Rural teachers fight a losing battle to keep kids in ‘class’

TOI+

Rural teachers fight a losing battle to keep kids in ‘class’

In Bihar alone 1.4 crore students are without digital devices. To make sure education reaches all, teachers are trying everything from evening classes to phone recharges

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

11.07.2021 

With lockdowns shutting schools across the country, students have struggled to access remote learning. In some places, they wait for their parents to return from work so that they can access lessons sent by the teacher on WhatsApp. Some land up at neighbours’ homes asking to use their smartphones. Others watch non-interactive recorded lessons on TV. But the struggle isn’t theirs alone.

Teachers across rural India spoke about how they were attempting to ensure their students didn’t fall behind with measures that range from open-air classes to recharging phones.

Biswajeet Bodo, head teacher of Jugal High School in Bamunpukhuru village in Assam’s Tezpur district, and his colleagues have been conducting classes in open spaces or in Nam Ghars, places of congregational worship, since only around 150 of the 480 students in the school have access to smartphones.

“During the first wave of Covid, we picked five venues in five villages around the school, called the students of that particular area and taught them in the open. But that had to stop as the number of cases was very high in the second wave,” Bodo said. “Then we made arrangements with families that have mobile phones to lend them for 90 minutes to those who don’t have devices,” he said.

The lack of digital devices among students was acknowledged by the education ministry in a submission on six states to a parliamentary standing committee last month (see box). In states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, nearly 70% of students don’t have access to a digital device. In Bihar, as many as 1.4 crore or 38% don’t have a device.

Teachers are trying their best to be flexible. Nasim Ahmad, who heads an Urdu medium primary school in the Khijurtoli village near Ranchi, said that 100 of the 186 students have access to their parents’ mobile phones. “We have two-hour open-air classes for those without phones. For those who do, we conduct classes from 7 pm onwards, after their parents return from work,” he said.

Anil Kumar Pradhan, who teaches in a government school in the Lahanda village of Odisha’s Sundargarh district, said that even when students had access to a smartphone, they didn’t have access to the internet. “So, once a week we visited their homes to teach them whatever is possible,” he said.

Even in a state like Kerala, that ranks high on development indicators, internet access has been a problem in rural areas. Michael Sebastian, from the organisation Samagra Siksha Kerala in Idukki, said students in the state have been watching classes that are aired on television. But in Idukki, where there are many tribal hamlets, many homes don’t have continuous power supply.

Sebastian said they set up public study centres where education volunteers can help the children. “More than 1,000 students, including the tea estate workers’ children, attend TV classes in these public study centres,” he said.

OUT-OF-REACH RECHARGES

Even when there’s a phone and internet, there are hurdles like lack of money. “The parents told us when there is no food in the house how can they recharge the phones? There are many children whom we assisted by recharging their parents’ mobile phones,” said Ahmad, the teacher from Jharkhand.

In Andhra Pradesh, Satnarayan Sastry said that the state government had deposited Rs 15,000 in the bank accounts of mothers whose children are enrolled in the schools but only a few bought phones with the money. “The government offered a laptop or Rs 15,000, and a majority opted for the money. But that money was mostly spent on other essential things as many don’t even have enough for food,” he said.

GETTING THEM BACK IN SCHOOL

Most teachers also admitted that there is a growing learning gap with students’ performance declining significantly. Educationist and former CBSE chairperson Ashok Ganguly pointed out that online education is an interim measure and not a real education. “Learning loss can be addressed through innovative measures such as SMSes which assign students engaging activities,” he said.

Then there is the problem of dropouts. The education ministry said nearly 55 lakh children are out of school just in the two states of Jharkhand and UP. Educationist Meeta Sengupta said dropout rate can be reversed with school-wapsi or Back to School programmes. “This is an opportunity to get schooling right, where schools reach children, rather than forcing children to come into regimented schooling,” she said.

BRIDGING THE GAP: With no internet or digital devices, students are forced to attend classes in the open in Odisha’s Sundargarh district

WHO to decide on Covaxin in 4-6 weeks

WHO to decide on Covaxin in 4-6 weeks

11.07.2021 

The World Health Organization is likely to take a decision on including Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin in the emergency use list within four to six weeks, Soumya Swaminathan, the global health body’s chief scientist has said. At a webinar on Friday, Swaminathan said BB is uploading safety and efficacy data and a decision on its inclusion will be taken by an expert advisory group. PTI

The difference between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow

The difference between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow

11.07.2021 

The difference between golfer’s and tennis elbow is mainly to do with which part of the elbow becomes inflamed. In tennis elbow, the inflammation is on the outside of the elbow, while with a golfer’s elbow, the inflammation is on the inner side. Golfer’s elbow can also cause numbness or tingling in your ring and little fingers.

Tennis elbow affects the extensor tendons of the arm which connect to the muscles that stretch your wrist backward and spread your fingers. Golfer’s elbow affects the flexor tendons attached to the muscles that flex your wrist and screw up your fingers, like when you grip something.

— DAILY MIRROR

Talk it Out

Talk it Out

11.07.2021 

Times of India 

Why it’s so hard for parents to let their adult children leave home

To help readers cope with their anxieties in these stressful times, TOI has launched Talk it Out, a series under which our panel of expert counsellors will answer your mental health queries. This week’s advice comes from psychiatrist Dr Prabha Chandra

We are seniors with a young daughter who wants to excel in her career. We were shell-shocked when she took a separate accommodation and left us. She also said that she will find her own life partner as she feels traditionally brought up boys are dominating and don’t share household work. We are worried about her living separately and her safety. We are more experienced and can get someone in our community matching her requirements. But she is very stubborn and not accepting any proposal. Please advise.

