2021 

I want to visit Kerala for a property registration process.if I return within 72 hrs, is the 7-day quarantine necessary? — Mohandas s

Home quarantine is mandatory for seven days.

Can an IRCTC railway agent open his shop in Chennai? — Avinash

The government has not mentioned specifically about railway agents but you can check with railway authorities

We plan to shift our residence from Chennai to Mahabalipuram in the next few days. Can packers and movers transport our household items in their truck to our new residence without e-registration? — Ram D S

The government has permitted movement of cargo. There is no need for e-registration.

My son needs to come for his second dose of vaccination from Mysuru to Chennai.He has gone there to attend yoga classes. Does he need an e- pass? — Rema Bhaskar

Yes. e-registration is mandatory for all to enter Tamil Nadu.

We need to go for a road trip to Tirupati from Chennai. Do we need to have an e-pass? Is any other process involved? — Anand D

There is no need for e-registration to travel. However, it is better to avoid non-essential travel to prevent spread of infection.

My sister’s marriage is scheduled on June 26.We live in Chennai and the marriage is taking place in Kanchipuram. Do we need an e-pass to travel between Chennai to Kanchipuram? — Raju

Yes. E-pass is needed to travel for marriage. The bride/groom or head of family on either side should apply for an e-pass from the destination district for upto 50 guests.

Can all standalone shops open? I run a pawnbroker shop (no jewellery display or sales) in an area of 100 sq ft. — Rakesh

There is no separate mention about pawn shops. You can check with the local police and do accordingly.

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

Schools should issue TC immediately to children: Education Dept

Schools should issue TC immediately to children: Education Dept

Reiterating the Right to Education (RTE) Act, the department said that any child up to the age of 14 has the right to move from one school to another and that schools must immediately issue TC.

Published: 20th June 2021 05:05 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Department of School Education, in a recent circular said that delay in producing Transfer Certificate (TC) cannot be considered grounds for denying or delaying admissions for children up to the age of 14.

Reiterating the Right to Education (RTE) Act, the department said that any child up to the age of 14 has the right to move from one school to another and that schools must immediately issue TC.

Further, these children cannot also be expelled till the completion of elementary education (up to Class 8).

The department instructed that children above the age of six years, not admitted in any school can be admitted in a class appropriate to his or her age. The child should be given training to become on par with other students.

Further, no school can collect any capitation fees and subject the child to any screening procedures.

“Receiving capitation fee and subjecting a child to screening procedures in contravention of the provisions of the (RTE) Act is punishable,” the circular read.

Tamil Nadu extends COVID lockdown till June 28. Here is the list of activities allowed

Tamil Nadu extends COVID lockdown till June 28. Here is the list of activities allowed

The public transport such as bus service will resume in Chennai and its three neighbouring districts.In Chennai, Metro service will also be resumed.

Published: 20th June 2021 07:56 PM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu state government has extended the ongoing lockdown till June 28 morning 6 am with some more relaxations starting Monday.

The public transport such as bus service will resume in Chennai and its three neighbouring districts.In Chennai, Metro service will also be resumed.

The new relaxations were given following the recommendations of the medical experts committee and authorities team.

To curb the spread of Covid-19 in the state, the Tamil Nadu government has extended the lockdown till June 28 morning 6 am. The districts are divided into three categories and relaxations vary in each category.

Category 1:

Coimbatore, Nilgris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai districts:

Existing Lockdown continues without any additional relaxations.

Category 2:

Ariyalur, Cuddalore, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, Kallakuruchi, Kanyakumari, Krishnagiri, Madurai, Perambalur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Ranipet, Sivaganga, Theni, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Tiruppattur, Tiruvannamalai, Thoothukudi, Tiruchirappalli, Viluppuram, Vellore and Virudhunagar districts.

Business hours of the individual shops including tea stalls: Morning 6 am to 7 pm.

Hotel, restaurants, bakeries and food supply e-commerce services: Morning 6 am to 9 pm.

Beauty parlours, saloons and spa, non-AC., will be permitted to function from morning 6 am to 7 pm.

Government departments for essential services will function with 100 percent capacity.

Non-essential departments will function with 50 percent of employees.

The sub-Registrar office will be functioning with full capacity.

All private companies are permitted to function with 33 percent of employees.

Export companies and the units which provide inputs to export companies will be permitted to function with 100 percent of employees.

Shops that sell electric and electronic goods and service centres, vehicle spare parts and service centres, and two-wheeler service centres, stationery shops, cell phone sales and service, construction material sales, footwear shops, opticals, Home finance companies, Non-banking finance companies and microfinance companies will be functioning from 9 am to 5 pm.

