On the rise: State registers 1,949 new cases, 38 deaths

On the rise: State registers 1,949 new cases, 38 deaths

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 05.08.2021

After recording a decline in cases for two days, Tamil Nadu reported an increase in fresh cases on Wednesday. It reported 1,949 cases compared to1,908 on Tuesday. At the end of the day, the number of deaths rose to 38, but active cases dropped to 20,117 after the state discharged 2,011 patients.

Meanwhile, the directorate of public health said a negative RT-PCR test report or a Covid-19 vaccination (two doses) certificate is mandatory for people entering TN from neighbouring Kerala, which has been reporting more than 20,000 cases a day. The addendum to the Covid-19 screening/testing guidelines was issued by health secretary J Radhakrishnan. The test should have been taken 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey, the order said.

At least 22 districts contributed to the increase on Wednesday. Coimbatore, which continues to record the maximum cases, reported 226 cases compared to 208 Tuesday. Cases in Chennai came down to 189 compared to 203 Tuesday. Chennai saw the second highest number of cases in the state. After Coimbatore and Chennai, Erode, Chengalpet and Thanjavur reported 154,114 and 110 cases.

Tiruvallur, Tiruvarur, Kanyakumari, Pudukottai, Nilgiris and Ramanathapuram reported an increase of 15 to 10 cases over Tuesday. Barring Coimbatore, active cases were fewer than 2000 in all districts.

The state reported more deaths compared to 29 deaths on Tuesday. Of the 38 districts, Tiruvallur reported five deaths, followed by three each in Coimbatore and Tiruvarur.

Tirupur and Virudhunagar imposed tighter restrictions like those in Coimbatore in the wake of the rising incidence of Covid.

Pondy reports 120 fresh Covid cases, 3 deaths

The Union territory of Puducherry reported 120 fresh Covid-19 cases even as 95 patients recovered in the last 24 hours ending at 10am on Wednesday taking the number of active cases to

907. Of them, 745 patients are under home isolation and treatment.

Puducherry headquarters reported the maximum fresh cases with 85 followed by Mahe (18), Karaikal (15) and Yanam (2). Puducherry headquarters has the maximum active cases with 656 followed by Karaikal (134), Mahe (86) and Yanam (31).

Two women from Puducherry and a woman from Karaikal died of the infection taking the death toll to 1,798 on Wednesday. The territory has so far reported 1.21 lakh cases of which 1.18 patients recovered registering a recovery rate of 97.8%. The positivity rate of the samples (5,868) tested on Wednesday stood at 2%. So far, 7.18 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered (including the second dose).

‘Banker’ cons Madras univ prof of ₹10,000

‘Banker’ cons Madras univ prof of ₹10,000

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 05.08.2021

A man posed as a bank official and conned the husband of an IAS officer of ₹10,000. Cybercrime wing personnel are tracking the suspect’s location using mobile phone information to zero in on him.

The complainant Anbalagan, 58, of Virugambakkam said he received a call from a man claiming to be an official from SBI. The conman asked him to renew his bank account and asked Anbalagan, a professor at Madras university, for his KYC details.

The suspect reportedly told Anbalagan details on the present situation of the bank to gain his confidence. He managed to get the victim’s bank account credentials, including the one-time password sent to his mobile phone, after which the call got disconnected.

Within minutes, Anbalagan received a message that ₹10,000 was deducted from his account. Anbalagan tried to call the suspect back but the phone was switched off. He informed his wife Maheshwari, an IAS officer, and later lodged a formal complaint at the Virugambakkam police station. Further investigations are on.

It’s as if death penalty dictated by God, says Dr Subbiah’s wife

It’s as if death penalty dictated by God, says Dr Subbiah’s wife

‘It Has Taken 2,872 Days For Verdict’

Selvaraj.A@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 05.08.2021

“The sight of a sickle makes me shudder and I stopped using sickle even to chop coconut at our house. Whenever I see a sickle, the CCTV (camera footage) visual of my husband Dr S D Subbiah being hacked with one such sickle comes to mind. I have also stopped watching violent murders in movies,” said Shanthi Subbiah.

On Wednesday, when sessions judge S Alli was reading out the punishment part for each of the nine accused who plotted and carried out the gruesome murder about eight years ago, Shanthi was sitting still with tears rolling down her cheeks and face buried tightly between her palms.

“It has taken 2,872 days for the verdict to come. I felt like sitting in God’s courtyard and as if the verdict was being dispensed by the Almighty Himself,” Shanthi told TOI. “On Wednesday, I felt my husband would come back. I felt his presence in the court room too.”

“Every mortal dies, but the way he (Subbaiah) died is not acceptable. Despite living by his own high standards of ethics and morality, he was killed like an anti-social, on (the) road,” she said. “I still kept all his clothes neatly folded or on hangers just as the way he used to keep when he left me. I clean the cupboard and almirah without changing the order of his clothes.”

Shanthi has built a memorial for Subbaiah at his native Swamithope, near Kanyakumari, and has also floated a Dr Subbaiah Trust to support poor students.

Dr Subbiah was a top-notch neurosurgeon in the city, busy sharing his professional time and expertise between private and government hospitals. On September 14, 2013, three men armed with lethal weapons accosted him while he was getting into his car near Billroth Hospital at RA Puram. The doctor died of injuries on September 22. A CCTV camera at an apartment complex opposite the scene of the crime captured every detail of the gory sequence, sending shock waves.

Initial inquiries revealed that school teacher Ponnusamy, a relative of Subbiah, claimed he was legal heir for a property at Kanyakumari, which was under the custody of Subbaiah and his family.

Now-retired assistant commissioner of police P Subramani made the first breakthrough in the case. He told TOI: “Based on a tip, my team nabbed Dr James Satish Kumar from Koyambedu. His interrogation revealed the whole plot and subsequently, the hirelings — Murugan, Selva Prakash and Ayyappan — were arrested from Kanyakumari.” Based on their statements, police established the involvement of Ponnusamy and his family, and nabbed them.

The arrested were identified as Ponnusamy and his wife Mary Pushpam, their sons — P Basil, a lawyer, and P Boris, an engineer. Dr Kumar hired the three assailants, and also got lawyercum-kabaddi coach William and kabaddi player Yesurajan involved in the plot to eliminate Subbiah. Police said Murugan was involved in another murder after he came out on bail and Selva Prakash was arrested for a Pocso Act offence and detained under the Goondas Act.

