Restrictions imminent on ECR attractions as crowds increase

Restrictions imminent on ECR attractions as crowds increase

Yogesh.Kabirdoss@timesgroup.com

Chennai:3.8.2021 

As tourists throng historical attractions across East Coast Road (ECR) on weekends, indications of a lockdown are imminent to check Covid-19 cases.

Monuments maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at Mamallapuram and theme parks on the entertainment corridor are clocking record footfalls to the extent that the Chengalpet district authorities are now exploring options of banning entry for tourists or cutting down the visiting hours at these monuments.

Nearly 5,000 people visited ticketed monuments at Mamallapuram on Sunday — one of the highest turnout since the centrally protected monuments were reopened this year. Two weeks ago, about 4,200 tourists visited the Pallava era monuments. A theme park without water sport activities on ECR recorded 700 visitors on Sunday. This footfall used to be around 2,000 during pre-Covid times on a weekend. Though ferry services at the TTDC boathouse at Muttukadu remains out of bound for tourists, people shot selfies on the pathway to the facility.

Mamallapuram-based tourist guide R Stalin said a majority of tourists were from Chennai and its neighbouring districts, and Puducherry. “Tourists from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have dropped significantly... But the crowd that thronged Mamallapuram on Sunday did cause extensive traffic jam in the town,” he said. It appears that shutting down market places to check Covid-19 cases could have forced people to move to the tourist spots.

An official from the Chengalpet district administration said that special teams have been formed to identify any violation of Covid-19 protocols. “We are also discussing with senior officers on stopping or reducing the timings for visitors. A final decision will be taken before this weekend,” he said.

From Aug 21, city to get first radio station run by senior citizens

From Aug 21, city to get first radio station run by senior citizens

Komal Gautham@timesgroup.com

Chennai:3.8.2021 

The city’s first online community radio station for the elderly is set to be launched on August 21, World Senior Citizens Day. Annai Anbalaya Trust, which is launching the station, to be run by senior citizens, on its premises on TTK Road is modelling it on a similar facility begun in Coimbatore.

It will be among the 10 community radio stations approved by the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment and to be implemented by New Delhi-based National Institute of Social Defence. A letter communication has been received and the financial aspects yet to be discussed.

There will be least four programmes every week, in the form of podcasts, aimed at creating awareness about science and technology and health related issues. There will be cultural programmes as well. The senior citizens will be provided with laptops, microphones and trained in editing software.

N K Rajamani, committee member of Vigyan Prasar living in Chennai, said he conducted research in a few old age homes in the city. “There is a lot of talent in these homes. Of the nearly 50 orphaned women in the home at TTK Road, many sing well and a few have immense knowledge about several current topics,” he said. Another such radio will be set up in Athipattu, on Chennai’s outskirts, later.

B Sreedhar Ramamurthy, the brain behind the country’s first community radio station at Anna University in 2004, said, “We have been allocated —24 lakh to produce 624 podcasts by senior citizens from seven locations this year. These programmes will be exclusively for senior citizens and we will use existing community radio stations at Alagappa University in Karaikudi, Tapovan in Coimbatore, MV EC in Puducherry, Aashiana senior society in Bhiwadi, Radio Sarathi Jhalak in Bengaluru and two in New Delhi at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication to produce them,” he said. The government should set up one such station in each old age home as the cost is minimal —about ₹3,600 per month to use Iradiolive.com, a national podcasting portal run by an NGO.

Rajamani said, “If this pilot at TTK Road becomes successful, we will try to implement it across all 50 senior citizen homes in Chennai with the help of the state government.”

Watch your speed. That’s a highway, not a runway to fly

Watch your speed. That’s a highway, not a runway to fly

90% Of Accidents On ECR Stretch Caused By Overspeeding, But No Follow-Up Action On Violators

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

3.8.2021 

In February, Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari inaugurated an advanced traffic management system along East Coast Road to reduce accidents.

The ₹8.6-crore project set up by the state government included an Automatic Speed Enforcement System (ASES), an Automatic Video Incident Detection System (AVIDS) and a Vehicle-Activated Speed Signs (VASS) —all meant to detect any speeding vehicle or an accident along the 33-km stretch between Akkarai and Mamallapuram and alert the control room at Uthandi toll gate for police to reach the spot soon.

Around a dozen poles with high definition (HD) cameras were installed by Ador, a private firm chosen by the government. But the control centre in Uthandi was shut, when TOI visited the spot last week.

As per the rules, no vehicle can travel more than 80 km per hour (kmph) on ECR. VASS boards, installed on roadsides and medians, warn drivers about excess speed and pick up 8-10 violations every hour.

But there is no follow-up action on speed violations as no alerts are passed on to police through the control room and violators continue to go scot-free. Official data shows that 90% of the nearly 50 accidents reported on ECR between Mamallapuram and Akkarai every year are caused by speeding.

Multiple government sources confirmed that the control centre is yet to become completely functional as some of the components are yet to be installed. They attributed the delay to restricted travel movement of workers from industries in the north due to the lockdown. As of now, the control room is only recording video clips and challans are yet to be generated.

S Kamal Soi, member of the National Road Safety Council, said that enforcement works only when there is fear of being caught and punished. “Having display boards for speed alone will not act as a deterrent. The state government should start feeding this white elephant by starting operations at the control and command centre.”

CCTV surveillance cameras, installed by police, can help, at the most, in investigation and help in finding who was at fault or what went wrong after the accident takes place. Only an effective ASES can save lives, he added. Even civil work (to prevent accidents) has remained incomplete along ECR for years. In some areas, there are no signages along approach roads to alert motorists of incoming vehicles. Some stretches don’t have adequate lighting and there is stray cattle menace too.

Also, the 66-km stretch between the heritage town of Mamallapuram and Marakkanam is only a two-way road. A tender for a project to expand this into a four-way road was floated in 2018. Work has just begun on the stretch between Mamallapuram and Vayalur.

HC’s warning to TN on student admissions in Thiruvalluvar univ

HC’s warning to TN on student admissions in Thiruvalluvar univ

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:3.8.2021 

The Madras high court has threatened to stay admissions to post-graduate courses in Thiruvalluvar University, if they are made without amending or repealing a law brought in by the former AIADMK government creating Dr J Jayalalithaa University at Villupuram.

The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P D Audikesavalu made the observations while hearing a plea moved by former law minister C Ve Shanmugam. He alleged that the present government was neglecting the varsity in district due to political reasons.

When the plea came up for hearing, advocate-general R Shunmugasundaram submitted that except for passing a law for establishment of the university, the previous AIADMK government had not created any infrastructure for the varsity to function.