Admission and other administration works in educational institutions.

Functioning of sports academies and sports competitions in open places will be permitted from morning 6 am to 5 pm.

Cinema halls can carry out maintenance works once in a week with due permission from the respective Tahsildar.

Category 3:

Chennai, Chennalpattu, Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur districts.

Additional relaxations along with the relaxations given to category 2 districts.

Roadside food stalls can sell foods, only parcel service, from 6 am to 7 pm.

Shootings for cinema and TV serials will be permitted with a maximum of 100 people after conducting the Corona test.

Post-productions works will be permitted.

The public transport within districts and inter districts, only the above four districts, will be permitted with the 50 per cent of passengers, only in non-AC busses.

Call taxi and auto service will be permitted without e-registration.

Metro rail service will be permitted to operate with 50 per cent of passenger capacity.

All construction works will be permitted.

All private companies will be permitted to function with 50 percent of employees.

Fancy stores, vessels stores, xerox shops, tailors, printers, photo and video studios, dry cleaners will be permitted to function from morning 9 am to 7 pm.

Potters and other handicraft workers will be permitted to function from 9 am to 7 pm.

Computer software and hardware sales and service from morning 9 am to 7 pm.

General to all districts:

After getting the e-pass from the respective districts, where the marriage will take place, only 50 persons can attend the marriage functions, except for Coimbatore, Nilgris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai districts.

Emergency travelling for Kodaikkanal, Nilgris, Yercud, Yelagiri and Kutralam will be permitted after getting the e-pass from the respective district collectors.

‘Non-veg’ forwards hit weekend turnout at vaccination camps in Tiruchy

‘Non-veg’ forwards hit weekend turnout at vaccination camps in Tiruchy

Instead of coming forward to take the vaccine, several people are seeking information on future vaccination dates so as to consume meat over the weekend and then take the jab.

Published: 21st June 2021 12:45 AM 

By Jayakumar Madala

Express News Service

TIRCUHY: Even as efforts are on to improve Covid-19 vaccination coverage, unverified messages shared on social media platforms, including WhatsApp, throw a spanner in the toil by officials in the district.

A case in point is the misconception regarding consumption of meat after taking the jab taking a hit on vaccination drives in the city and rural areas during weekends.

According to officials organising the inoculation camps during the weekends, instead of coming forward to take the vaccine, several people are seeking information on future vaccination dates so as to consume meat over the weekend and then take the jab.

For Guru, a mechanic at a private vehicle showroom in the city, a WhatsApp forward prevented him from taking vaccination over the past one month.

"I received a message through one of my friends that we should not consume meat until completion of two doses of the vaccine. Due to this, I have avoided going to the vaccination camps in our neighbourhood. Only today, a doctor informed me that such messages are fake and meat can be consumed like always. If I had known this before, I would have volunteered for my vaccine long ago. I just kept delaying it because it is difficult for me to avoid consuming meat for such a long time".

Doctors from the city opine they have been receiving several calls echoing similar concerns over the past few weeks.

Dr Aleem, former Vice Principal of KAPV Medical College, said, "I have received several calls in the last few weeks asking whether we can consume non-veg food after taking vaccination. There are no such official guidelines till date, and all these misinformation are spread through social media. No vaccine used in regular usage currently requires any form of dietary restrictions. Only thing that people should make sure of is to always follow a good, balanced diet."

With the hoax messages creating doubt in the minds of the public, the officials, who are trying to ensure usage of available vials, are now left with the unenviable task of convincing people to take their jab.

A supervisor of a vaccination camp in the city said, "This misconception is a major problem. We have been advising patients, and making sure they do not delay taking their vaccine. We are also requesting to spread the same information to their relatives, so more people would come forward for vaccination.”

ஒரே நாளில் பட்டா வழங்கிய கலெக்டர்

ஒரே நாளில் பட்டா வழங்கிய கலெக்டர்

Added : ஜூன் 20, 2021 23:44

தஞ்சாவூர்-வீடு கட்ட விடாமல் உறவினர்கள் தடுத்ததால், பெண் ஒருவர் கண்ணீருடன் அழுது 'வீடியோ' வெளியிட்ட நிலையில், கலெக்டர் 24 மணி நேரத்தில் அவரது வீட்டிற்கு சென்று வீட்டுமனைப் பட்டா வழங்கினார்.