On Wednesday, I felt my husband would come back. I felt his presence in the court room too... Every mortal dies, but the way he died is not acceptable

SHANTHI SUBBIAH

2 lawyers among 7 sentenced to death for city doc murder

2 lawyers among 7 sentenced to death for city doc murder

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:  05.08.2021

A city court on Wednesday sentenced two advocates and five others to death in the case of brutal murder of Dr Subbiah, a neurologist, seven years ago in Chennai. While two others were sentenced to life, the lone approver in the case was released without punishment. The murder of the doctor in broad daylight by a machete-wielding gang was captured on a CCTV installed in the neighbourhood.

First additional sessions judge S Alli on Wednesday announced the punishment after holding all the nine accused guilty. The crime was a fallout of a property dispute between the doctor and a Kanyakumari native, Ponnusamy, and his family. Others joined the conspiracy for gain. On September 14, 2013, the gang attacked Subbiah when he came out of Billroth Hospital in Raja Annamalaipuram. He died of injuries on September 23. Police arrested Dr James Satish Kumar and henchmen Murugan, Selva Prakash, Iyyappan, school teacher Ponnusamy, his wife P Mary Pushpam, and sons, P Basil, a lawyer, P Boris and Yesurajan. The prime accused, advocate B Williams, who was absconding, surrendered on August 2018.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: A CCTV footage shows the doctor, his car and some gang members

‘Death penalty must for all accused’

During the final argument, special public prosecutor N Vijayaraj submitted that all the accused are directly involved in the murder and insisted the court award death penalty to all of them.

Now, on completion of the trial, the sessions judge sentenced Ponnusamy, Basil, Boris, William, James Satish Kumar, Murugan and Selva Prakash to double capital punishment for offences under Sections 302 and 120B of IPC.

The other two accused, Mary Pushpam and Yesurajan, have been sentenced to double life terms.

Iyyappan, who turned approver, was considered as a prosecution witness and was released without any punishment.

Directing that all the sentences ordered against the accused shall run concurrently, the court said, “of the total fine of ₹10 lakh, a sum of ₹1 lakh shall be appropriated to the state and balance ₹9 lakh to be paid to the wife of the deceased Shanthi Subbiah, as compensation under Section 357 (2) of the CrPC.”

Since the capital punishment has to be confirmed by the high court, the court directed the immediate transfer of case bundles to the high court for confirmation of the death sentence imposed under Section 366 of the CrPC.

7.5% quota for govt students in all professional courses in TN

7.5% quota for govt students in all professional courses in TN

Panel Wanted State To Give 10% Quota

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 05.08.2021 

In an attempt to broad-base opportunity for students from rural areas and less privileged backgrounds, the Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday decided to extend the 7.5% reservation already offered for students of state government schools in medical courses to all professional courses such as engineering, agriculture, fisheries, veterinary sciences, and law.

The previous AIADMK government had provided 7.5% quota for students of such schools in undergraduate medical courses last October.

The DMK government set up a commission on June 15 led by retired Chief Justice of Delhi high court, D Murugesan, to look into enrollment ratio of government school students in professional courses such as engineering. “Reports said that only a few students from government schools were being admitted to professional courses and the government wanted to reverse that trend,” the state had said explaining the reason for setting up the commission.

“Justice D Murugesan panel has recommended 10% preferential quota, but the cabinet decided to confine it to 7.5% on a par with NEET quota,” a source said on Wednesday. The NEET quota helped 435 government students get seats in medicine and dental courses last academic year.

Nod for bill on state OBC list

The Union Cabinet has cleared a Constitution amendment bill which seeks to give power to states and UTs to make their own OBC lists, sources said on Wednesday. The SC had dismissed plea seeking review of its verdict nullifying states’ quota powers. P8

‘Existing rule of reservation won’t be disturbed’

The sources said, “This quota will be applicable to all government seats in professional courses in the state.” The horizontal reservation will not disturb the existing rule of reservation. The cabinet led by chief minister M K Stalin has decided to introduce a bill in the upcoming budget session to implement the reservation.

While 40% of the students who pass out every year in TN are government school students, the commission found that only 6.4% were admitted to professional courses last year and it was no different in the previous years. On an average, only 2% of government school students got admitted to Anna University. The data was 5% for law colleges and 3% for veterinary science courses, sources privy to the commission’s report said.

The commission found that there was a lack of awareness among rural households about professional courses and their economic condition was the foremost reason for this. Most of the parents also preferred government schools over private schools due to exorbitant fee. “It has been found that illiteracy in rural areas resulted in student dropouts, especially among girls. Many could not complete higher secondary-level education and have taken up jobs for survival. The commission has recommended a preferential quota to uplift the students from rural background who are unable to compete with students from urban areas,” the source said.

மருத்துவப் படிப்புகளில் 10% இடஒதுக்கீடு; மத்திய அரசு பதிலளிக்க உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவுசென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம்:

மருத்துவப் படிப்புகளில் 10% இடஒதுக்கீடு; மத்திய அரசு பதிலளிக்க உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவுசென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம்: 

சென்னை  04.08.2021 

மருத்துவப் படிப்புகளில் அகில இந்திய ஒதுக்கீட்டு இடங்களில் தமிழக இட ஒதுக்கீட்டு சட்டப்படி, 69 சதவீத இடஒதுக்கீட்டை அமல்படுத்தவே உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளதாக கூறிய சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம், இது குறித்து விளக்கமளிக்க மத்திய அரசுக்கு உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

மருத்துவப் படிப்புகளில் அகில இந்திய ஒதுக்கீடு இடங்களில், இதர பிற்படுத்தப்பட்ட வகுப்பினருக்கு இட ஒதுக்கீடு வழங்குவது குறித்து, குழு அமைத்து முடிவெடுக்க வேண்டும் என, மத்திய அரசுக்கு, சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் கடந்த 2020 ஜூலையில் உத்தரவிட்டது.