“Except appointment of a vice-chancellor and a car driver for him, nothing has been allotted for the establishment of the university. Currently, the university functions from an old tahsildar office,” the AG said.

The present government has decided not to waste money on the new university as the Annamalai University, which is spread across 2,000 acres of land, has become a state university now, he added.

The court, however, made it clear that it had to stay the operation of the notification for the admissions if the legislation for establishment of the varsity is operational. The bench then directed the advocate-general to get appropriate instruction from the government on August 4.

Earlier, representing the petitioner, former advocategeneral and senior advocate Vijay Narayan wanted the court to direct the state government to provide necessary funds for the smooth functioning and upkeep of the university.

“Tiruvalluvar University must be restrained from operating post-graduate extension centres in Villupuram in violation of the provisions of the Dr J Jayalalithaa University Act of 2021,” he said.

According to Shanmugam, the university was established in Villupuram by bifurcating the Tiruvalluvar University, following a request from him last year in his capacity as an MLA representing the constituency.

The object of the act was to bifurcate the jurisdiction of Tiruvalluvar University and bring Villupuram, Kallakurichi and Cuddalore districts within the ambit of the new institution.

However, after a change of regime in the state, the new university was being neglected, he alleged.

A litre of petrol for buying fish worth ₹500

A litre of petrol for buying fish worth ₹500

Padmini.Sivarajah@timesgroup.com

Madurai:  02.08.2021 

A fish stall in Madurai made brisk sales on Sunday after it advertised an Aadi offer promising a litre of petrol for every purchase of fish worth ₹500. The offer was advertised by PSA fish stall, which has a chain of shops throughout the city, at its Bibikulam branch, on social media. “I bought my fish from Anna Nagar, but could not resist the offer. So I came all the way to buy some crabs,’’ said K John Philip, who was one of the first customers.

Jaffer, owner of the shop, said they did not witness any surge in customers but raked in better sales as most of their regular customers, who usually bought fish for less than ₹500, bought fish for ₹500 or more to avail the offer.

“People who usually purchase for less than ₹500 purchased more this Sunday, so the fish also sold faster,” he said.

The customers who availed themselves of the offer were given tokens to fuel up from a local l bunk. “It was a very good move as distributing fuel in cans or bottles could have led to problems of safety,” said K Chandran who purchased fish for ₹600.“Fuel has become as expensive, so this was an offer which was irresistible,” said Sivaranjani who came to the shop early on Sunday.

Meanwhile, in Dindigul, a meat stall gave away silverware to customers on Sunday as Aadi offer. Ananth mutton stall in Chinnalapatti gave away a vessel worth ₹100 for a kilogram of mutton which was given at a discounted rate of ₹690 and a smaller one for halfa-kg. Boneless mutton was sold at ₹800 per kg. Virumaraj, owner of Anand Mutton stall, said that the offers brought good revenue, as more people came forward to buy meat.

FUEL FOR FISH: The offer was advertised by PSA fish stall, which has a chain of shops throughout Madurai, at its Bibikulam branch

13,000 nurses, docs trained in paediatric Covid-19 care

PREP FOR 3RD WAVE

13,000 nurses, docs trained in paediatric Covid-19 care

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:02.08.2021 

Ahead of an expected third wave, the Tamil Nadu chapter of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP), in coordination with the state health department, is training nurses and doctors online to manage Covid-19 in children. Nearly 10,000 staff nurses and 3,800 paediatricians in government and private hospitals across the state have received the training so far.

IAP, a body of paediatricians, aims at preparing close to 50,000 healthcare workers in the state before the onset of a third wave. The training programme has four modules — triaging, clinical management, prevention and overview of paediatric Covid. The program is being conducted free of cost.

K Rajendran, state secretary of IAP, said a majority of the nurses are hesitant to handle paediatric Covid cases as they are uncertain about the patient’s response to medicines. So, one main aspect of the programme is to train them on how to manage children and when to raise a red flag so that mortality will remain low.

"Another aspect is post-Covid complications. We are witnessing more Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) cases of late. For every 100 MIS-C cases, at least 60 need treatment in ICUs. So we need more paediatric ICUs with trained nurses," Rajendran said.

The IAP has formed a paediatric task force which will assist healthcare workers across the state in treating such cases. They are creating an online app which can provide data on the number of oxygen beds, ICU and doctors available in paediatric wards across the state. A MIS-C registry is also being prepared.

Welcoming this, Dr Balasubramanian, senior paediatrician from Kanchi Kamakoti Child Trust Hospital in Chennai, said with many Indian states planning to reopen schools, more children might become susceptible to infection. "We hope that this publicprivate initiative will ensure quality healthcare in not just tertiary, but primary and secondary levels too," he said.

The state government claimed that they have adequate ICU beds to handle a third wave and they have procured adequate quantities of drugs of choice such as Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) to treat MIS-C and paediatric Covid.

Active Covid infections rise slightly in 12 of 15 city zones

Active Covid infections rise slightly in 12 of 15 city zones

Corpn Steps Up Random Testing

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:  02.08.2021

In the past four days, the number of active Covid-19 cases in the city has increased in 12 of the 15 zones, according to the Greater Chennai Corporation. Across Chennai, active cases increased from 1,480 on July 27 to 1,627 on July 31.

While there was no change in the number of active cases in Royapuram, there was a decrease in Ambattur and Anna Nagar.

The sharpest increase was seen in Teynampet zone, where cases increased from 124 to 149 between July 27 and 31. This was because one of the family clusters was in Mandaveli, which falls in this zone. In Kodambakkam, active cases increased by 11. Both these zones cover extremely crowded areas in central Chennai with many shopping districts, including T Nagar.

The increase in other zones is by less than 10. Civic officials say there is nothing to worry as they have intensified random testing and will be isolating all positive cases in Covid care centres.

A senior civic official said the corporation has now started collecting vaccination information about people who test positive. This would be a good dataset and could provide valuable insights.

A study of two clusters last week showed that one index case is likely to have gotten the infection from the market on Medavakkam Tank Road and then infected 10 other contacts. The other index case was of a woman who visited the Nammalwarpet market frequently and is likely to have caught it from there. Five extended contacts were traced from that index case.

Health minister Ma Subramaniam said the corporation had been asked to intensify surveillance in crowded market places. To a question, he said there was a plan to probably space out the Kasimedu and Chintadripet fish market to ease crowding by customers.

After 11 weeks of decline, Covid cases see 7.5% surge

After 11 weeks of decline, Covid cases see 7.5% surge

Amit.Bhattacharya@timesgroup.com

2.8.2021

Fresh Covid-19 cases in India registered a week-onweek rise for the first time in 12 weeks since the peak of the second wave in early May, in what could be an early sign of another pandemic spike in the country. Currently, however, the surge is mainly restricted to Kerala and, to a much lesser degree, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

India recorded just over 2.86 lakh new cases in the current week ended Sunday (July 26-August 1), a 7.5% rise from the previous week’s tally of 2.66 lakh. Weekly cases in the country have registered a rise for the first time since May 3-9, when the second wave peaked. The fall in cases had continued till last week, even though the decline had slowed to 1.4%.