தஞ்சாவூர் மாவட்டம், பேராவூரணி அடுத்த பட்டத்துாரணி கிராமத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர் பாஸ்கரன் மனைவி மணியம்மை, 36; மூன்று குழந்தைகளுடன் குடிசை வீட்டில் வசித்து வருகிறார். பாஸ்கரன், மலேஷியாவில் உள்ள ஓட்டலில் தொழிலாளியாக பணிபுரிகிறார். இவர், தன் வீட்டை புதுப்பிக்க முடிவு செய்தார். ஆனால், உறவினர்கள் சிலர் அந்த இடம் தங்களுக்கு சொந்தமானது என, மணியம்மையிடம் தொடர்ந்து தகராறு செய்து வந்துள்ளனர்.

இது குறித்து, 'கலெக்டர்உரிய நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும்' என, மணியம்மை கண்ணீருடன் வீடியோ ஒன்றை வெளியிட்டார். இந்த வீடியோ பரவியநிலையில், கலெக்டர் தினேஷ் பொன்ராஜ் ஆலிெவர் உத்தரவுப்படி, பேராவூரணி தாசில்தார் ஜெயலட்சுமி விசாரணை நடத்தி, கிராம புஞ்சை தரிசு வீட்டு மனைப் பட்டா வழங்கலாம் என பரிந்துரைத்தார்.இதையடுத்து, 24 மணி நேரத்திற்குள் 2.5 சென்ட் வீட்டுமனை பட்டா தயார் செய்து, கலெக்டர் தினேஷ் பொன்ராஜ் ஆலிெவர்,நேற்று மணியம்மை வீட்டிற்கு சென்று வழங்கினார்.

Resident docs demand fee waiver

Resident docs demand fee waiver

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:21.06.2021

Resident doctors have asked the state government to waive their fees for 2020-21 and 2021-22, saying since the pandemic began, they have been dedicatedly providing Covid care with hardly any academic activity and clinical exposure in their chosen specialties.

The Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors has said that students pay more than Rs 1.1 lakh fees annually, one of the highest among government medical colleges in the country, and get a monthly stipend of Rs 45,000, one of the lowest.

“We have chosen our specialisation with so much passion and hard work. But since last year, Covid was the only disease we worked on. We have not been able to get any continuation in learning in our specialisation. We have not been able to upgrade our skills in the chosen subjects,” said the association president, Namratha C. “We have crossed a year with Covid. The government should by now have alternative arrangements to tackle Covid. It should delist medical colleges with PGs from being Covid centres instead of using us as cheap labour.”

The association plans to start a symbolic protest, including a Twitter campaign, from June 21. “We shall continue to protest and will resort to other modes of dissent until our voices are heard by the minister for health (medical) education,” the association said in a statement.

Licence aspirants demand more slots at RTOs

Licence aspirants demand more slots at RTOs

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:21.06.2021

Residents in the city have requested the state government to increase the number of slots available to get driving licences (DLs) and learners’ licences (LLRs) at Regional Transport Offices (RTOs).

At present, RTOs are allowed to process only 30 DL and LLR applications a day while the demand is much higher. As a result, online slots in most RTOs in the city and its suburbs have been booked till the first week of July.

People at Tondiarpet (RTO code: TN 03), Kolathur (TN 05) or KK Nagar (TN 09) can apply for a fresh LLR only on July 10. All LLR slots for those at Virugambakkam (TN 10) and Tambaram (TN 11) are full till July 8.

For residents of Mandaveli (TN 06), Ambattur (TN 13) and Meenambakkam (TN 22), LLR slots were available only for the next one week and none available on Sunday.

The situation of DL applicants is more or less the same. Parivahan, the Union government site through which these bookings can be made, provides a special quota for DL applicants whose LLR validity is nearing completion. “But this option seldom works,” said K Senthil of Koyambedu.

A senior transport department official said there was no need to panic when it comes to renewal as the government has extended the validity of all motor-vehicle related documents till September 30.

The restrictions in the number of slots have been made to reduce infection spread as many RTO staff too have been affected in the second wave of Covid-19. Any change in this has been made by the government as it is a policy matter, he said, requesting anonymity.

Residents also complain about frequent technical glitches in the Parivahan site. Admitting such complaints, transport minister S Rajakannapan attributed it to mismanagement by the previous AIADMK government and has promised steps to rectify them soon. “Also, action will be taken against brokers and other illegal intermediaries,” he said.

A senior transport department official said there was no need to panic for renewal as the validity of all motor-vehicle documents is now September 30