இந்த உத்தரவை அமல்படுத்த நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கவில்லை எனக் கூறி, திமுக தரப்பில் தாக்கல் செய்யப்பட்ட நீதிமன்ற அவமதிப்பு வழக்கு தலைமை நீதிபதி சஞ்ஜிப் பானர்ஜி தலைமையிலான அமர்வில் இன்று (ஆக. 03) விசாரணைக்கு வந்தபோது, மத்திய அரசுத்தரப்பில் ஆஜரான கூடுதல் சொலிசிட்டர் ஜெனரல் சங்கரநாராயணன், உயர் நீதிமன்ற உத்தரவின் அடிப்படையில் குழு நியமிக்கப்பட்டு, அதன் பரிந்துரை அடிப்படையில், மருத்துவப் படிப்புகளில் அகில இந்திய ஒதுக்கீடு இடங்களில் இதர பிற்படுத்தப்பட்ட வகுப்பினருக்கு 27 சதவீத இட ஒதுக்கீடு வழங்கி உத்தரவு பிறப்பிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதாக தெரிவித்தார். நீதிமன்ற அவமதிப்பு ஏதும் செய்யவில்லை எனவும் தெரிவித்தார்.

ஆனால், தமிழக அரசின் 69 சதவீத இட ஒதுக்கீட்டை அமல்படுத்தவில்லை என, திமுக தரப்பில் ஆஜரான மூத்த வழக்கறிஞர் வில்சன் குற்றம்சாட்டினார். தமிழக அரசின் இட ஒதுக்கீட்டை அமல்படுத்துவது குறித்து முடிவு செய்யவே குழு அமைக்க உத்தரவிடப்பட்டதாகவும், மத்திய அரசின் 27 சதவீத இட ஒதுக்கீடு என்பது மத்திய அரசு கல்வி நிறுவனங்களுக்கு மட்டுமே பொருந்தும் எனவும் வாதிட்டார்.

தமிழக அரசின் இட ஒதுக்கீட்டை புறக்கணிக்க முடியாது என உயர் நீதிமன்றம் கூறியுள்ளதாகவும், மத்திய அரசின் குழுவும், உச்ச நீதிமன்றமும் அங்கீகரித்துள்ளன எனத் தெரிவித்தார்.

இரு தரப்பு வாதங்களையும் கேட்ட நீதிபதிகள், தமிழக அரசு இயற்றிய சட்டத்தின் அடிப்படையில் 69 சதவீத இட ஒதுக்கீட்டை அமல்படுத்த வேண்டும் என உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவு பிறப்பித்துள்ளதாக தெரிவித்த நீதிபதிகள், அகில இந்திய ஒதுக்கீட்டு இடங்களில் பொருளாதார ரீதியில் பின்தங்கிய பிரிவினருக்கு வழங்கப்பட்ட 10 சதவீத இட ஒதுக்கீடு என்பது மொத்த இட ஒதுக்கீடான 50 சதவீதத்துக்குள் வருகிறதா? இல்லையா? எனவும் மத்திய அரசுக்குக் கேள்வி எழுப்பினர்.

இதற்கு பதிலளிக்க மத்திய அரசு தரப்பில் அவகாசம் வழங்க கோரியதை ஏற்று, வழக்கு விசாரணையை நீதிபதிகள் அடுத்த வாரம் தள்ளிவைத்தனர்.

திருவள்ளுவர் பல்கலை அறிவிப்பு அரசுக்கு உயர் நீதிமன்றம் கேள்வி

திருவள்ளுவர் பல்கலை அறிவிப்பு அரசுக்கு உயர் நீதிமன்றம் கேள்வி

Added : ஆக 03, 2021 00:12

சென்னை : திருவள்ளுவர் பல்கலை பதிவாளர், விண்ணப்பங்களை வரவேற்று வெளியிட்ட அறிவிப்பு குறித்து, அரசு பதிலளிக்க உத்தர விட்டு விசாரணையை நாளைக்கு, சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் தள்ளி வைத்துள்ளது.

வேலுார் திருவள்ளுவர் பல்கலையை பிரித்து, விழுப்புரத்தை தலைமையிடமாக்கி, டாக்டர் ஜெயலலிதா பல்கலை அமைக்கப்பட்டது. புதிதாக உருவாக்கப்பட்ட, இந்தப் பல்கலைக்கு நிதி ஒதுக்கவும், பதிவாளர் நியமிக்கவும் கோரி, முன்னாள் அமைச்சர் சி.வி.சண்முகம், வழக்கு தொடர்ந்தார்.மனுவில், 'விழுப்புரம் மாவட்டம், செம்மேடு கிராமத்தில், பல்கலைக்காக, 70 ஏக்கர் நிலம் ஒதுக்கப்பட்டது.தற்போதைய அரசின் புறக்கணிப்பால், பழைய தாலுகா அலுவலகத்தில் பல்கலை இயங்குகிறது. திருவள்ளுவர் பல்கலை பதிவாளர், விழுப்புரம் மாவட்டத்தில் உள்ள அதன் முதுகலை மையத்தில் விண்ணப்பங்களை வரவேற்று அறிவிப்பு வெளியிட்டது, சட்டத்தை மீறியது. இதற்கு தடை விதிக்க வேண்டும்' என கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இம்மனு, தலைமை நீதிபதி சஞ்ஜிப் பானர்ஜி, நீதிபதி ஆதிகேசவலு அடங்கிய அமர்வில், நேற்று விசாரணைக்கு வந்தது.மனுதாரர் சார்பில், மூத்த வழக்கறிஞர் விஜய் நாராயண், ''சட்டம் அமலுக்கு வந்த பின், திருவள்ளுவர் பல்கலைக்கு விழுப்புரம் மாவட்டத்தில் அதிகார வரம்பு கிடையாது,'' என்றார்.அரசு சார்பில் அட்வகேட் ஜெனரல் சண்முகசுந்தரம் ஆஜராகி, ''புதிய பல்கலைக்கு துணை வேந்தரும், வாகன ஓட்டுனரும் தான் நியமிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர். ''பழைய தாலுகா அலுவலகத்தில் பல்கலை இயங்குகிறது. மாணவர்கள் நலன் கருதி, திருவள்ளுவர் பல்கலை அறிவிப்பு வெளியிட்டது,'' என்றார்.