Kerala, the current epicentre of the pandemic in India, logged close to 1.4 lakh cases in the present week, a 26.5% increase from the previous week’s tally of 1.1 lakh. The state accounted for nearly half (49%) of all new cases in the country in the last seven days, with a daily average of 20,000 new cases. Kerala posted 20,728 cases on Sunday, the sixth straight day that the daily count had stayed over 20,000.

Worryingly, there were signs that Kerala’s Covid surge was spilling out to its neighbouring states.

92L jabs/day must to reach vax target

India must administer an average of 92 lakh doses a day to meet target of inoculating all above18 by year-end . Though this level was achieved on June 21, it would mean maintaining a daily average that is1.6 times the jabs of the best week so far. P20

Govt may use NDMA in badly hit states

Worried by the rise in Covid infections in Kerala and parts of the North-East, the Centre is considering issuing directives under the National Disaster Management Act to these states unless the situation changes for the better. P20

Active Covid cases rose by over 14k in past 6 days

Karnataka recorded a 17.3% increase in new cases as compared to the previous week, although the rise hasn’t been much in absolute numbers. Karnataka reported 12,442 cases in the current week as opposed to 10,610 in the previous seven days.

On the positive side, Maharashtra’s weekly numbers declined by 6.2%, following a 10% dip in the previous week. The state recorded 45,272 new cases this week as compared with 48,253 in the previous one. Numbers in the northeast, another region that has seen a spike in cases, appeared to have declined this week.In keeping with the rise in infections, active cases in the country have risen by over 14,000 in the past six days. The number of active had dipped below 4 lakh around a week ago, but had again climbed close to 4.15 lakh by Sunday. For the sixth day running, India recorded over 40,000 fresh cases on Sunday. The day’s tally stood at 40,800. There were 418 deaths reported on the day. In the past week, India recorded 3,805 new deaths, a sharp drop of 44% over the previous week’s toll of 6,848.

Kerala High Court reserves verdict in plea challenging award of tender without signed declaration form

Kerala High Court reserves verdict in plea challenging award of tender without signed declaration form

The Kerala High Court had in the past held that signing the declaration form is not an essential condition for awarding tender.

Kerala High Court

Giti Pratap

Published on : 31 Jul, 2021, 6:53 pm

The Kerala High Court has reserved its judgment on a petition challenging the award of tender by Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd. (KMML) to a party who had not signed the declaration form in which the prevailing GST rate was to be mentioned accurately.

The petition was filed by the proprietor of Skillderz developers who had participated in the E-tender invited by KMML alleging that the tender was awarded to another party who had quoted inaccurate GST rates and had not signed the relevant form where it was mentioned.

The matter was heard by Justice PB Suresh Kumar.

The Kerala High Court had in the past held that signing the declaration form is not an essential condition for awarding tender.

However, in the present matter, it was the argument of the petitioner that the party who was awarded the tender had deliberately not signed the declaration form, where he had purportedly quoted a lower GST rate.

This, it was contended, was an attempt to win the tender by cheating the State Government, KMML and other concerned authorities.

The petition, filed through Advocate Renjith B Marar, stated that KMML had, in June 2021, issued tender document inviting tender for the work of highly mechanised collection, loading and transportation of mineral sand in tippers.

The petitioner claimed to have put in his bid for the tender along with all required documents mentioned by the tender inviting authority.

The petitioner, along with two others, had participated in the bidding process and the petitioner had quoted an amount for Rs 3,29,00,000 with 18 percent GST. One of the other parties had quoted a higher amount but the same GST of 18%.

However, the party who was awarded the tender had quoted an amount of Rs 3,29,90,000 and quoted a GST at the rate of 9%, which he is not entitled to, the plea said.

This party had shown GST rates at 9% whereas it should be at 18%. The total amount without tax also was calculated at the 9 % discount offered by said party. This, it was contended, was an attempt to wilfully evade taxes and defraud the tendering authority.

Pertinently, it was pointed out that the declaration form which is an integral part of the tender document was deliberately not signed by this party.

As per Clause 3 of the declaration form, the bidder is required to quote the prevailing GST at the time of the bidding.

By quoting a GST rate which is not prevailing while submitting the tender, the petitioner alleged that the party's intention was to cheat the company, government and the other participants to the tender.

Hence, he is liable to be disqualified from the tender process, the plea stated,

It was also argued that the tender inviting authority ought to have disqualified this party in the Technical Bid opening itself and his Financial Bid ought not to have been considered. However, the tender inviting authority allegedly by oversight and with other intentions accepted this party's bid, the plea said.

Moreover, by accepting the quote of this party,the Government would actually end up paying more money, the petitioner submitted.

In conclusion, it was submitted that accepting the quote of the this party would be arbitrary, discriminatory and hence violative of Articles 14 and 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India.

The petitioner also sought a declaration from the Court stating that submitting of signed declaration form is an essential condition in the tender invited by KMML.

Challenge to appointment of Dr. Najma Akhtar as Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia University: Delhi High Court seeks CVC response

Challenge to appointment of Dr. Najma Akhtar as Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia University: Delhi High Court seeks CVC response

An appeal has been filed in Delhi High Court against a single-judge bench judgment dismissing a petition challenging the appointment of Dr. Najma Akhtar as the Vice-Chancellor of the Jamia Millia Islamia University.

Dr Najma Akhtar, Delhi High Court

Zeb Hasan

Published on : 31 Jul, 2021 , 5:07 pm

The Delhi High Court on Friday sought response from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) in a challenge made to the appointment of Dr. Najma Akhtar as the Vice-Chancellor of the Jamia Millia Islamia University (M Ehtesham-ul-Haq vs UOI & Ors).

Before the Court was an appeal challenging a single-Judge judgement that had earlier dismissed a plea challenging the appointment of Dr Akhtar as the Vice-Chancellor.

Appearing for the appellant, advocate Mobashir Sarwar contended that the appointment needs to be set aside as it was wholly illegal. It was argued that the Search Committee constituted for appointing the Vice-Chancellor was marred by illegalities.

Dr Najma Akhtar was represented by ASG Vikramjit Banerjee along with standing counsel Fuzail Ayyubi. Banerjee contended that there is no reason to entertain the appeal as no new grounds have been raised in it.