— Anonymous anxious parents

This is such a common scenario in India. Parents and adult children need to establish new ways of communication and negotiation. There are two issues you seem to be concerned about. First, her moving out and feeling that she has ‘left’ you. All adult children have to individuate and separate from their parents, if not physically then symbolically. It is admirable and a testimony to your parenting that your daughter can live on her own, be responsible for her own finances, food and safety. She has not left you. She is just learning to find her wings and fly on her own. There are many ways in which you can support that. To handle your concerns about her safety, having a discussion about alarms, locks etc may help. Your daughter seems to be an intelligent young woman. As her parents, you would want her to find a partner who will respect her and treat her like an equal. In her quest for independence, she may stumble a bit, but she should know that you are around to support her. Being open to her need for independence and respecting her decision also gives you the opportunity to stay connected and have open conversations, including about your own anxieties.

My husband had to travel abroad for a new job. My son and I will join him next year. My mother, sister and brother came to our place to help as we are expecting our second baby. My mom says she isn’t liking it here and wants to go back. Initially I was patient but gradually, it became unbearable because of the unspoken pressure. I feel she is not even making an effort to settle down and just wants to go back, even though she isn’t particularly happy there. I feel like I can’t talk to my mother and am angry at her. Am I a bad daughter?

— Anonymous

I’d like to reassure you that this is quite common. Neither are you a bad daughter, nor is she an unhelpful mom. Firstly, the pandemic has taken a huge toll on our emotions, especially older people who thrived on social connections and now feel lonely and anxious. When we feel distressed, we’d like to be back in our familiar surroundings which is what your mother probably wants. Secondly, our expectations from our parents may result in us taking them for granted. It looks like you really care for your mother, so acknowledge that she is doing you a huge favour, discuss how you can help her feel more comfortable, negotiate a shorter stay and respect her wishes if she still wants to go back.

I was in an on/off relationship for about seven years. I have cut all connections with my ex-boyfriends who he didn’t like, but he hasn’t. I love him a lot and I know this is very toxic because he makes talking to him very hard. He asks me to support him and says he wants to be with me. I feel his actions and words are completely different. I want to confront him but am worried that it’ll be hard to let him go since I’ve shared a significant portion of my life with him.

— Anonymous

Seven years is a long time. By now both of you should be aware of what is negotiable and non-negotiable. Ex-boyfriends or a platonic girlfriend are not the real problem. Patterns of faulty communication and jealousy may set in early and are related to each partner’s own personal insecurities. Trusting someone and being open with each other means letting go of one’s own fears. Being secretive, confrontational, withdrawing, and being accusatory are all indicative of unhealthy communication. However, these can be resolved by working on one’s own insecurities. In a healthy romantic relationship, one need not stop being friends with others or expect that the partner share every small detail of their life. I would suggest couples counselling because there seem to be things keeping you together.

2 Baroda Medical College students drown in Mahi

2 Baroda Medical College students drown in Mahi

Were Part Of Group That Had Gone For Picnic

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Vadodara:11.07.2021 

Two students of the Baroda Medical College drowned in the Mahisagar river near Rasulpur in Savli taluka of Vadodara district on Saturday.

The students were members of a group that had gone for picnic there.

According to sources, a group of 12 second year MBBS students had gone to Rasulpur which is a popular site for outings and picnics amongst residents of Vadodara.

The group entered the river to bathe. However, the heavy current in the river dragged away four students including the deceased Siddhi Shah (20) and Amogh Goel (20).

While two students managed to hold on to rocks and returned to safety, Shah and Goel drowned in a deep depression in the river. Other members of the group too rushed out of the river and raised an alarm to get help.

Villagers rushed to the spot and brought out Shah and Goel from the river albeit after some delay as they could not be found immediately. The students called for an ambulance and even performed CPR on Shah and Goel. The two students, in critical condition, were rushed to the SSG Hospital in the city to which the college is attached. The doctors at the hospital could not save them despite all efforts.

The two other students who had started drowning along with Shah and Goel were stable. Sources said that the entire group was in a state of shock and was given succour by teachers at the college.

Sources said that the depression at the site is known. In the past too similar incidents have been reported there.

The two students were rushed to SSG hospital in critical condition

Aadhaar’s catch-22: To get missing man’s info, trace him!

Aadhaar’s catch-22: To get missing man’s info, trace him!

Hear Him Before Ordering Us To Reveal Details: UIDAI To HC

Saeed.Khan@timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad:11.07.2021 

A 19-year-old boy, Jigar Jadav, went missing from his school in Devas village in Banaskantha in 2011. A decade later, when the local police sought help from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to provide any and every available detail on Jadav to help trace him, the Aadhaar authority cited the right to privacy of the person--missing in this case.

In March this year, the Gujarat HC directed Banaskantha police to launch an investigation to trace Jadav and ordered UIDAI to cooperate with the police to trace Jadav through Aadhaar card, if it was issued at all to him.

Reluctant to share Aadhaar information, if it has any, on missing Jadav, the UIDAI authorities informed the Gujarat high court that the HC can order it to furnish information only after hearing the authority and the person whose information is being sought for. Ironically, in this case, it is a missing person!

In March, the Gujarat HC had directed police to launch a probe to find Jigar

Cooperate with cops: HC to UIDAI

The insistence on part of the Aadhaar authority on following the law perplexed the HC which directed UIDAI on Wednesday to cooperate with the police in its investigation into the disappearance of Jadav after 10 years following a habeas corpus petition filed by Jadav’s father, Nagjibhai. Jadav had disappeared from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Kumar Chhatralay in Devas village in Banaskantha. His father frantically inquired with the schools and hostel authorities and pursued the matter with high-ups in the government. When no trace of his son was found, he approached the high court through advocate Nayanavati Jethva.