இதையடுத்து, தலைமை நீதிபதி, 'சட்டம் அமலில் இருக்கும் போது, அதற்கு எதிராக எப்படி செயல்பட முடியும்' என, கேள்வி எழுப்பினார். அரசிடம் உரிய தகவல் பெற்று தெரிவிப்பதாக, அட்வகேட் ஜெனரல் கூறவே, விசாரணையை 4ம் தேதிக்கு, முதல் பெஞ்ச் தள்ளி வைத்தது.

முறையாக பெற்ற பட்டம் செல்லும்!

முறையாக பெற்ற பட்டம் செல்லும்!

Added : ஆக 03, 2021 20:53

சென்னை:'திறந்தநிலை பல்கலையில் முறையாக பட்டம் பெற்றால், அரசு வேலை வாய்ப்பு பெறலாம்' என, தமிழ்நாடு திறந்தநிலை பல்கலை தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

பல்கலையின் பதிவாளர் ரத்னகுமார் வெளியிட்ட செய்திக்குறிப்பு:பத்தாம் வகுப்பு, பிளஸ் 2 படித்த பின், தமிழ்நாடு திறந்தநிலை பல்கலையில் இருந்து, முறையாக பட்டப்படிப்பை முடித்தால், அது மற்ற பல்கலைகளின் பட்டப்படிப்பு போல செல்லத்தக்கது.தமிழ்நாடு அரசு பணியாளர் தேர்வாணையத்தின் வழியே, அரசு வேலையும் பெற முடியும்.இதை, திறந்தநிலை பல்கலையில் பட்டம் படிக்க விரும்பும் மாணவர்கள், தெளிவாக தெரிந்து கொள்ள வேண்டும். இவ்வாறு அதில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Bank corrects job ad omitting 2021 batch

Bank corrects job ad omitting 2021 batch

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Madurai:  04.08.2021

Sharp criticism of an ad which forbade graduates who passed out this year from a job as sales officer at HDFC Bank in Madurai forced the bank to withdraw it terming it a `typo`. The bank corrected the slip on Tuesday by opening up the jobs for all graduates.

An advertisement by the bank published in a Tamil daily said “2021 passed out candidates are not eligible”. The interview was to be held on Tuesday at the HDFC Bank branch opposite Fatima College on the Dindigul Road for sales officer roles in Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar. A senior manager at the bank told TOI that it was a typographical error, wherein the word ‘also’ was replaced by ‘not’ in the first advertisement. “It was corrected and fresh ad was published on Tuesday that “2021 passed out candidates are also eligible for the interview,” she said.

“This is a typo and we regret the error. Graduates can apply irrespective of the year of passing as long as they meet the age criteria. We have already issued the correct advertisement,” a spokesperson of the bank told TOI. Around 200 candidates attended the interview on Tuesday including those who graduated this year, he added.

Courts can’t redact name of acquitted: HC

Courts can’t redact name of acquitted: HC

K.Kaushik@timesgroup.com

Madurai:  04.08.2021

Madras high court on Tuesday observed that our criminal justice system is yet to reach such standards wherein courts can venture to pass orders for redaction of name of an accused on certain objective criteria prescribed by rules or regulations. Saying so, the court dismissed a plea moved by a man seeking to redact his name from a judgment of the court which acquitted him from a criminal case.

Justice N Anand Venkatesh observed, “This court must take judicial notice of the fact that the criminal justice system that is prevalent in this country is far from satisfactory. In various cases involving heinous crimes, this court helplessly passes orders and judgments of acquittal due to slipshod investigation, dishonest witnesses and lack of an effective witness protection system.”

The court came to the prima facie conclusion that an accused person is entitled to have his name redacted from judgments or orders and more particularly the ones that are available in the public domain and which are accessible through search engines. However, the judge said that on deeper review, he has taken cognizance of the fact that it is not as simple and straight as it sounded. There may be ramifications if such a generalised order is passed and directions are issued.

During the course of deliberation, the court’s attention was drawn to various foreign judgments and relevant regulations and enactments of various countries which specifically provide for expunction, expungement, redaction or destruction of criminal records. “No such rule or regulation exists in India for the present. In the absence of any statutory backing this court cannot undertake the exercise of issuing directions when no judicially manageable standards exist in the first place. There must be a proper policy formulated in this regard by means of specific rules. In other words, some basic criteria or parameters must be fixed, failing which such an exercise will lead to utter confusion,” observed the judge.

SC says guv can free life convicts before 14 years in jail, not states

SC says guv can free life convicts before 14 years in jail, not states

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:  4.8.2021

In a contrasting interpretation of powers for premature release of lifers, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said state governments have no power under the criminal procedure code to release a person sentenced to life imprisonment prior to he/she undergoing a minimum 14 years jail term.

However, the governor using his powers under Article 161 of the Constitution can remit the sentence of a lifer even prior to serving 14 years in prison, said a bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and A S Bopanna. The bench immediately clarified that the governor could exercise his remission powers under Article 161 only on the aid and advice of the council of ministers headed by the chief minister.

‘Guv bound to act on aid and advice of state govt’

This leads to the conclusion that the state government, if it wants to remit the sentence of a lifer after he serves a jail term of 14 years, would take resort to Section 432 of the CrPC, but if it wants to release the lifer prior to serving the 14 year period in jail, then it would use the remission powers conferred on the governor by advising him accordingly.

Writing the judgment, Justice Gupta said, “the power to release a prisoner after serving 14 years of actual imprisonment is vested with the state government. On the other hand, the power conferred on the governor, though exercised on the aid and advice of the state, is without any restriction of the actual period of imprisonment undergone by the prisoner.

“Thus, if a prisoner has undergone more than 14 years of actual imprisonment, the state government, as an appropriate government, is competent to pass an order of premature release, but if the prisoner has not undergone 14 years or more of actual imprisonment, the governor has a power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites and remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person de hors the restrictions imposed under Section 433-A of the Constitution. Such power is in exercise of the power of the sovereign, though the governor is bound to act on the aid and advice of the state government,” the bench said.

Not 27%, reserve 50% med seats for OBCs in AIQ: HC to Centre

Not 27%, reserve 50% med seats for OBCs in AIQ: HC to Centre

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:4.8.2021

The Madras high court on Tuesday said that both the high court and the Supreme Court orders made it clear that reservation provided by Tamil Nadu (50%) for OBCs must be applied in the All India Quota (AIQ) seats surrendered by it for admission to medical courses and it cannot be 27% as provided in the central law.