Since the appeal was at the stage of admission, and since no one appeared on behalf of the CVC on Friday, the Court posted the matter for hearing on 22 September, 2021. The Court has also sought the CVC's response.

The appellant had contended that the entire process which culminated in the appointment of Dr Akhtar as the Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia University was a colourable exercise of power.

The process was also alleged to have been in flagrant violation of the Jamia Millia Islamia Act, 1988 read with Clause 7.3.0 of the UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the maintenance of standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2010.

The appeal against single-judge judgment was filed on following grounds:

a) That the appointment of Justice (retd.) MSA Siddiqui as member of the Search Committee for the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor was wrong because he was not a “person of eminence in the sphere of higher education” as required under the applicable statute and regulations for members of the Search Committee.

b) The Selection Committee was required to give reasons for selecting Dr. Akhtar for Jamia Millia Islamia as per 3.2 of UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the maintenance of standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2010.

c) The Ministry of Human Resources and Development (MHRD) had no role recommending the names to be included in selection committee.

d) The CVC had initially denied clearance for the appointment of Dr Akhtar. The same was, however, revoked after the MHRD’s intervention, which is impermissible in law.

Apart from ASG Vikramjit Banerjee and standing counsel Fuzail Ayyubi, Dr Akhtar was also represented by advocates Pritish Sabharwal, Shruti Agarwal, Tanvi, Ibad Mushtaq, Akanksha Rai. The University Grants Commission (UGC) was represented by advocates Apoorv Kurup and Nidhi Mittal.

Benefit Of 'Krishna Sradha' Judgment Can Be Availed Only If NEET Candidate Approached Court Without Any Delay: Supreme Court

Benefit Of 'Krishna Sradha' Judgment Can Be Availed Only If NEET Candidate Approached Court Without Any Delay: Supreme Court

LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK

1 Aug 2021 10:30 AM

The Supreme Court observed that the benefit of S. Krishna Sradha v. State of Andhra Pradesh judgment can be availed only if the NEET candidate approached the Court without delay.

In Krishna Sradha, the Supreme Court has observed that, in exceptional cases, a direction can be issued to grant admission to meritorious candidates to MBBS Course even after cut-off date.

One crucial condition is that the student has to approach the Court at the earliest and without any delay, the bench comprising Justices L. Nageswara Rao and Aniruddha Bose noted.

In this case, the High Court directed to admit the students to the first year MBBS course for the year 2020-2021 in the vacant seats that existed for the academic year 2019-2020. The order was passed in a writ petition filed by NEET candidates who had alleged that students with lesser merit have been given admission to the MBBS course for the academic year 2019-2020.

Assailing this order, the National Medical Council in its appeal, contended that the judgment in Krishna Sradha cannot come to the rescue of the students as they approached the High Court one and a half year after the last date of admission for the academic year 2019- 2020.

The court noted that in S. Krishna Sradha, the need for providing restitutional remedy in rare cases was highlighted.

"...However, the conditions for grant of relief or for seeking admission to the available courses after the last date have been mentioned in para 33 of the judgment. One crucial condition is that the student has to approach the Court at the earliest and without any delay. It was further mentioned in the judgment that in case admission is directed to be given to the students, the number of seats allotted in the management quota for the next year has to be reduced."

The bench observed that the High Court ought not to have shown indulgence to the writ petitioners by directing admission in the vacant seats that arose in the year 2019-2020 and permit the students to start their course in the academic year 2020-2021.

"We are aware that the interference by this Court would cause loss of an academic year to the students. However, we cannot support the judgment of the High Court in granting admission for the year 2020- 2021 as it is contrary to the judgment of this Court in S. Krishna Sradha (supra) case. The students approached the High Court almost one and a half year after the last date of admission of the first year MBBS course for the academic year 2019-2020", the Court said while setting aside the High Court direction.

Case: Medical Council of India vs. Ritwik [CA 4438 of 2021 ]

Coram: Justices L. Nageswara Rao and Aniruddha Bose

Counsel: AOR Gaurav Sharma for appellant, Sr. Adv P.V. Surendranath, Sr. Adv Vinay Navare, AOR Subhasish Bhowmick

Citation: LL 2021 SC 335

Benefit Of 'Krishna Sradha' Judgment Can Be Availed Only If NEET Candidate Approached Court Without Any Delay: Supreme Court

Benefit Of 'Krishna Sradha' Judgment Can Be Availed Only If NEET Candidate Approached Court Without Any Delay: Supreme Court: The Supreme Court observed that the benefit of S. Krishna Sradha v. State of Andhra Pradesh judgment can be availed only if the NEET candidate approached the Court without delay.In Krishna Sradha,...

மிரட்டும் கேரளா: கொரோனா பரவியது எப்படி?

மிரட்டும் கேரளா: கொரோனா பரவியது எப்படி?

Updated : ஆக 01, 2021 00:22 | Added : ஜூலை 31, 2021 21:45

கேரளாவில், கொரோனா பரவல் அதிகமாக உள்ளது. அது, தமிழகத்திலும் தன் தாக்கத்தை ஏற்படுத்தலாம் என, மருத்துவர்கள் சிலர் தொடர்ந்து எச்சரிக்கை மணி அடிக்கின்றனர். அச்சமூட்டும் இந்த விபரம் சரியா என, மருத்துவ துறையின் நோய் தொற்று ஆய்வில், நீண்டகாலமாக ஈடுபட்டு வரும், மூத்த மருத்துவர் ஒருவர் கூறியதாவது:

கேரள மருத்துவ பல்கலையில் இருந்து, பல தரவுகள் கிடைத்துள்ளன. அவற்றை பார்த்தால், கொரோனா முதல் அலையின் போது, கேரளா பெரிய அளவில் பாதிப்புக்கு உள்ளாகவில்லை.

மக்கள் நெருக்கம்

காரணம், கேரளாவில் மலைப் பிரதேசம் அதிகம். வீடுகள் நெருக்கமாக இல்லை. அதனால், மக்கள் நெருக்கம் ஒரே இடத்தில் இல்லை. ஓரளவுக்கு பரவிய கொரோனாவை, விரைவிலேயே கட்டுக்குள் கொண்டு வந்தனர். ஆனால், அடுத்தடுத்த அலை பரவலால், அவர்களால் கட்டுப்படுத்த முடியவில்லை. காரணம், மக்கள் நெருக்கமாக கூடியது தான். திருவனந்தபுரம், ஆலப்புழா, திருச்சூர் போன்ற கேரளாவின் பெரிய நகரங்களில், ஏராளமான கல்லுாரிகள் உள்ளன. அங்கு ஆண்களும், பெண்களும் சேர்ந்து படிக்கின்றனர்; பலர் விடுதிகளில் தங்கி உள்ளனர்.