Following the HC order, the Deesa police wrote to UIDAI seeking information about Jadav, if it has any. In reply, the authority said that it would be difficult to identify a person merely on the basis of his birth date and name and without Aadhaar number.

The authority later reiterated this in its affidavit filed in the high court and asserted that it would not be feasible to trace him on the basis of cursory details. It also cited various provisions of laws and court orders by which the right to privacy restricts disclosure of details pertaining to an Aadhaar card holder.

The Aadhaar authority further submitted that the court can order it to furnish information about an Aadhaar card holder only after hearing UIDAI and the person concerned. It cited provisions of section 33(1) of UIDAI Act. “It is pertinent to mention that since Mr. Jigar Kumar Nagji Bhai Jadav has now attained majority (as per the information provided by state police authorities), he is also required to be heard by the Court along with the authority in view of the aforesaid Section 33 (1) of the said Act (as amended), in case if he has enrolled himself for an Aadhaar number and subsequently allotted the same by the Authority,” the affidavit reads.

Meanwhile, the Banaskantha police submitted its report on the probe during the hearing. The HC has posted the matter for further hearing on July 26.

48 hours after bail to 13 juveniles, SC order yet to reach Agra prison

48 hours after bail to 13 juveniles, SC order yet to reach Agra prison

Anuja.Jaiswal@timesgroup.com

Agra:11.07.2021 

Over 48 hours after the Supreme Court granted “immediate interim bail” to 13 convicts lodged at Agra Central Jail who spent between 14 and 20 years each in prison despite being juveniles at the time of committing the crimes, the inmates are yet to walk free. Jail authorities are awaiting court orders that are delivered via India Post.

“We can’t release the prisoners on bail until we receive a certified copy of the SC order. We have completed all formalities at our end and will let them go once we get the order,” V K Singh, senior superintendent of Agra Central Jail, told TOI.

The case came to light recently after the convicts moved the apex court, stating that they were being kept in jail in violation of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000.

Full report on www.toi.in

Woman dies after allergy med overdose

Woman dies after allergy med overdose

Coimbatore:11.07.2021 

A 28-year-old woman died of overdose of tablets used for allergies in Coimbatore on Friday night.

The Singanallur police identified the deceased as R Lavanya, of Thatchan Thottam at Neelikonampalayam. She was working with a nationalised bank in the district and was slated to marry a relative on August 20.

A police officer said, “Lavanya had gone to a beauty parlour a few days ago for hand waxing. She developed allergic reaction (on the hands) on Friday evening and immediately took five Avil tablets. When she fell unconscious, family members took her to a private hospital at Singanallur, where she died without responding to treatment. The body was handed over to the family on Saturday afternoon after autopsy at Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital.”

The Singanallur police have registered a case under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code. TNN

18 districts had nil vax stock on Sat

18 districts had nil vax stock on Sat

No Camp in Coimbatore For 7th Day; Similar Plight In Southern Districts too

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:11.07.2021

Most vaccination centres across the state were closed after more than 18 districts reported nil stock on Saturday. By 10pm, TN received 5 lakh doses of Covishield, which were dispatched to districts by road late in the night. Officials said districts will resume vaccination from Sunday but those requiring Covaxin – first or second dose – will have to wait until Tuesday, when the next stock of the vaccine is expected.

The state, which had around 20,000 doses, recorded 27,922 vaccinations on Saturday. Officials said the daily count includes several backlog entries. “Some primary health centres (PHCs) and hospitals do not enter the details of recipients every day. Some of these backlog entries get added to the daily list. Also, nurses manage to squeeze out up to at least 11 doses from every 10-dose vial,” said joint director immunisation Dr K Vinay Kumar.

Over the past week, the state has reported a maximum of 1.3 lakh vaccinations in a day compared to 4.7 lakh on July 3. Coimbatore, which reported nil doses, had no vaccination camps for the seventh day in a row. While most districts in the western belt complained of the same problem, the situation wasn’t different in the southern districts. In Madurai, around 1,000 people were vaccinated on Saturday. Most people who received shots got it through special camps organised by the district health authorities, but what has irked senior citizens is the lack of information. “I am trying to get information on the availability of vaccines. I have called helplines and have asked people I know. Most say there is no vaccine. My husband and I were due for the second dose on July 5,” said A Sundari a resident of Tahsildar Nagar. To make things worse, she got a text message reminding her to get the second dose on time.

In the midst of acute vaccine shortage, state commercial taxes minister P Moorthy inaugurated a special vaccination camp organised by the state labour welfare department. He told reporters that 4,000 construction workers have received their first dose and that steps were on to vaccinate autorickshaw drivers and industrial workers. “We are vaccinating as many people as possible every day. The number of vaccinations depend on the number of vaccines received,” he said.

HURDLE TO FIGHT COVID:

An elderly woman returns after seeing a ‘no vaccine stock’ board at the urban primary health centre at Villapuram, Madurai, on Saturday

‘Faulty’ TNPSC selection process: HC stays MV inspector interviews

‘Faulty’ TNPSC selection process: HC stays MV inspector interviews

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:11.07.2021 

Citing defects in recruitment process, the Madras high court has stayed the interview notified by Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) for recruitment to to 226 posts of motor vehicle inspector. The interview, scheduled for July 19, will not be held till further orders, the HC said, directing the TNPSC to make available all certificates and credentials of shortlisted candidates to petitioners who had moved the court.