A clarification to this effect was made by the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P D Audikesavalu on Tuesday while hearing a contempt of court plea moved by the DMK against the Centre for failing to implement the court’s ruling on the quota issue.

On Tuesday, additionalsolicitor general R Shankaranarayanan said the Centre had decided to provide 27% reservation to OBCs in AIQ seats surrendered by the state and 10% EWS reservation to those not covered under any existing reservation.

Opposing it, senior advocate P Wilson for the DMK contended that the court’s order dated July 27, 2020, unequivocally accepted that reservation in terms of the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services under the State) Act, 1993 would be applicable for the AIQ seats. This would mean that 50% reservation must be provided to OBCs in AIQ seats as followed by the state and not 27%, he argued.

Court adjourns hearing to Aug 9 for Centre to respond

Recording the same, the court pointed out that even the Supreme Court in its order had observed: “It is no doubt true that the high court accepted the submissions of the appellants that the 1993 Act can be made applicable to AIQ seats...”

Opposing the same, the additional solicitor general said, “even the high court judgment noticed that AIQ seats were a separate class which would not be governed by the principle of domicile and, accordingly, a committee was constituted by this court, which was approved by the Supreme Court, to ascertain the extent of reservation that would be desirable in the AIQ seats.”

To this, the bench said, “prima facie, such submission militates against the purpose indicated in both the high court and the Supreme Court orders for constituting the committee.”

Both orders indicated that the committee would work out the modalities of implementation of the reservation for OBC candidates to AIQ seats in this state. If it is a question of implementation, the committee was not tasked with the duty of ascertaining the extent of reservation or the inter se allocation thereof between groups, the court added.

The bench then adjourned the hearing to August 9 for the Centre to respond.

... Even the high court judgment noticed that AIQ seats were a separate class which would not be governed by the principle of domicile and, accordingly, a committee was constituted by this court, which was approved by the Supreme Court, to ascertain the extent of reservation that would be desirable in the AIQ seats

R SHANKARANARAYANAN

Additional solicitor general

‘Proposed rules could prolong PG evaluation’

MEDICOS RAISE VOICE

‘Proposed rules could prolong PG evaluation’

Will Be More Awkward, Say Medical Experts

Bharat.Yagnik@timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad:4.8.2021

The draft Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations 2021 could well make the evaluation process for PG studies awkward, besides leading to a month-long delay in announcement of the exam results, feel experts in the education sector.

Experts in the education sector say that by the present evaluation process, where four valuators are roped in for every field of postgraduate (PG) and PG super-specialty courses in medical studies, takes about 15-20 days before declaring the results.

The draft proposed by National Medical Commission aims to change the evaluation process, that could lead to a delay of one month in announcing the results, said an Ahmedabad-based expert in the medical education field. According to the existing system, two of the four evaluators are to be from within Gujarat while the remaining two are to be from other Indian states, they said. There are four exam papers for PG medical and PG super specialty courses.

“All the answer scripts shall be subjected to two evaluations by the concerned university. The average of the total marks awarded by the two evaluators for the paper, rounded off to the nearest value, shall be considered for computation of the results,” according to clause18.2 of the draft.

All the answer scripts, where the difference between two evaluations is 15% and more of the total marks prescribed for the paper, shall be subjected to a third evaluation, it proposes.

“The draft further proposes that the average of the best two total marks, awarded by the three evaluators for the paper, rounded off to the nearest value, shall be considered for final computation of the results. This makes the entire process very clumsy and will lead to a delay in the announcement of results,” said an academician.

After the computation and declaration of the results, under no circumstances is revaluation permitted by any authority, the draft states. All health universities/institutions imparting postgraduate courses shall develop a platform for bar-coded digital evaluation, it further states. Experts said if implemented, the rules may lead to 30% decline in PG medical seats in Gujarat. About 2,000 PG medical and PG super-specialty seats in the state could be affected by the new set of rules, said sources.

நரம்பியல் டாக்டர் கொலை வழக்கில் நாளை தீர்ப்பு

நரம்பியல் டாக்டர் கொலை வழக்கில் நாளை தீர்ப்பு

Added : ஆக 02, 2021 23:53

சென்னை : டாக்டர் சுப்பையா கொலை வழக்கில், நாளை தீர்ப்பு கூறப்படுகிறது.கடந்த 2013 செப்., 14ல், சென்னை ஆர்.ஏ.,புரத்தில், நரம்பியல் டாக்டர் சுப்பையா, கூலிப்படையினரால் தாக்கப்பட்டு சிகிச்சை பலனின்றி இறந்தார். இந்த வழக்கில், 10 பேர் கைது செய்யப்பட்டனர்.

சென்னை முதலாவது கூடுதல் அமர்வு நீதிமன்றத்தில், 2015 முதல் இந்த வழக்கு விசாரணை நடந்து வருகிறது. அனைத்து தரப்பு வாதங்களும் முடிந்த நிலையில், ஆகஸ்ட் 2ல் தீர்ப்பு வழங்கப்படும் என, சென்னை முதலாவது கூடுதல் அமர்வு நீதிமன்ற நீதிபதி அல்லி அறிவித்திருந்தார்.இதன்படி தீர்ப்புக்காக, நேற்று அந்த வழக்கு பட்டியலிடப்பட்டது. அப்போது குற்றம் சாட்டப்பட்ட ஒன்பது பேரில், ஆசிரியர் பொன்னுசாமி, அவரது மனைவி மேரி புஷ்பம் ஆகியோர் ஆஜராகவில்லை.அவர்கள் தரப்பில் ஆஜரான வழக்கறிஞர், 'உடல்நிலை சரியில்லாத காரணத்தால், இருவரும் ஆஜராக முடியவில்லை' என தெரிவித்தார்.இதையடுத்து தீர்ப்பை நாளை தள்ளிவைத்து, நீதிபதி அல்லி உத்தரவிட்டார்.

மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகள் கட்டுமானம் ஒரு மாதத்தில் முடிக்க உத்தரவு

மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகள் கட்டுமானம் ஒரு மாதத்தில் முடிக்க உத்தரவு

Added : ஆக 02, 2021 23:53

சென்னை, : முதலாம் ஆண்டு மாணவர் சேர்க்கையை நடத்தும் வகையில், புதிய மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகளின் கட்டுமான பணிகளை விரைந்து முடிக்க அரசு உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

தமிழகத்தில் திருவள்ளூர், செங்கல்பட்டு, கள்ளக்குறிச்சி, திண்டுக்கல், ராமநாதபுரம், நீலகிரி, விருதுநகர், நாமக்கல், திருப்பூர், கிருஷ்ணகிரி, அரியலுார் ஆகிய, 11 மாவட்டங்களில், புதிதாக அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரி மற்றும் மருத்துவமனைகள் அமைக்க, மத்திய அரசு அனுமதி வழங்கி உள்ளது. இதற்கான கட்டுமான பணிகளை மேற்கொள்ள, முந்தைய அ.தி.மு.க., ஆட்சியில், 1,200 கோடி ரூபாய் ஒதுக்கப்பட்டு பணிகள் துவங்கின. இந்த மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகள் வாயிலாக, எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., படிப்பில் புதிதாக, 1,650 இடங்கள் அனுமதிக்கப்படும் .

புதிய மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகளில், நடப்பு கல்வியாண்டில் மாணவர் சேர்க்கையை நடத்த, உயர்நீதிமன்ற மதுரை கிளை உத்தரவு பிறப்பித்துள்ளது. தற்போது, 11 மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகளில், 80 சதவீத கட்டுமான பணிகள் முடிந்துள்ளன. மின்சாரம், குடிநீர் உள்ளிட்ட பல்வேறு வசதிகள் ஏற்படுத்த வேண்டியுள்ளது.உயர் நீதிமன்ற உத்தரவை தொடர்ந்து, புதிய மருத்துவ கல்லுாரிகளில், முதலாம் ஆண்டு மாணவர் சேர்க்கைக்கு தேவையான பணிகளுக்கு மட்டும் முக்கியத்துவம் அளித்து, இம்மாத இறுதிக்குள் விரைந்து முடிக்க அரசு உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

இதையடுத்து, வகுப்பறைகள், ஆய்வகங்கள், மாணவர் விடுதிகள் உள்ளிட்டவற்றை தயார் படுத்தும் பணிகளில், ஒப்பந்த நிறுவனங்கள் கவனம் செலுத்த துவங்கி உள்ளன.

1-month-old operated on to remove twin from his tummy

1-month-old operated on to remove twin from his tummy

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai:3.8.2021

City doctors have successfully operated on a baby boy who was born with his own ‘twin’ inside his abdomen — a rare condition called ‘fetus-in-fetu’. It is estimated to occur in one of 5 lakh live births.

Doctors suspected something unusual when they picked up, what they thought to be a cyst, in the baby’s abdomen during a routine ultrasound of the mother in the fifth month of pregnancy. Two months later, when the mother presented for a follow-up scan in the seventh month of pregnancy, it was clear that the mass was not a cyst. The scan found bones and viscera, suggestive of the body parts of the foetus that was inside the abdomen of the healthy foetus.

The couple in their thirties, who did not wish to be identified, said they were advised to carry on with the pregnancy by the doctors at the suburban maternity hospital they were consulting. “We were anxious, but the doctors told us that any intervention has to be done only after the baby is born,” the father told TOI.

He said that the pregnancy was continued to term, and the baby was born without any complications. The couple consulted multiple doctors who recommended removal of the ‘dead twin’.

They approached the Narayana Health’s SRCC Children’s Hospital after the baby was a month old. Doctors found the dead twin inside an amniotic sac located in the upper part of the newborn’s tummy, displacing vital structures.

“Incidence of fetus-in-fetu is extremely rare. Due to lack of adequate blood supply and nourishment one fetus doesn’t survive. A challenge in such cases is to remove the baby with the amniotic sac intact,” said Dr Sarita Bhagwat, senior paediatric surgeon who led the operation. “The dead foetus had underdeveloped vertebrae, femur and humerus (bone in upper arm) and two limb bones, which we could remove completely,” said the surgeon. The healthy baby was recently discharged from the hospital.

Delhi, 12 other states see a rise in weekly Covid cases

Delhi, 12 other states see a rise in weekly Covid cases

Amit.Bhattacharya@timesgroup.com

3.8.2021

It is not just Kerala and its neighbouring states where Covid-19 infections have been rising over the past few days. As many as 13 states recorded an increase in cases last week, apart from Tamil Nadu which saw no change, although absolute numbers remained low at most places.

The hill states of north India saw the maximum rise in fresh cases during the week ended Sunday (July 26-August 1) as compared with the previous seven days. Himachal Pradesh registered a surge of 64%, the highest in the country, with cases rising from 670 in the previous week to 1,100. Uttarakhand logged a 61% increase in infections, although numbers in the state were still quite low — 437 last week as compared with 272 in the preceding period. J&K logged a surge of 26%.

Delhi, where weekly cases had dropped to this year’s lowest count of 381 in the week before last, saw a 15% rise in infections.

The city recorded 440 fresh cases last week. Neighbouring Haryana too registered a minor rise of 2%.

While in absolute numbers these spikes were largely marginal, what’s significant is that all these states had been registering a fall in infections till the week before last.

In total numbers, Kerala’s weekly surge was by far the highest. The state logged nearly 1.4 lakh fresh cases, 20,000 more than the count in the previous week, translating to a 27% spurt in infections. Karnataka’s weekly total was 12,442, a 17% rise from 10,610 cases recorded in the previous week.

Meanwhile, the surge in the northeast (minus Assam) slowed to 2%, from 16% in the previous week.

Significantly, worst-hit Maharashtra recorded an 11% drop in infections, the steepest percentage fall in six weeks. The state recorded 45,272 new infections during the week, down from 50,732 in the previous seven days.

Meanwhile, India recorded 29,853 fresh cases on Monday (with Delhi’s data yet to come in till midnight). The tally was lower than the number recorded last Monday (30,619) although Kerala’s cases remained relatively high at 13,984. Cases drop sharply every Monday due to lower testing and staff shortages over the weekend. There were 419 deaths reported during the day.

Covaxin batches rejected due to stability issues caused disruption in July supply

Covaxin supplies were disrupted in July as initial batches from Bharat Biotech’s new fermentation plant at Bengaluru faced some stability issues and were rejected for supply. The batches were not utilised. Stability studies on vaccines and various other pharmaceutical products are conducted to determine the storage period of intermediates and determine or modify the maximum shelf-life. Experts say it is a regular phenomenon when batches of drugs and vaccines fail to qualify stability test.

According to the source, disruption at Bharat Biotech’s plant assumed significance because it resulted in a slowdown in vaccination. However, there is no quality issue with the vaccine as such. “It is a new facility with large-scale fermentation plant. The trial batches were disrupted during standardisation process and therefore, the supply of Covaxin was less than expected. It has been sorted out now and supplies have also started. It will be full-scale very soon,” the official said. TNN

Surge in cases shows likely 3rd wave in Kerala: Experts

Surge in cases shows likely 3rd wave in Kerala: Experts

More Than 50% Of The State’s Population Still Susceptible

Preetu.Nair@timesgroup.com

Kochi:3.8.2021

The number of new Coronavirus cases in Kerala is surging once again, with epidemiologists and public health experts stating that this may be the beginning of the third Covid wave in the state.

Though the state government has not officially called it the third wave, experts said that Kerala, after being in a plateau phase in the second wave, is now seeing a surge with 20,000 to 22,000 cases reported per day in the past six days, with TPR above 12%. From June 4 to the last week of July, the state saw an average of 12,000-14,000 cases a day.

“The surge indicates that it may be the beginning of the third wave and we need to be careful now. We have a large susceptible population and the government needs to come up with a long-term strategy to deal with new Covid waves,” said public health expert and epidemiologist Dr Raman Kutty. Kerala now has 51% of the total Covid cases in the country and its seven-day average daily growth rate is 0.60%, while that of the country is 0.13%.

“It is the general principle of any viral infection that there may be multiple waves when we have a susceptible population. Kerala will also see many Covid waves before the cases actually start subsiding,” said Dr A Sukumaran, former state epidemiologist, who has come out of retirement to work at Covid control room at Wayanad.

Dr Sukumaran said that during the Spanish Flu, the cases started to subside only after four waves. “But in Covid, we may see more waves as there are mutations,” he said.

In India, so far, there have been two very distinct periods of surge, separated by a prolonged lull. But it has been a different story in Kerala. During the first wave, Kerala was in a plateau phase for a long period, and then there was a surge in Covid cases in April, indicating the beginning of the second wave. In the second wave too, the state was in plateau phase for more than seven weeks and now there is a surge.

Unlike the rest of the country, now Kerala’s Covid concerns are manifold too. More than 50% of the population is still susceptible and so far, only about 17% are fully vaccinated. In July, as per CSIR Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology’s (CSIRIGIB) Covid-19 genome surveillance, the most dominant virus in Kerala is the dangerous Delta variant (B.1.617.2), with 95% samples tested from the state showing presence of the variant. Added to this, any gene mutations in the virus needs to be identified immediately at the state level.

Health minister Veena George has acknowledged that the state has not come out of the second wave yet but will have to get prepared to meet the third wave now.

No Covaxin for 1st dose at govt vaccine centres

No Covaxin for 1st dose at govt vaccine centres

Bengaluru:3.8.2021

The administration of Covaxin for the first dose has been suspended temporarily at all government Covid-19 vaccination centres due to an overall shortage of vaccines, reports Sunitha Rao R.

Given the supply trickle, the state health and family welfare department decided to ensure that those due for the second dose be catered to first. A circular was issued by the state government on July 31 and it has come into effect from August 1. Many states have suspended giving Covaxin for the first dose since the last week of July due to shortage. “Currently, only second dose of Covaxin will be provided at government centres,” said Dr Arundhathi Chandrashekar, mission director, National health mission, Karnataka.

State has 22k doses of Covaxin at B’luru buffer storage facility

Administration of Covaxin as the first dose will resume as and when the supply situation stabilises, say authorities. Data from health and family welfare department shows about 6.1 lakh people took the first dose of Covaxin over four weeks ago and have not yet come forward to take the second dose so far. “We need to administer the second dose to all who are due,” said Chandrashekar.

The state currently has about 22,000 doses of Covaxin at its buffer storage facility in Bengaluru and another 1.5 lakh doses have been already supplied to all districts, including BBMP. The health department has directed authorities that the emphasis should be on giving existing Covaxin recipients the second shot and fully vaccinating them. It also said awareness should be created among recipients to turn up for the second shot as and when it becomes due, without delay.

Covaxin continues to be available for the first dose in private hospitals. The cost of one dose of Covaxin in private vaccination centres is Rs 1,410.

Covishield 1st dose available

Covishield continues to be available for the first dose at all government vaccination centres. The districts, however, have been directed to reserve a part their allocation exclusively for the second dose, reads the circular, a copy of which is with TOI.

On May 7, the health department had suspended the administration of first dose of both Covishield and Covaxin at government centres due to shortage of vaccines and said the entire supply would to be used for the second dose. By May-end, as supplies were streamlined, the department started administering both first and second doses.

“Between Covishield and Covaxin, many prefer Covaxin because both doses will get over in four weeks,” said a district health officer. “We do tell them that both vaccines are effective. But the spacing of 84 days between the two doses for Covishield is pushing many to take Covaxin.”

24 institutes declared fake by UGC: Govt

24 institutes declared fake by UGC: Govt

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:3.8.2021

Twenty-four “selfstyled” institutes have been declared as fake by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and two more have been found in violation of the norms. This was informed by Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan in response to a written question in Lok Sabha.

“Based on the complaints received from the students, parents, general public and also through electronic print media, UGC has declared 24 self-styled institutes as fake universities. Besides, two more institutes namely Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Lucknow, and Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM), Qutub Enclave, New Delhi are also found functioning in violation of the UGC Act, 1956. The matters of Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Lucknow and IIPM, New Delhi are sub-judice in the court,” he added.

Uttar Pradesh has the highest number (eight) of fake universities. Delhi has seven fake universities. Odisha and West Bengal have two such universities each. Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Puducherry and Maharashtra have one fake university each. Elaborating on the steps taken by the UGC against the fake or nonrecognised universities, Pradhan said, “The UGC issues public notices about the list of fake universities/institutes in national Hindi and English newspapers.”