கல்லுாரிகளில் படிக்கும் மாணவர்கள், விடுதியில் தங்கியிருப்போர், எந்தவிதமான எச்சரிக்கை உணர்வும் இல்லாமல் இருந்துள்ளனர். ஒரு கல்லுாரி மைதானத்தில், மாணவர்கள் நெருக்கமாக அமர்ந்து, கால்பந்து போட்டிகளை ரசித்துள்ளனர். கொரோனா நோய் தொற்றுக்கு ஆளான சிலரும், அவர்களுடன் இருந்துள்ளனர். இதுவே, கொரோனா பரவலுக்கு முக்கிய காரணம்.

பாதுகாப்பு நடவடிக்கை

அதே நேரத்தில், கல்லுாரி விடுதிகளில் தங்கி படிக்கும் மாணவியருக்கு, கொரோனா இரண்டாவது அலை பரவலும் பெரிய பாதிப்பை ஏற்படுத்தவில்லை. இன்னொரு கல்லுாரியில், விடுதிக்கான உணவகத்தில் அமர்ந்து சாப்பிட தடை விதித்து, கொரோனா பாதுகாப்பு நடவடிக்கைகளை கவனமாக பின்பற்றி உள்ளனர். ஆனால், 'மெஸ்'க்கு வந்து சாப்பாடு வாங்கும் மாணவர்கள், விடுதி அறைகளுக்கு சென்று, அங்கே கூட்டமாக அமர்ந்து சாப்பிட்டுள்ளனர்.

ஒரு சிறிய அறையில், 20 பேர் வரை தங்கி சாப்பிட, ஏற்கனவே கொரோனா தொற்று இருந்தவர்களிடம் இருந்து, மற்றவர்களுக்கும் பரவி விட்டது. இப்படித் தான், கொரோனா பரவல் மாநிலம் முழுதும் அதிகரித்திருக்கிறது. இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

'மூன்றாவது அலை அச்சம் வேண்டாம்'

''ஆகஸ்ட் மாத இறுதியில் அல்லது செப்டம்பர் முதல் வாரத்தில், மூன்றாவது அலை இருக்கும் என்று கூறுகின்றனர்;அதை புறக்கணிக்க முடியாது. எத்தனை அலை வந்தாலும், எதிர்கொள்ள தயாராக இருக்க வேண்டும். இரண்டாவது அலையில், இளைஞர்களும், குழந்தைகளும் பெரிய அளவில் பாதிக்கப்படுவர் என்று கணிக்கப்பட்டது. ஆனால், அது பொதுவாக தான் இருந்தது.

கேரளாவில், கொரோனா பாதிப்பு எண்ணிக்கை கூடுதலாக உள்ளது. இருந்தபோதும், இறப்பு எண்ணிக்கை குறைவாகவே உள்ளது. அதனால், பெரிய அளவில் அச்சம் வேண்டாம். மூன்றாவது அலையும் அப்படி தான் இருக்கும் என்பது தற்போதைய கணிப்பு.

டாக்டர் தீபக் கண்ணன்

நுரையீரல் சிறப்பு சிகிச்சை நிபுணர்

'-கேரளாவுக்கு செல்வதை கட்டுப்படுத்த வேண்டும்'

கொரோனா மூன்றாவது அலையில், கொரோனா வைரஸ் உருமாற்றம் எப்படி இருக்கும் என்று தெரியவில்லை. 'டெல்டா பிளஸ்' உருமாற்ற வைரசாக இருக்குமானால், அதிக வீரியத்துடன், அதன் தாக்கம் இருக்கும். அதனால், நாம் கவனமாக இருப்பது நல்லது.

இருப்பினும், மூன்றாவது அலை கூடுதல் பாதிப்பை ஏற்படுத்தாது என்கின்றனர். ஆனால், கொரோனா வைரசை பொறுத்தவரை, எதையும் உறுதியாக சொல்ல முடியாது. கேரளாவில் வைரஸ் பரவல் அதிகமாக இருக்கிறது. அதனால், கேரளாவுக்கு போவதையும் வருவதையும் கட்டுப்படுத்த வேண்டும். தேவையில்லாத பயணத்தை தவிர்க்க வேண்டும்.

டாக்டர் ஜி.வேல்குமார்

நுரையீரல் சிறப்பு சிகிச்சை நிபுணர்,

மீனாட்சி மிஷன் மருத்துவமனை, மதுரை

- நமது நிருபர் -

'ஓய்வூதிய பணப்பலன்களை பத்திரங்களாக ஏற்க முடியாது'

'ஓய்வூதிய பணப்பலன்களை பத்திரங்களாக ஏற்க முடியாது'

Added : ஆக 01, 2021 02:49

மதுரை,-''ஓய்வூதிய பணப்பலன்களை பத்திரங்களாக அரசு வழங்குவதை ஏற்க முடியாது,'' என, தமிழ்நாடு அரசு பணியாளர் சங்க மாநில தலைவர் குமார் தெரிவித்தார்.

மதுரையில் நேற்று அவர் கூறியதாவது: அரசு பணியாளர்களின் ஓய்வு வயது மீண்டும் 58 ஆக குறைக்கப்படும் என்றும், 60 அல்லது பணிக்காலம் 33 ஆண்டுகள் என நிர்ணயிக்கப்படும் என்றும் சில நாட்களாக செய்திகள் வெளியாகின்றன. கலக்கம்ஓய்வூதிய பணப்பலன்கள் உடனடியாக வழங்கப்படாது எனவும், பத்திரங்களாக தவணை முறையில் அளிக்கப்படும் எனவும் வெளியாகும் தகவல்கள், ஓய்வு வயதை எட்டியுள்ளவர்களிடம் கலக்கத்தை ஏற்படுத்தி உள்ளன.மாநிலத்தில் ஆண்டுதோறும் சராசரியாக 25 ஆயிரம் பணியாளர்கள் ஓய்வு பெறுகின்றனர். ஓய்வின் போது கிடைக்கும் பணப்பலன்களை வைத்து குழந்தைகள் திருமணம் உள்ளிட்ட செலவுகளை மேற்கொள்கின்றனர். எனவே, முதல்வர் ஸ்டாலின் இந்த செய்திகளுக்கு முற்றுப்புள்ளி வைக்க வேண்டும்.ஓய்வு வயதை நிர்ணயிக்கும் அரசின் கொள்கை முடிவுகள் எதுவாயினும் ஏற்புடையதே. ஆனால், ஓய்வூதிய பணப்பலன்களை ஓய்வின் போதே முழுமையாக வழங்காமல் பத்திரங்களாக வழங்குவதை ஏற்க முடியாது. பணி வரன்முறைமறைந்த முன்னாள் முதல்வர் கருணாநிதி பணியாளர்களுக்கு ஆதரவாக இருந்தார். எனவே, முதல்வர் ஸ்டாலின் பணியாளர்கள் நலன் காக்க வேண்டும்.பழைய ஓய்வூதியம் குறித்த தேர்தல் வாக்குறுதியை, வரும் சட்டசபை கூட்ட தொடரில் அறிவிக்க வேண்டும். தற்காலிக, ஒப்பந்த பணியாளர்களை பணி வரன்முறை செய்ய வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