“Since this court is convinced that there are defects in the process of recruitment, this court is of the view that the petitioners’ right should be preserved during the pendency of the writ petitions. Hence there shall be an order for maintaining status quo,” said Justice S S Sundar in his interim orders.

It is seen that TNPSC has now issued notification dated July 1 asking selected candidates to attend the interview on July 19. Hence the interview as scheduled by the notification shall be postponed sine die. There shall be no interview during pendency of the writ petitions or until further orders, the court added.

Directing the registry to post the pleas on July 19 for final hearing, the judge said: “This court will consider whether or not TNPSC can be directed to publish marks obtained by all candidates in the written examination and as to the publication of certificates of all the selected candidates.”

The credentials of the institutions which have issued such certificates will also be considered on July 19, the court added.

The court passed the order on a batch of pleas moved by candidates challenging the recruitment process.

According to the petitioners, of the 226 candidates selected for the interview, many are not eligible as per the recruitment notification.

They further demonstrated before the court that some candidates who were selected earlier by holding that they have required qualification were not selected and that there is no material to reconcile the inconsistencies.

Recording the submissions, Justice Sundar said: “In such circumstances, this court is of the prima facie view that all certificates and credentials of the selected candidates should be made available to the counsels appearing for the petitioners in all the writ petitions.”

Noting that such a move alone would ensure transparency in the process of selection, he said, “This court also can get a valid assistance while considering the cases on merits.”

Since this court is convinced that there are defects in the process of recruitment, this court is of the view that the petitioners’ right should be preserved during the pendency of the writ petitions. Hence there shall be an order for maintaining status quo

MADRAS HIGH COURT

‘No govt student got med seat in 2019 due to NEET’

‘No govt student got med seat in 2019 due to NEET’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:11.07.2021 

The introduction of NEET for admissions to undergraduate medical courses caused a steep fall in the number of government school students securing MBBS admission, the CPM has told the Madras high court.

After NEET was implemented, the number of government school students securing government seats in medical colleges dropped to a paltry five in 2017, seven in 2018 and zero in 2019, the party said, seeking to implead itself as a party to the PIL filed by a BJP functionary.

The PIL opposes the formation of the Justice A K Rajan committee to study the impact of NEET on students in the state. DMK, Dravidar Kazhagam and others too have sought to implead themselves in the PIL, which has been posted to July 13 for further hearing. The Union government, however, filed a counter-affidavit saying constitution of the committee is an affront to the Supreme Court and that it was an exercise in futility.

“Before introduction of NEET, 90% of students getting admission to government medical colleges in the state were from government and government aided schools or low-cost private schools teaching the state board syllabus,” CPM said.

The sudden drop in the numbers post NEET is a cause for worry and the state government is duty-bound to study the root cause of the problem, it said.

NEWS DIGEST

NEWS DIGEST

11.07.2021 

Railway partially cancels trains

Southern Railway has partially cancelled a few trains. Chennai Egmore – Rameswaram superfast special (02205) scheduled to leave Chennai Egmore at 5.45pm on July 11, 12 and 13 will run till Mandapam. Rameswaram - Chennai Egmore special (02206) scheduled to depart Rameswaram at 8.25pm on July 11, 12, 13 and 14 will leave from Mandapam at 8.52pm.

7 more complaints against athlete coach: The city police have received seven more complaints against arrested athlete coach G Nagarajan, 59, who was arrested on a complaint of one of her former trainees, a college student. The complaints were included in the case after inquiring the victims. Police have invited people to reveal about their harrowing experience while getting trained by the coach, said a police officer. The coach, who worked as an assistant commissioner at the GST commissionerate, had been heading a sports academy in the city and he was arrested on May 30 following a complaint from the 19-year-old victim, the first to file a complaint, that she was sexually harassed over the years.

Fine arts college seeks applications for diploma: The Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts has invited applications for admission to full-time four-year diploma course in Bharatanatyam, Carnatic music (vocal, instrumental, veena, violin, mridangam, flute) and visual arts, academic studies. Indian arts (drawing and painting) sculpture, ceramics, print making, computer graphics and photography. Only online application is accepted. The last date for submission is August 6, 2021. For further details contact 044-24521169, or email- registrar@kalakshetra.in or log onto www.kalakshetra.in.

Metro rail extends train timings: Metro trains will operate from 5.30am to 10pm as Chennai Metro Rail Limited extends train timings to cater to the increasing footfalls. Earlier trains were operated till 9pm. Trains will be available every five minutes during peak hours- 8am to 11am and from 5pm to 8pm. During non peak hours, trains will be operated every 10 minutes. On Sundays and public holidays, trains will be operated from 7am to 9pm with a 10-minute frequency. So far, 40 passengers, who were caught not wearing face masks properly in metro stations and trains, were each fined ₹200.

Revised norms of state govt bus usage

Revised norms of state govt bus usage

hennai:11.07.2021 

Tamil Nadu transport department has revised the norms for condemnation of overaged government buses.

State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) buses will be condemned at the end of seven years or completion of 12 lakh km. Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) mofussil buses will be condemned at end of nine years or 12 lakh km.

The decision has been made based on recommendations made by a committee, constituted to study the issue. TNN

Govt exams & bus service to Pondy allowed from Monday

Govt exams & bus service to Pondy allowed from Monday

All Shops Can Now Work Till 9pm, TN Curbs Extended

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:10.07.2021 

Bus services to Puducherry from Tamil Nadu will resume and shops can remain open till 9pm across the state from Monday as chief minister M K Stalin on Saturday announced extension of the Covid-19 lockdown till 6am on July 19 with more relaxations. Competitive exams for state and Union government jobs will also be allowed, but agencies conducting the tests must inform district collectors in advance.