55% of OBC posts in central univs vacant

55% of OBC posts in central univs vacant

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:3.8.2021

Over 55% of the sanctioned OBC posts in the 45 central universities and other technical and research organisations are lying vacant. This includes 89.8% of the OBC posts lying vacant in Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. The Union ministry of education (MoE) on Monday told the Lok Sabha that over 41% of the SC posts and 39% of the ST posts are also lying vacant in these institutions.

Replying to a written question on the total number of sanctioned and vacant posts in the reserved categories – SC, ST and OBC – in all central universities and research institutions, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan in a written response said being autonomous institutions, “the onus of filling up the vacant posts lies on Central Universities.” On the vacancies minister said: “Now, after implementation of ‘The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Act, 2019’, the OBC reservation has been implemented at all levels.

 Further, in June 2019 UGC has prepared the Guidelines for Recruitment of Faculty in Universities, Colleges and Institutions Deemed to be Universities outlining the selection procedure and the time frame for recruitment which has been circulated to all Universities to adhere to the guidelines. The UGC on July 31, 2019, August 7, 2019, September 5, 2019 and October 22, 2019 has again requested the universities to ensure that vacant positions in university as well as colleges affiliated to University are filled at the earliest.” As per the data provided by the ministry, as on April 1, 2021 the OBC vacancies are highest in central universities, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISERs) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) which is well above 50%.

Minorities panel headless for over a year

New Delhi:

The National Commission for Minorities has been without a chairman for over a year now and posts of five members are also lying vacant. The Delhi High Court had directed the Centre that all vacant positions must be filled up before July 31, but with the nominations yet to be made, the ministry of minority affairs (MoMA) has given no timeframe and said the “process is on”. Currently, the NCM has only one member, Atif Rasheed, who is the vice chairman.

The post of chairman fell vacant after former NCM chairmain Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi’s tenure ended in May, 2020. When TOI reached out to the ministry, sources attributed part of the delay to the pandemic which has been keeping the govenrment engaged since last year. The NCM chief is appointed from names recommended by the minority affairs ministry and requires the approval of the PMO. TNN

‘PG Medical Regulations 2021 may reduce Guj seats by 30%’

‘PG Medical Regulations 2021 may reduce Guj seats by 30%’

Experts Say Similar Situation Likely In Other States

Bharat.Yagnik@timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad:3.8.2021

The draft Postgraduate Medical Regulations, 2021 may lead to a sharp decline of more than 30% in PG medical seats in Gujarat, warned experts in the medical education field. A similar situation is likely to be created in other states of the country, they said.

“There are a total of 1,874 PG medical seats in the state. If the new rules that are proposed in the draft are implemented Gujarat will see a decline of about 600-700 seats,” said two experts in the know of the matter. The maximum intake of postgraduate students in specialities where units are prescribed shall not exceed three PG seats per unit per academic year, according to clause 16.2 in the draft regulations. Presently, there are six seats per unit per academic year.

“A unit consists of one professor, one assistant professor and an associate professor. While three seats are earmarked for the professor, two are for assistant professor and one seat is marked for one associate professor. There is a cap of six seats per unit. The proposed draft aims to change this by limiting the seats to three per unit,” said one of the two experts.

He said that at a time when the government is planning to increase the number of seats for PG medical students, the new set of rules could put the government’s ambitious plans off track.

“The institute can have any number of units to meet the needs of the workload. But only the minimum number of units required as per the Minimum Standard Requirements for annual MBBS admissions Regulations, 2020 of the NMC shall be taken into account to calculate the number of postgraduate seats to be sanctioned,” according to clause 16.6 of the draft. The draft also proposes to change the criteria for professors in three-year PG courses. This could further impact the student teacher ratio, said experts.

‘Draft could impact student-teacher ratio’

The draft also proposes to change the criteria for professors in three-year PG courses. This could further impact the student-teacher ratio, said experts. So far, assistant professors were required to have four year of work experience to qualify for the post of professors.

“The draft aims to change this to five years and also have two eligible research publications in the past three years as professor,” said an expert.

The draft has been opposed by many states who are of the view that if the proposal sees light of the day in its current form, the power of the state would be undermined.

The experts had red flagged a provision of the draft PG regulations aimed 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.

The maximum intake of postgraduate students in specialities where units are prescribed shall not exceed three PG seats per unit per academic year, according to clause 16.2 in the draft regulations. Presently, there are six seats per unit per academic year

Chitlapakkam locals add green to city’s landscape

Chitlapakkam locals add green to city’s landscape

Srikkanth.D@timesgroup.com

Chennai:3.8.2021

At a time whenGreater Chennai Corporation is inviting resident welfare associations to collaborate with it in increasing the city’s green cover, residents of Chitlapakkam, just outside the corporation limits, have taken it upon themselves to help increase lung space in their town panchayat limits.

Last weekend, residents organised a seedball-throwing party at Pachamalai hills near Tambaram to add more green to the city’s landscape.

“We had organized a similar event in September 2019 just before the monsoon. We sourced seed balls from an NGO and threw more than 3,000 seed balls at that time. Due to the onset of pandemic in early 2020, we were not able to continue the seedball-throwing event last year, but have resumed it this year,” said Sunil Jayaraman of Chitlapakkam Rising, a community movement.

The hill is a catchment area and source for the Chitlapakkam lake's rainwater. Considering the citizen movement in Chitlapakkam began with saving the waterbody, it has come as a natural extension to ensure that the catchment area is also well maintained.

“It is an important step for the survival of the lake which we have revived after a public movement,” said Sunil Jayaraman.

Last weekend, about 300 seedballs of native tree varieties such as Pungai and Poovarasu were thrown down the hill by volunteers.

For the seed-ball throwing event, more than 20 people, including kids, hiked the hills on Saturday and Sunday to participate in the event. Apart from increasing the urban lung space, the community movement also acts as a good physical exercise for kids and adults alike.

“While hiking down the hill, residents also collected plastic waste strewn along by visitors. The hill has a good view point and attracts a lot of visitors. But some of them leave behind plastic water bottles and litter which can be avoided,” said a resident.

Apart from this, as part of the ‘Green Chitlapakkam’ initiative, residents have, over the years, planted more than 1,000 saplings in town panchayats, including three urban forests, using the Miyawaki method.

“Now, another set of 100 saplings is ready and will be planted in the next three months,” Sunil said.

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.”