சுற்றுலா செல்ல ஐ.ஆர்.சி.டி.சி., அழைப்பு

சுற்றுலா செல்ல ஐ.ஆர்.சி.டி.சி., அழைப்பு

Added : ஆக 01, 2021 00:22

கோவை-பாரத தரிசன சிறப்பு ரயில், சிறப்பு விமானங்கள் வாயிலாக, நாட்டின் பல்வேறு பகுதிகளுக்கு சுற்றுலா செல்ல, ஐ.ஆர்.சி.டி.சி., ஏற்பாடு செய்துள்ளது.

பாரத தரிசன சிறப்பு ரயில் வாயிலாக கோவா, சர்தார் வல்லபபாய் படேல் சிலை, ஜெய்ப்பூர், டில்லி, ஆக்ரா, ஐதராபாத் ஆகிய இடங்களை காண ஏற்பாடு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.

மதுரையில் இருந்து ஆக., 15ல் புறப்படும் ரயில் திருநெல்வேலி, நாகர்கோவில், திருவனந்தபுரம், எர்ணாகுளம் வழியாக செல்கிறது. 12 நாள் சுற்றுலாவுக்கு நபருக்கு, 12 ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் கட்டணம்.

விமான சுற்றுலா  செப்., 11ம் தேதி கோவையில் இருந்து விமானத்தில், காசி, அலகாபாத், புத்த கயா உள்ளிட்ட இடங்களுக்கு ஆன்மிக சுற்றுலா செல்லலாம். ஆறு நாள் சுற்றுலாவுக்கு, ஒரு நபருக்கு, 27 ஆயிரத்து, 460 ரூபாய் கட்டணம்.ஜெய்ப்பூர் பறக்கலாம்!கோவையில் இருந்து விமானத்தில் அக்., 2ம் தேதி ஜெய்ப்பூர், ஆக்ரா - தாஜ்மஹால், டில்லி செல்லும் விமான சுற்றுலா அறிமுகம் செய்யப்படுகிறது. ஆறு நாள் சுற்றுலாவுக்கு நபருக்கு, 26 ஆயிரத்து, 60 ரூபாய் கட்டணம்.டிக்கெட் முன்பதிவு மற்றும் விபரங்களுக்கு, கோவை ஐ.ஆர்.சி.டி.சி., அதிகாரிகளை, 82879 31965, 90031 40655 என்ற மொபைல் போன் எண்களிலும், www.irctctourism.com என்ற இணையதள முகவரியிலும் தொடர்பு கொள்ளலாம்.

திறந்தநிலை பல்கலையில் முதுநிலை பட்டம்; அதிகாரிக்கு பதவி உயர்வு மறுத்தது சரியே

திறந்தநிலை பல்கலையில் முதுநிலை பட்டம்; அதிகாரிக்கு பதவி உயர்வு மறுத்தது சரியே

Added : ஆக 01, 2021 00:11

சென்னை-'பட்டப்படிப்பு படிக்காமல், திறந்தநிலை பல்கலையில், நேரடியாக முதுநிலை பட்டம் பெற்றவருக்கு பதவி உயர்வு மறுத்தது சரியே' என, சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

வேலுார் மாவட்டம் சோளிங்கரில், இரண்டாம் நிலை சார் - பதிவாளராக செந்தில்குமார் என்பவர் பணியாற்றுகிறார். அரசு பணியாளர் தேர்வாணையம் நடத்திய தேர்வில் வெற்றிபெற்று, 2009ம் ஆண்டில் இரண்டாம் நிலை சார் பதிவாளராக நியமிக்கப்பட்டார்.முதல் நிலை சார் - பதிவாளர் பணிக்கான பதவி உயர்வு பட்டியலில் இவரது பெயர் இடம் பெறவில்லை. திறந்தநிலை பல்கலையில் நேரடியாக முதுநிலை பட்டம் பெற்றதால் இடம் பெறவில்லை. பதவி உயர்வுக்கு பரிசீலிக்க கோரியதும் நிராகரிக்கப்பட்டது.

அந்த உத்தரவை எதிர்த்து, உயர் நீதிமன்றத்தில் செந்தில்குமார் வழக்கு தொடர்ந்து வெற்றி பெற்றார். உயர் நீதிமன்ற உத்தரவை எதிர்த்து, பதிவுத்துறை ஐ.ஜி., வணிக வரித்துறை செயலர் சார்பில், மேல்முறையீடு செய்யப்பட்டது.மனுவை விசாரித்த, நீதிபதிகள் புஷ்பா சத்தியநாராயணா, கிருஷ்ணன் ராமசாமி அடங்கிய அமர்வு பிறப்பித்த உத்தரவு:பட்டப்படிப்பு படிக்காமல், திறந்தநிலை பல்கலையில் நேரடியாக முதுநிலை பட்டம் பெற்றவர்களை, பணி நியமனத்துக்கு, பதவி உயர்வுக்கு பரிசீலிக்க முடியாது என, உச்ச நீதிமன்றம் ஏற்கனவே உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது. எனவே, பதவி உயர்வு பட்டியலில், செந்தில்குமாரை சேர்க்காதது சரிதான்.தகுதி மற்றும் சீனியாரிட்டியால் மட்டுமே, பதவி உயர்வு பெறுவதற்கான உரிமை வந்து விடாது. கல்வி தகுதியும் பெற்றிருக்க வேண்டும்.

பட்டப்படிப்பு முடிக்காமல், திறந்தநிலை பல்கலையில் நேரடியாக முதுநிலை பட்டத்தை செந்தில்குமார் பெற்றுள்ளார்.உச்ச நீதிமன்ற உத்தரவுப்படி, இது செல்லாது. அதிகாரிகள் சரியாக நிராகரித்துள்ளனர். தனி நீதிபதியின் உத்தரவு ரத்து செய்யப்படுகிறது.இவ்வாறு நீதிபதிகள் உத்தரவிட்டனர்.

AIQ seats: OPS hails Centre’s move on 27% reservation

AIQ seats: OPS hails Centre’s move on 27% reservation

01/08/2021

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

AIADMK coordinator O. Panneerselvam has hailed the Centre’s decision to provide 27% reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in all-India quota (AIQ) seats for undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses as a “revolutionary step”.