Interstate public and private transport and international air travel, except the ones permitted by the Union home ministry, however, will continue to remain prohibited. Curbs on cinema theatres, bars, swimming pools, social and political gatherings, entertainment, sports and cultural events, schools and colleges and zoological parks too will remain intact. A maximum of 50 people will be permitted to attend marriages, and 20 people for funerals and last rites.

“All permitted activities will be allowed to continue in the state, except in containment zones. Shops and other activities permitted till 8pm will be allowed till 9pm,” the CM said. Restaurants, tea shops, bakeries, eateries, sweet shops will be permitted with a 50% cap on customers at a time till 9pm. “Standard operating procedures should be followed strictly at all shops and public gatherings,” the CM said.

Doors, windows must be kept open in shops to ensure good ventilation

Even as the total positive rate is falling, the state government wants to remain cautious. “The state is still not in a comfort zone to open up fully,” said a senior official.

Hand sanitizers and dispensers should be compulsorily made available at the entry and customers screened using thermal screening. Management should ensure that staff and customers wear masks at all times. Doors and windows should be kept open in shops with air-conditioning facilities to ensure adequate ventilation. Entry should be restricted to maintain social distance, while marking should be drawn for the customers to maintain distance when they stand in queue near shops.

“The district collectors and local bodies will have to take up intensive preventive measures through micro-level containment of cases,” he said. No other activities other than medical emergency services and supply of essential commodities will be permitted in the containment zones. The administrative machinery should set up committees and take up aggressive door-to-door monitoring in these zones.

Stalin urged the public to avoid stepping out of houses and gather in public places to prevent the infectious disease. “Wearing masks, maintaining social distance and frequent hand washing should be strictly followed. Public should visit hospitals nearby for consultation or treatment as soon as they get to know of the symptoms,” Stalin said. Imposing fines on violations of Covid protocols will continue, he said.

SC judges get ₹208 per case, senior lawyers charge lakhs

SC judges get ₹208 per case, senior lawyers charge lakhs

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:10.07.2021

If we are looking for mockery of the principle of equal work for equal pay, we don’t have to go beyond the highest court of the land as the comparison of compensation paid to a Supreme Court judge for hearing and deciding a case and to a senior advocate for arguing it brings out the wide chasm.

An SC judge gets a salary of ₹2.5 lakh a month, which works out to approximately ₹8,333 per day, during which time he/she hears arguments from lawyers on an average of 40 cases. This translates to ₹208 per case, be it a simple appeal, a PIL on Covid issues, or one involving intricate questions of law. In contrast, a newly designated senior advocate commands a price of ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh for arguing a case. The services of a seasoned advocate like A M Singhvi, Kapil Sibal, Mukul Rohatgi or Harish Salve may find the litigant’s bank balance lighter by ₹10 lakh-₹20 lakh per hearing.

Each opinion of a retired CJI fetches her/him ₹10-₹20 lakh

So an SC judge, who hears and decides a case, gets ₹208 per day per case while seasoned senior advocates, who cannot guarantee a result in a case, are paid in lakhs of rupees per day per case.

Well, none of the senior advocates argue in 40 cases a day, for which an SC judge prepares every evening to be ready to listen to the legal arguments the next day.

This is the reason why many SC judges look forward to their retirement, which allows them to offer legal expertise as arbitrators, or, for that matter, provide valued opinion to corporations and multinationals on legal issues in their operations in India, or in disputes arising from contracts, agreements and MoUs.

A retired SC judge earns between ₹2 lakh and ₹5 lakh for a two-hour sitting as an arbitrator and there are some who do three sittings every day to match the earnings of a reasonably successful senior advocate. A retired Chief Justice of India commands a little more than a retired SC judge while performing the duty of an arbitrator.

In rendering an opinion, a retired SC judge gets between ₹5 lakh and ₹10 lakh while each opinion of a retired CJI fetches her/him ₹10-₹20 lakh. A retired CJI confided to TOI: “I do three to four opinions a month and earn between ₹30-50 lakh, unthinkable money for a sitting judge. I indulge in a lot of charity. And yet, I am left with an amount which is more than the provident fund money I got on retirement after rendering services for more than two decades as a judge of constitutional courts.”

Full report on www.toi.in

NEET-UG likely to be deferred to Sept, decision on CUCET soon

NEET-UG likely to be deferred to Sept, decision on CUCET soon

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:10.07.2021

The National Eligibility-cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) for admission to medical courses is likely to be postponed to September while a call on rollout of Central University Common Entrance Test (CUCET) will be taken after education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s interaction with centrally funded institutions, sources said on Saturday.

The entrance test for MBBS/ BDS courses had been scheduled for August 1, but the registration process was deferred due to the surge in Covid-19 cases in April-May and subsequent lockdown.

The education ministry had on July 6 announced fresh dates for JEE (Main)’s April and May sessions. The April session will be conducted from July 20-25 and the May session (fourth and last) fourth from July 27-August 2.

Amid uncertainty over date of NEET-UG, social media has been abuzz with fake claims. A “notice” in circulation, which the National Testing Agency clarified later to be fake, claimed that NEET-UG would be held on September 5.

According to senior government official, the August 1 date for NEET is no longer feasible and it will be postponed. “The fresh schedule along with guidelines for the online registration process is to be announced next week. The new education minister who took charge on Friday would soon take a review meeting. Thereafter, the dates will be announced by NTA. Consultations are on and the exam is likely to be scheduled in the middle of September,” said the official.

There is also uncertainty among undergraduate aspirants and university administration over the status of CUCET.

Full report on www.toi.in

Reserved govt posts for SCs lie vacant for over a decade

GAP IN EXECUTION

Reserved govt posts for SCs lie vacant for over a decade

Shanmughasundaram.J@timesgroup.com

09.07.2021

Tamil Nadu may have 69% reservation, but it doesn’t necessarily reflect in representation on the ground. For nearly a decade at least 30,000 posts reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) are lying vacant in various government departments in Tamil Nadu, multiple sources confirmed to TOI. This, according to employees’ associations and activists, indicated the lack of will to implement the reservation policy in employment in the government sector.

Repeated demands and protests to draw attention of the higher authorities have yielded no results. “The vacancies in our department remain unfilled for several years now,” said an officer in the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare department.

Admitting to the anomaly, a senior officer in Adi Dravidar Welfare department said they have issued a circular asking the district collectors and heads of each government department to furnish the details of the vacant posts.

“We have started the exercise. We will soon start the process of compiling the data,” said the officer on condition of anonymity. “The government is committed to filling the vacancies through a special drive,” he said, recalling such an assurance in the governor’s address in the state assembly recently.

Tamil Nadu’s reservation policy specifies that 18% of the 69% quota should be reserved for SCs in the recruitment process. The recruitment agencies like the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission and the Teachers Recruitment Board have, however, failed miserably to maintain the quota, sources said.

VCK general secretary and MP D Ravikumar said 14,317 teaching and 4,643 non-teaching posts for SCs in the higher education institutions remained unfilled. “The backlog of vacancies are growing every year. The situation is no better in other departments,” said the MP. He said he had petitioned higher education minister K Ponmudi to look into the huge backlog.

Citing a RTI reply to a query, S Karuppaiah of Tamil Nadu Dalit Liberation Movement said 27,264 vacancies of posts meant for SCs were lying vacant in 2019. “Now the number would have surpassed 30,000. It is nothing but denying equal opportunity to the oppressed sections in the land of Periyar (E V Ramasamy) and Anna (C N Annadurai),” he said. A plethora of petitions to the chief minister’s special cell, minister for SC/ST and official departments concerned under the previous regime had no effect.

In March this year, the Centre had disclosed that at least 42,000 posts reserved for the SC and Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Castes had been lying vacant in various Union ministries.

Members of Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers Organisations and Government Employees Organisations said the government’s disinterest in filling vacancies derailed the reservation policy meant to ensure social justice. They noted the reservation policy was not followed in promotions too. “Police, education and two other departments followed reservation policies for promotions, while the rest of the government departments followed service rules. This should be taken up too,” said another official.

Govts ease travel restrictions & demand spikes, but flights are still a costly affair

Govts ease travel restrictions & demand spikes, but flights are still a costly affair

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.08.2021

While the Union and state governments have relaxed restrictions on air travel, airlines are yet to reduce ticket prices.

The aviation ministry, in a recent order said domestic flights can operate with 65% passenger capacity. Earlier, passenger capacity was capped at 50%. The increase in capacity is likely to help airlines to sell more seats.

However, starting fare for tickets is still at a higher slab and remains stable for one week’s advance booking and for two week’s advance booking. The one-way fare from Chennai to Mumbai is more than ₹5,000. Tickets from the city to Delhi cost ₹6,700 and ₹4,500 to Kolkata. Fares are higher to small towns from Chennai.

“Air fares may remain high as the airlines would want to make the most of people who will be flying after being stuck for a long time,” M K Ajit Kumar of Asia Pacific Tours said.

The fare is fixed based on the market trend, he said, adding that demand for tickets will be high in the coming months as travel has resumed and more relaxations are expected from state governments.

“People will travel if they have to irrespective of the fare,” Kumar said.

“The increase in capacity will be beneficial because demand is rising. There will be more seats available. Travel has resumed, particular as people have started to fly for business on metro routes,” Basheer Ahmed of Chennai Metro Travels said.

People will be able to fly for domestic holidays in the coming days as many state governments have relaxed entry and quarantine rules. The crowds at holiday destinations in Goa and Himachal Pradesh show that leisure travel will increase in the coming days.

“The resumption of travel in connection with trade and business and more flight services will encourage people to travel for leisure. Once domestic travel becomes normal it will help in the resumption of international travel,” said Ahmed.

Most state governments relaxed test and quarantine rules have been relaxed for passengers who have received both doses of vaccines. Chennai airport is also handling close to 60 departures and 60 arrivals a day as demand has gone up

.

Anna varsity to grant affiliation to 525 colleges

Anna varsity to grant affiliation to 525 colleges

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.07.2021

Anna University will grant affiliation to 525 engineering colleges, standalone architecture, MBA and MCA colleges for 2021-22 based on the online scrutiny of applications in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier, the university said it would conduct physical verification of colleges. However, due to the pandemic situation and less than a week’s time to grant affiliation to the technical institutions, the university plans to grant affiliation based on approval from AICTE and online scrutiny of applications.

In a circular to principals of all engineering colleges, the centre for affiliation of institutions at Anna University asked them to submit the soft copy of AICTE for approval for 2021-22.

“Grant of affiliation will be considered for the applied intake or new courses which are approved by the centre for academic courses and also by the AICTE. The non-applied courses and any modifications in intake submitted after the deadline of applications for affiliation will not be considered,” the circular said.

Further, the university also released instructions to colleges on how to pay affiliation fee online for 2021-22.

As of April 2021, 525 colleges applied for affiliation and around 16 colleges, including 14 engineering colleges, had not applied for affiliation for 2021-22.

7 months after seizures, DVAC books ex-official

7 months after seizures, DVAC books ex-official

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.07.2021

DVAC officials registered a disproportionate assets case against S Pandian, who held the post of superintendent of the department of environment, and his wife Latha on June 30, almost seven months after police seized valuables from his residence. Pandian was suspended in December 2020.

The DVAC team filed an FIR in December 2020 to conduct a surprise check at Pandian’s home in Maduravoyal. On December 15, 2020, the team led by the superintendent of police Lavanya seized ₹23 crore, gold, diamond, silver and documents for property worth ₹7 crore and other valuables.

A request was sent to the state vigilance commissioner in Tamil Nadu to book a fresh cases against Pandian and his wife Latha. However, the DVAC got the nod to proceed with the case only recently after new vigilance commissioner V Irai Anbu took over.

Officials said a detailed probe is planned as they suspect that Pandian colluded with politicians, former and senior police officers and those still in the force to block the DVAC investigation. Officials said Pandian, while working in the environment department, took bribes to redraw Tamil Nadu’s coastal map, thereby leading to the disappearance of 6,569 acres of land in Ennore creek.

PMK slams Leoni’s appointment

PMK slams Leoni’s appointment

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Villupuram:09.07.2021

The appointment of orator and staunch DMK supporter Dindigul Leoni as the chairman of Tamil Nadu textbook and educational services corporation by the DMK government has drawn flak from various quarters. Leoni has been accused of making derogatory remarks against women while campaigning for DMK candidates ahead of April 2021 assembly polls. PMK youth wing president and Rajya Sabha MP Anbumani Ramadoss demanded the government revoke Leoni's appointment as the chairman of the corporation immediately. Anbumani took to Twitter to condemn the government's decision to appoint a person “with the habit of making misogynist remarks” as the chairman of the corporation and termed his appointment an insult to the position. The PMK leader expressed serious concerns over the future of the students, who must follow the syllabus derived by the corporation headed by a person known for “making derogatory remarks on women”.

Pallavaram residents protest as drinking water supply cut

Pallavaram residents protest as drinking water supply cut

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.07.2021

A group of residents in Pallavaram staged a protest against the local civic body for stopping drinking water supply through pump without prior intimation. For more than 15 years, residents of NSK Nagar, MGR Nagar and Kamala Street in Pallavaram have depended on the pump for their drinking water needs.

Last week, Pallavaram municipality stopped the supply to pumps abruptly. It later said it was impossible to extract water from the hand pump anymore as the groundwater level had dropped below 300 feet. The local body also told the residents that they were planning to convert the pump into a rainwater harvesting pit so that groundwater level might improve in the future.

However, A Subramanian, president of NMK Residents Welfare Association which covers the three areas, said there could be an ulterior motive behind this sudden move. “Recently, a premium apartment has come up in our area and the drinking water pump is obstructing free movement of vehicles into the apartment. They don’t want to see water cans in front of their entrance,” he said.

Rejecting this, a senior Pallavaram municipality official said groundwater levels dropped below 300ft a few years back and it has got nothing to do with the apartment coming up there. To meet drinking water needs, the municipality has installed a hand pump and a mini-water tank (filled with the help of a bore well motor) on an adjacent street. Besides, water is supplied through tankers once every five days.

But how is this even sufficient, asked Subramanian, who said the majority of residents affected are daily wagers who leave very early for work. “They don’t have the time to stand in queues for hours to fetch water from the water tank on the next street. So once they return home in the evenings, hand pumps are the only source of water,” he said.

As protests continued, Pallavaram MLA I Karunanidhi, police and municipality senior officials arrived at the scene and appeased the protesters by giving up the move to disconnect the pump temporarily. They also promised to provide water through tankers twice a week till a permanent solution was found. Authorities promised the locals that the underground drinking water pipe works in Pallavaram municipal area is nearing completion and it will be inaugurated within 20 days. Once the project becomes a reality, water can be supplied once in two or three days.

BASIC NEED: The hand pump has been their only source for drinking water for more than 15 years

A premium apartment complex has come up in our area and the drinking water pump is obstructing free movement of vehicles into the building. They don’t want to see water cans in front of the entrance

A SUBRAMANIAN | president of NMK Residents Welfare Assn

HC: Issue separate certificate on cause of death in Covid-19 cases

HC: Issue separate certificate on cause of death in Covid-19 cases

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 09.07.2021

The Madras high court on Thursday directed the state government to take immediate steps to issue a separate certificate to the families of all eligible Covid-19 victims mentioning the cause of death to help them claim relief, if any, provided by the government.

This shall be in addition to the death certificate issued by the authorities now, the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy said.

Presently, death certificates issued by civic bodies do not mention the cause of death.

The court issued the direction on a public interest writ petition that sought a direction to the government to frame and implement an effective policy to ensure that the cause of death is properly and correctly mentioned in the relevant certificate/official document for all cases of Covid-related deaths in accordance with law.

HC: Records would help future studies

On June 11, the court emphasised the need for accurate reporting of Covid-19 deaths in Tamil Nadu, and observed that due to the current policy followed in declaring a Covid-19 death, in some cases, families of the deceased are denied state compensation.

“It is necessary that an appropriate study be conducted by a specialised team, if necessary. It would also be fit and proper to require death certificates already issued to be revised, if necessary; if only not to deny the relief due to the family of the deceased in terms of the several schemes announced by the central and the state governments,” the court had said.

Accurate reporting or recording of deaths would help in studies being undertaken to deal with a pandemic of this nature in future, the court added.

NEET panel affront to SC, beyond state’s legal powers, Centre tells HC

NEET panel affront to SC, beyond state’s legal powers, Centre tells HC

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:09.07.2021

The Justice A K Rajan committee constituted by the Tamil Nadu government to study the impact of NEET on state students is an affront to the Supreme Court and an exercise in futility which is neither required nor valid, the Union government has told the Madras high court.

In its affidavit, filed in response to a writ petition filed by state BJP functionary K Nagarajan, the Centre said the executive power of the state, including the power to constitute a commission, is restricted to subjects within its legislative competence. “The field ‘medical education’ is regulated under the central legislation — the National Medical Commission Act, 2019. Nothing inconsistent or contrary thereto can stand legally. Therefore, the state cannot constitute a panel to study the impact of NEET on medical admissions,” the health ministry said.

Petitioner wants TN govt’s June order on NEET panel quashed

Countering the Tamil Nadu government’s contention that constituting such committee is a sovereign power of the state, the counter said, “as per the Commissions of Inquiry Act the state is the appropriate government only in respect of a commission appointed by it to make an inquiry into any matter relatable to any of the entries enumerated in the state list of the Constitution.”

This apart, the committee constituted is in contravention of various judgment of the Supreme Court approving NEET examination along with its various facets, it added.

“The reference made to the committee is not only a slight against the status and privilege of the Supreme Court but is also an exercise in futility as the law declared by the Supreme Court is binding on all functionaries,” the Centre has said.

Nagarajan has sought to quash an order issued by the Tamil Nadu government on June 10, constituting a committee headed by Justice A K Rajan to study the impact of the NEET.

Top political parties, including DMK, besides Dravidar Kazhagam, have filed separate petitions to implead themselves as parties to the proceedings. The first bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee is scheduled to hear the PIL on July 13.

Top political parties, including DMK, have filed separate petitions to implead themselves as parties to the proceedings

UGC, TN govt ordered to respond to pleas seeking vaccine for college students

UGC, TN govt ordered to respond to pleas seeking vaccine for college students

It also asked them to explain the shortcomings in online education provided to higher-education students.

Published: 07th July 2021 05:19 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday ordered the State and the University Grants Commission (UGC) to respond to a plea seeking for all college students in the State to be vaccinated on a priority basis. It also asked them to explain the shortcomings in online education provided to higher-education students.

Petitioner Nervazhi Iyakkam Trust, represented by its managing trustee T Ganesh Kumar, of Guduvachenrry, sought for the court to direct the authorities to vaccinate students, especially those in college, and teachers, on a priority basis.

The petitioner also said the UGC should address the shortcomings in online education, such as challenges in providing internet access to the underprivileged, and the physical and mental impacts of prolonged online classes in violation of the UGC guidelines.

Courses that require a hands-on practical approach are being taken online, and this is intentionally being left out from the regulations, said the petitioner’s counsel M Sricharan Rangarajan. “Conducting online classes for such courses would severely handicap students, and they could come up short in their understanding as well as application of the subject,” he added.

The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy admitted the plea and issued notices to the State and UGC to file a detailed report within four weeks.

‘Intentionally left out’

Courses that require a hands-on practical approach are being taken online, and this is intentionally being left out from the regulations, said the petitioner’s counsel

Stalin opens obstetrics block at Tiruvarur GH

Stalin opens obstetrics block at Tiruvarur GH

On his way to the hospital, he stopped at Odampokki river bridge and inquired about the desilting works being carried out.

Published: 08th July 2021 05:05 AM 

Chief Minister MK Stalin inaugurates the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care services block at Tiruvarur GMCH

By Express News Service

TIRUVARUR: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday inaugurated Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care services block at Tiruvarur Government Medical College Hospital, built at the cost Rs 10.5 crore.

He inspected equipment bought at the cost of Rs 1.5 crore, emergency wards, blood bank and other facilities at the hospital. Earlier in the day, he received petitions from the pubic on South Main Street.

On his way to the hospital, he stopped at Odampokki river bridge and inquired about the desilting works being carried out. Ministers Ma Subramanian, K N Nehru, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and Siva V Meyyanathan, were present along with him. On Tuesday night, Stalin along with his family members visited the memorial of his paternal grandmother Anjugathammal located at Kattur village near Tiruvarur.

Govt gets 2 months to clear Chitlapakkam lake squatters

POLL, LOCKDOWN CITED FOR DELAY

Govt gets 2 months to clear Chitlapakkam lake squatters

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:08.07.2021

Take steps to evict 403 parties encroaching the Chitlapakkam lake, the Madras high court has told the Tamil Nadu government.

“The state should take appropriate action in accordance with law under the Tamil Nadu Protection of Tanks and Eviction of Encroachment Act, 2007, upon due notice to the perceived encroachers,” the first bench of chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy said on Wednesday.

The issue pertains to a public interest writ petition filed by anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam to remove encroachments on the Chitlapakkam lake from the Tambaram and Pallavaram side, along with putting an end to discharge of sewage into the lake.

When the plea came up for hearing, government advocate P Muthukumar submitted that effective steps to remove the encroachers could not be taken due to the assembly election and the lockdown.

Recording the same, the bench said, “Now that the election is over and the restrictions imposed under the lockdown following the second wave have been eased, the state should take appropriate action.” The court then adjourned the hearing to September 8, for the state to file a compliance report.

On April 8, the state informed the court that the 403 encroachments were found on 83.89 acres of the water body classified as ‘Eri’ (tank). Of the 403, 374 are by way of house sites. It was further added that notices had been issued to the encroachers under the Tamil Nadu Protection of Tank and Eviction of Encroachments Rules, 2007.

According to the petitioner, it wanted to protect the Chitlapakkam lake spread over101.4 acres, by forming an earth bund around the lake along with a pathway by removing the encroachments. It had also sought to restrain the officials from converting the lake and its adjoining areas into a park, landfill or garbage dump and subsequently connect the lake with the lakes at Selaiyur and Sembakkam.