Expressing his “happiness, gratefulness and appreciation” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the “historic decision” that fulfilled the long-standing demand of the people of Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK leader, in a letter on Friday, said the development would “greatly benefit” thousands of students belonging to the OBCs every year, and generate a “new form of social justice” in the country.

“It reflects your commitment and concern to the welfare of the backward classes,” Mr. Panneerselvam said.

Madurai: Man steals bikes, enjoys for two days, returns them

Madurai: Man steals bikes, enjoys for two days, returns them

If you are passionate about something, you must find a way to do it. Taking this TED talk kind of advice to heart, comes a man, from the shadows, with a taste for expensive bikes.

Published: 01st August 2021 03:26 AM 

By Express News Service

MADURAI: If you are passionate about something, you must find a way to do it. Taking this TED talk kind of advice to heart, comes a man, from the shadows, with a taste for expensive bikes. While most would call him a thief, an outlaw, this man’s modus operandi was to ‘briefly’ steal bikes, ride them and return them. No harm, no foul?

The ‘perfect crime’ came to the attention of the police when a series of two-wheeler thefts were reported in the past few days in Madurai city, Karimedu and Tallakulam. All the thefts stood out because they had a similar pattern.

Now if you own bikes that are cheap and reliable, we have good news for you. Your thriftiness might have just saved you because our bike thief prefers only expensive bikes. Well, from his perspective it might seem like he ‘borrowed’ those bikes and rode it because he would always return the vehicle to its original place. The crime went on smoothly until it was captured by the CCTV cameras and from there the identity of the bike thief came to light. The police nabbed 21-year-old youth P Naveen Kumar from Sellur early this week.

According to the Karimedu police, Kumar has a ‘passion’ for expensive bikes. “Whichever brands he liked, he stole them at night and after riding them for a few days, he left the stolen vehicles in their original spots. He had stolen at least three two wheelers in the past few weeks,” the police said.

To err is indeed human as Kumar, who had meticulously planned his crime, was arrested when he was identified by the CCTV footage from the areas where the vehicles were stolen. Two bikes which could not be returned to their original place were seized from him.

Streamline V-C search panels: Ex-V-C, Anna varsity

Streamline V-C search panels: Ex-V-C, Anna varsity

In his letter, he charged that powerful intermediaries used to influence the selection of VCs on the basis of caste, religion, political connections, and money power four years ago.

Published: 01st August 2021 03:30 AM |

Anna University (File Photo | EPS)

By Express News Service

COIMBATORE: Anna University former Vice-Chancellor (V-C) E Balagurusamy on Saturday appealed to Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit to streamline the working of the V-C search committee at the university to eliminate corrupt practices.

In his letter, he charged that powerful intermediaries used to influence the selection of VCs on the basis of caste, religion, political connections, and money power four years ago. “An eminent academician in Tamil Nadu said in a public forum that the price of the VC [post] rages from Rs 5 to 20 crore,” he said, adding that corruption was involved even in the appointment of the syndicate members.

Balagurusamy mooted a eight-point procedure to be followed in the selection and appointment of VCs. As part of the procedure, he said that the panel members should be of high standing with impeccable integrity. Before recommending the names to the Chancellor, the committee must obtain clearance from the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption and “integrity” certificates from the last employer. Further, the candidates must declare in advance that any attempt to influence the selection process would automatically disqualify them, he said.

Quit undermining States’ powers over education: MK Stalin

Quit undermining States’ powers over education: MK Stalin

CM writes to Union minister, objects to draft PG medical edu norms

Published: 01st August 2021 04:50 AM 

Chief Minister MK Stalin.

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The State government has raised strong objection to the Draft Post Graduation Medical Education Regulations released recently by the National Medical Commission. Chief Minister MK Stalin, in a letter to Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandavia, said the draft regulations intend to undermine the role of the States in the postgraduate medical education since their role in admission of students under their own State quota is sought to be unilaterally removed.

“It is unfortunate that such draft regulations have been formulated without a proper understanding of the predominant role of State Governments in this domain. The Union Government and the National Medical Council need to appreciate the fact that the States had heavily invested their resources to create most of the PG seats. Considering this, our State has consistently been opposed to such measures aimed at centralisation of States’ powers,” the CM said. He added that the proposed regulation is not only unacceptable but is also in contravention of the provisions in the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, governing the common counselling for the seats at the State level.

“In this connection, I would like to draw your kind attention to Section 11.2 of the draft PG Regulations, which attempts to centralise and designate the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India as the designated authority for counselling for State quota seats, he said, pointing out that the section is clearly contrary to the provision in Section 15 of the Main NMC Act, 2019, which explicitly mentions that “the designated authority of the State Government shall conduct the common counselling for the seats at the State level,” the Chief Minister added.

Noting that Tamil Nadu has consistently expressed objection to the proposed National Exit Test as well as the proposal to make it the basis of admissions to PG seats, Stalin said that the draft regulations are totally against the consistent and principled stand of our State government.

“Any hasty attempts, as brought out in the draft regulations, aimed at changing the present methodology of counselling for the State quota seats against the provision of the NMC Act and the proposal to make the National Exit test as the basis of PG admissions in future, should be immediately stopped,” he urged.

First-gen grads will get priority in govt jobs: CM

First-gen grads will get priority in govt jobs: CM

Chennai:01.08.2021

Chief minister M K Stalin on Saturday said the state government would give priority to first-generation graduates in jobs in the government sector and instructed authorities to develop training modules and courses in government training centres for youngsters to excel in competitive examinations.

Chairing a review meeting of officials in finance and human resources department at the secretariat, he instructed officials to take measures to help youngsters from the state clear competitive exams. To achieve it, right training programmes should be designed, he said.

Meanwhile, authorities should create awareness among youngsters about employment opportunities available in Union and state governments, he said. He stressed the need for special training for government employees to enhance the quality of service rendered to the public. For this, quality of training should improve at Anna Institute of Management and other government institutions. He asked senior bureaucrats to utilise existing facilities at the civil service training institute at Bhavanisagar to conduct online training for government employees to enhance their abilities. TNN

Only 23 of 8L students enroll for Class XII supplementary exam

Only 23 of 8L students enroll for Class XII supplementary exam

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:01.08.2021

Of the 8.16 lakh state board students who received their Class XII marks under the weightage system followed by the Tamil Nadu school education department, only 23 — all regular school students — have expressed their intention to appear for the supplementary exams saying they were not happy with their marks, school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi told reporters on Saturday.

“The school education department had announced that the students who are aggrieved with their marks under the weightage system need to write the written exam in all subjects and their marks in exams will be the final score. Due to this only a few students applied,” he said.

The supplementary exam for private candidates will be conducted from August 6 to19. “Including the late applicants, 45,654 students, mainly private candidates, will sit for the exams,” the minister added.

After declaring the Class XII results, the directorate of government examinations gave the opportunity for aggrieved students to apply for supplementary exams from July 23 to 27. The state government had given a weightage of 50% for Class X marks and 20% for Class XI and 30% for Class XII internal assessment and practical marks.

Asked about the reopening of schools, the minister said, “We will decide after getting the opinion of health experts.” The school education department had directed all teachers working in government schools to report for duty on August 2.

Meanwhile, many CBSE schools received complaints from parents that the marks awarded to their wards were not satisfactory. Around 100 parents who had enrolled their children at NEET coaching integrated programme at Velammal Group of Schools in Mogappair protested on Saturday complaining that their wards who scored high in Class X had received very low marks in Class XII.

“The school management assured the parents that they would discuss the issue with their teachers and would appeal to the board if needed to increase the score. The parents were asked to come on Monday,” Krishnaveni, a parent from the school said.

PROTEST OVER MARKS: Parents of students of a CBSE school in the city protested on the institute premises on Saturday, saying low marks were awarded to top scorers

Eateries shut at 9 places in Chennai

Eateries shut at 9 places in Chennai

Had Opened For Biz In Areas Where Curbs In Place

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:01.08.2021

About 40 restaurants and eateries were ordered to down shutters after they had opened for business on Saturday at nine locations in the city where Greater Chennai Corporation had announced a lockdown of markets and shops for the next ten days. Civic officials accompanied by police personnel went around these areas enforcing the lockdown.

The Chennai Hotels Association said the official communique from Greater Chennai Corporation did not include hotels in the list of business establishments that must be shutdown and appealed to the government to declare eateries an essential service and exempt them from the shutdown.

Association president Ravi said, "We have taken up the issue with Greater Chennai Corporation, seeking permission to continue to keep the restaurants open," he said, adding that the representatives will also be meeting the police in this regard.

On Friday, the civic body had announced closure of markets and shops at nine locations in the city for 10 days from July 31 in a bid to check the spike in Covid-19 cases. The areas include Ranganathan street, parts of North Usman Road, the area from Ratna Café to Bells Road in Zam Bazaar, Thiru-Vi-Ka-Park junction, the stretch from Anjaneya statue to Ambedkar statue in Red Hills, Kuralagam to Thanga Road junction on NSC Bose Road, Habibullah Raod, Pulipon Bazaar, Royapuram Market Kalmandapam Road, Royapuram water tank to Kamatchi Amman temple, and part of Aminijikarai market on Poonamallee high Road.

FIRST STEP: A health worker on Saturday collects swab samples for Covid-19 test during a fever camp at Usman Road, one of the places in T Nagar where the corporation has announced a lockdown of shops and other commercial establishments till August 9

Temples closed to devotees for 3 days

The Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HR&CE) department on Saturday announced that devotees will not be permitted to congregate in major ‘Amman’ and ‘Murugan’ temples in the state from August 1 to August 3 to offer prayers for Aadi Krithigai. Senior officials said the government has taken the decision in view of Covid-19 cases rising. However, pujas will continue in the temples, which include Vadapalani Andavar temple, Kandaswamy temple at Kandhakottam, and Padavattamman temple at Padi in the city. Every year, Aadi Krithigai is celebrated in a grand manner in the six abodes of Lord Muruga in the state — Palani, Tiruttani, Swamimalai, Thiruparangundram, Tiruchendur and Palamuthircholai. TNN

Interviews for Anna Univ VC post on Aug 9

Interviews for Anna Univ VC post on Aug 9

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:01.08.2021

Anna University vice-chancellor search committee, headed by Jawaharlal Nehru University vice-chancellor M Jagadish Kumar, will interview shortlisted candidates on August 9. Ten candidates, including five professors from Anna University and two from IIT Madras, were shortlisted from the 160-odd candidates from across the country who applied for the post, sources said.

Candidates are likely to be asked to present their vision for the state’s premier technical university, including their plans for bringing in funds and improving the research output, during the interview. Following the interview, the search panel will recommend three names to governor Banwarilal Purohit.

Other members on the panel are retired IAS officer Sheela Rani Chunkath and former vice-chancellor of Madras University S P Thyagarajan.

The panel invited applications from candidates with 20 years of teaching experience in universities, postgraduate colleges and research institutions and minimum 10 years of experience as a professor in the university system. The application window ended on June 30.

Anna University vice-chancellor M K Surappa completed his three-year tenure on April 11 and the varsity is being run by a three-member convener committee for the last three months.

Anna University professors urged the search panel and governor to select a candidate with impeccable character and high academic credentials as vicechancellor.

E Balagurusamy, former vice-chancellor of Anna University, proposed eight measures to the governor to make the VC selection process more transparent. He suggested that former VCs be included in the search panel, a publicity blitz to attract maximum suitable candidates, publication of bio-data of all applicants, disqualification of candidates who try to influence, obtaining a clearance certificate from DVAC for shortlisted candidates and integrity certificate from former employers. He also suggested that the list of recommended candidates be placed in public domain for at least a week before the appointment order is issued.

Ten candidates, including five professors from Anna University and two from IIT Madras, were shortlisted from 160-odd applicants from across the country

CM to Centre: Draft PG medical edu rules undermine state role

CM to Centre: Draft PG medical edu rules undermine state role

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:01.08.2021

Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin on Saturday wrote to Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya objecting to the draft Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations on the grounds that they sought to undermine the role of states.

The role of states in the admission of students under their own state quota is sought to be unilaterally removed, Stalin said. "It is unfortunate that such draft regulations have been formulated without a proper understanding of the current predominant role of state governments in this domain. The union government and the National Medical Council need to appreciate the fact that it is only the states which have heavily invested their own resources to create most of the PG seats," he said.

The CM pointed to Section 11.2 of the draft, which attempts to centralize and designate the directorate general of health services, ministry of health and family welfare, government of India, as the designated authority for counselling for State quota seats. This section is clearly contrary to the provision in the Section 15 of the Main NMC Act, 2019, which explicitly mentions that “the designated authority of the State Government shall conduct the common counselling for the seats at the state level”, he said.

Further, Section 10.1 and the sub-clauses under it are an attempt to introduce licentiate examination for enrolment in medical registers and making it serve as a NEET for admission to PG Courses.

"I am of the firm view that the status-quo should be maintained on the admissions for State quota PG admissions seats. I once again strongly reiterate our opposition to the draft Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2021, which hit at the very root of federalism," Stalin said.

The role of states in the admission of students under their own state quota is sought to be unilaterally removed, Stalin said in his letter to Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya