Checking fitness levels gets easier as app launched on Sports Day

Checking fitness levels gets easier as app launched on Sports Day

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:30.08.2021

Union minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday launched the Fit India Mobile Application at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on National Sports Day.

Accompanied by junior minister Nisith Pramanik, the two ministers also interacted virtually with the captain of the Indian hockey team, Manpreet Singh.

“The Fit India Mobile App brings ease of checking one's fitness levels right into the palm of every Indian. It has some unique features like ‘fitness score’, animated videos, activity trackers and ‘my plan’ catering to (an) individual's specific needs,” Thakur said, even as he demonstrated his own fitness with the help of a skipping rope before the audience that had gathered.

Thakur said PM Modi had launched age-appropriate fitness protocols last year, certified by WHO, and given a fitness mantra of ‘Fitness Ki Dose, Aadha Ghanta Roz’ to the people of the country.

Manpreet Singh lauded the app’s easy-to-use features and its utility in monitoring health parameters.

The apps allow individuals to check their fitness score based on a set of agespecific fitness tests and get specific recommendations on how to improve their fitness levels through physical activities including yoga protocols.

The app also has animated videos to take individuals through the fitness tests.

Thakur also congratulated para-athlete Vinod Kumar for winning a bronze medal in the discus throw event at the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics.

“This is turning out to be an epic National Sports Day ! #IND has won it's 3rd Medal at #Tokyo2020 #Paralympics. #VinodKumar delivered a winning throw !Well done & heartiest congratulations!!! Third place medal in Discus Throw F-52 Final event. New Asian Record at 19.91m,” he said on Twitter.

Youth affairs and sports minister Anurag Thakur at the launch of the FIT India app in Delhi on Sunday

Weekly cases at 2-mth high, Kerala accounts for 66%

Weekly cases at 2-mth high, Kerala accounts for 66%

Amit.Bhattacharya@timesgroup.com

30.08.2021

The sharp surge in Covid-19 infections in Kerala post Onam sent India’s cases in the week ending Sunday zooming to an eight-week high, with the southern state alone accounting for 66% of all cases in the country in this period.

India recorded more than 2.9 lakh fresh Covid cases in the week (August 23-29), a 32% jump from the tally in the preceding seven days. This was the highest number of weekly infections since the June 28-July 4 week when 3.05 lakh cases were recorded.

Kerala alone reported over 1.9 lakh cases, a massive 55% rise from the previous week’s tally of 1.25 lakh. This was the highest number of infections in the state in 14 weeks since May 16-23 and the highest in any Indian state in 13 weeks.

Not since the early days of the pandemic has any single state accounted for two-thirds of all Covid cases in the country in a week. That Kerala currently appears to be in a league of its own can be gauged from the fact that none of the state’s neighbours — Karnataka and Tamil Nadu — have reported any significant rise in numbers this week.

The only other large state where weekly Covid numbers seem to have risen is Maharashtra, which recorded a marginal increase of less than 1%.

Kerala, meanwhile, also became the second state in the country after Maharashtra to record more than 40 lakh Covid cases so far. Kerala crossed the grim milestone on Sunday, when the state recorded 29,836 new cases. Maharashtra's total caseload is over 64.5 lakh.

India recorded a 10.5% rise in deaths during the week. There were 3,439 fatalities in the period as opposed to 3,111 in the previous week.

Meanwhile, India logged more than 40,000 daily cases for the fifth straight day, with Sunday’s tally at 43,399 (with Jharkhand figures yet to arrive). The day saw 373 deaths while the number of active cases rose by around 7,000 to nearly 3.8 lakh. Of these, more than 2.1 lakh were in Kerala.

IS COVID GONE? A crowded market in Bengaluru on Sunday

4 held for thrashing scribes who exposed ‘illegal’ vaccination

Four persons were arrested on Sunday for allegedly thrashing journalists who had gone to cover ‘illegal’ vaccination of residents of Manpur village under Jaitpur police station area of UP’s Barabanki during the night time on Saturday. SP Barabanki Yamuna Prasad said an FIR had been registered in connection with the case.

First batch of Covaxin rolls out of Guj plant of Bharat Biotech

First batch of Covaxin rolls out of Guj plant of Bharat Biotech

Hyderabad:30.08.2021

In a move that will augment the supply of indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin, Bharat Biotech (BB) on Sunday announced the rollout of the first commercial batch of the vaccine from its Chiron Behring Vaccines facility at Ankleshwar in Gujarat, reports Swati Bharadwaj. Supplies from the Ankleshwar facility will start from September 2021.

The commercial Covaxin batches were launched by health minister Mansukh Mandaviya at the facility.

“A new filling facility, which was constructed during 2020 at Ankleshwar, is now being utilised for the production of Covaxin. Covaxin production had begun in early June, before which the team had executed engineering batches to study the equipment functionality at the facility,” BB said in a statement.

3rd wave could be less severe than 2nd one: ICMR’s Panda

3rd wave could be less severe than 2nd one: ICMR’s Panda

Nisha.Nambiar@timesgroup.com

Pune:30.08.2021

With recent projections that the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic could hit anytime between September and October, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) projects that it could be less severe than the recent second wave.

Dr Samiran Panda, head of ICMR’s Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases (ECD) division, said that nobody can predict the third wave for the whole country. “It will now make sense only if district or state-specific data are used for specific projections. The wave may rear its head only if states remove restrictions prematurely and there is a new transmission-efficient variant that could in turn cause a huge increase in caseload, or there is clear violation of Covid protocols at the population level,” Dr Panda said.

He further said the factors important for a wave are decline in natural or vaccine-induced immunity, emergence of a new, more virulent variant such as Delta, relaxations without Covid-appropriate behaviour or inadequate vaccine coverage. “Districts where the spread was low during the second wave might register an increase of cases this time, whereas districts that reported high infection rate may not witness high cases,” he said.

Non-technical courses in regional languages will benefit more students

Non-technical courses in regional languages will benefit more students

This change is required, as today about 10% of Indians can speak a reasonable level of English

c-Puniti.Pandey@timesgroup.com

30.08.2021

After announcing BTech courses in regional languages, the government has now decided to introduce several other non-technical courses in other Indian languages. The government will shortlist universities and institutes to offer Management, Philosophy and Hotel Management courses in regional languages.

Appreciating the move, Dheeraj Sharma, director, IIM Rohtak, says, “Teaching of Management courses in a regional language will allow better understanding of specific management concepts which may be contextually sensitive. Also, this will offer students superior understanding of curriculum, help them develop a positive attitude towards learning and enhance their self-esteem.

Explaining the need to introduce such regional programmes in Management and other courses, he adds, “Currently, only 10% of Indians can speak a reasonable level of English. Hence, we can see that there is a huge target audience who would wish to pursue Management education but the language barrier may be disadvantageous when they take an exam like CAT.”

He has already written a letter to the CAT coordinator last year and this year as well to offer a language option for CAT takers, says Sharma. Understanding the demand of Management education in small businesses and regional areas, IIM Rohtak introduced a Management Development Programme in Small Business Management that is to be imparted largely in Hindi language in 2021-22.

Learning in regional languages offers better learning outcomes, he adds. Non-possession of English language skills should not be a factor for the non-inclusion of talented and interested students from pursuing Management education.

Assenting to the decision, Vipin Aggarwal, principal, Sri Aurobindo College, University of Delhi, says, “Philosophy in regional languages will help students understand the subject better. The course structure usually includes Indian culture, values and behavioural patterns of the society. This curriculum will be understood better by students in their mother tongue or state language. Around 60% of students in the University are from remote states and are not proficient in English language. Philosophy in regional languages will help such students to perform better in their career.”

HEIs will be shortlisted to offer selected courses in state languages

Alternative career options if not MBBS, BDS

Alternative career options if not MBBS, BDS

Healthcare fields such as Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry can be considered

c-Puniti.Pandey@timesgroup.com

30.08.2021

Students largely opt for Biology in class XI with an aim to try their luck in MBBS. However, cracking the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for securing a seat in government medical colleges for MBBS is not a piece of cake. Also, the exorbitant fee structure of private medical colleges further restricts aspirants to look for other alternative careers in the field. The question then is what other options are available to such students?

“Besides MBBS and BDS, a student can look for alternative courses that include Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery, Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery, Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, etc,” says Gaurav Tyagi, founder of Career Xpert.

With a boom in the health and nutrition sector, an aspirant can also consider a career as a Nutritionist, he explains further. Other than this, students can also opt for Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, BSc Microbiology, Medical Transcription Course, BSc Cardiology/ BSc Cardiac Technology, BSc in Paramedical Technology, BSc Audiology/Bachelor in Audiology or Speech Therapy, BSc in Medical Imaging Technology, BSc Agricultural Science, Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences.

There are enough options available for medical aspirants to try their hands on. Students with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology background can apply to Life Sciences programmes such as Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine, explains Dr Prem Nair, dean, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. Further options are available in the fields of Pharmacy programmes such as BPharm, PharmD or BSc Allied Health Sciences programmes such as BSc Anaesthesia Technology, BSc Cardiovascular Technology, BSc Cardiac Perfusion Technology, Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology or B.ASLP, BSc in Respiratory Therapy, BSc Dialysis Therapy, BSc in Diabetes Science, Emergency Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology, BSc Operation Theatre Technology, Intensive Care Technology, BSc Echocardiology Technology, BSc Physician Assistant (PA), Neuro Electro Physiology, BSc Optometry, BSc in Medical Radiologic Technology etc,”

A PCMB student can look at inter-disciplinary fields in Biology such as Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, Genetic Engineering. The student can also opt for lesser known but rewarding careers in Pharmacy, Nursing, Clinical Psychology, Optometry, Radio Technology, Physiotherapy, Forensic Science, Medical Lab Technologist, etc, further explains Tyagi.

Explaining the various opportunities available for students who appear for NEET and get a fairly decent score, Dr Amit Gupta, professor, Department of Surgery, AIIMS Rishikesh, says, “Since last year NEET was conducted for shortlisting students only for MBBS and BDS. However, the government this year has introduced a change in the pattern. This year a uniform NEET will not only provide admission to MBBS and BDS but also other medical courses such as BSc in Nursing, Paramedical Sciences and Veterinary."

NEET UG 2021: All you need to know about new exam pattern

NEET DATE 12 SEPTEMBER

NEET UG 2021: All you need to know about new exam pattern

The medical entrance examination paper pattern has undergone a significant change for the first time since it was instituted, writes Amit Gupta

The National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (undergraduate), NEET UG, will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Sunday, September 12, 2021. It is a national-level exam meant for admission to MBBS, BDS, BSMS, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS and other undergraduate courses in medical and dental colleges across India. Students will need to take the test at the designated centers in person. The NEET UG question paper will comprise of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs). A total of four marks will be awarded for each correct answer and one mark will be deducted for each incorrect response. The NEET UG examination paper pattern has undergone significant change, for the first time since it was instituted.

Listed below are the changes that students need to be aware of before appearing for the exam:

 Question paper format: The paper will consist of 200 questions of which the candidate needs to attempt 180. As per the pattern, the paper will consist of the respective subjects i.e., Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology. It will be in MCQ format and each question will have four optional answers. Every correct answer carries four marks and every incorrect answer carries a negative marking of one and the exam duration will be for three hours.

Section-wise division:

 Each of the four subjects consists of two sections, A and B respectively. Section A consists of 35 compulsory questions. For section B, candidates will have an option to attempt any 10 questions among the given 15. In the light of the decision to reduce the syllabus by various boards, the NTA has decided to give choice in section B for all four subjects. If a candidate attempts more than ten questions for section B, only the first ten attempted questions will be evaluated. It is essential to exercise caution while attempting questions in Section B.

Increased language options: 

The medium or choice of languages has been increased from 11 to 13 this year, enabling more candidates to take the test in their regional languages. This year, the languages that candidates can choose from include: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. As the syllabus remains the same, the candidate should continue with the same study pattern he/she has been following and give equal importance to all the given topics of the respective subjects. Students must not change their study plan at this point as it is important to give equal importance to all the topics within the set syllabus. Keep in mind that NEET UG is a competitive examination with a limited number of available seats.

(The writer is a NEET UG educator at Unacademy)

Pay 8% less for new AC 3-tier economy tickets

Pay 8% less for new AC 3-tier economy tickets

New Delhi:29.08.2021

The railways has notified the tariff for its new airconditioned economy class, which will be at least 8% less than existing AC 3-tier tickets. These coaches will have 83 berths.

The newly-introduced 3AC Economy coach will be attached in all mail, express and superfast services, a railway ministry official said. So far, 50 such coaches have been handed over to different zonal railways.

In a statement, the ministry said the base fare of 3AC economy coach shall be 2.4 times of base fare of the existing Sleeper Class of mail and express trains. The base fares for the new class of coaches start from as less as Rs 440 per seat for a distance up to 300km. Based on distance of travel, these base fare go up to a maximum of Rs 3,065 for a 4,951-5,000-km journey. Other charges such as reservation fee, superfast surcharge, GST shall be levied separately. TNN

Govt staff unsatisfied with pay panel

Govt staff unsatisfied with pay panel

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chandigarh:29.08.2021

Even though the Punjab government has decided to hike the basic pay of the state government employees and pensioners by 15%, over and above the basic pay as on December 31, 2015, besides restoration of certain allowances, employees and pensioners are still not satisfied with the implementation of the sixth pay commission, as some of the issues still remain unaddressed.

Gurmail Singh Sidhu, state convenor of Sanjha Mulajam Manch Punjab, said the employees’ union is going to convene a meeting to discuss the shortcomings. He said the dearness allowance till December 31, 2015, was 119%. But out of this 119%, the state government has not yet taken any decision about releasing 6% of the dearness allowance.

The state government is mum on regularising the contractual and outsourced employees, implementation of the old pension scheme after January 2004 and ending of the probation period of new employees, he added. Sidhu also said the state government had stated that employees recruited after July 2020 will get the central pay commission.

Passengers bite TNSTC bus driver’s thumb, nabbed

Passengers bite TNSTC bus driver’s thumb, nabbed

A TNSTC bus driver’s refusal to stop the vehicle for two passengers almost cost him his thumb on Thursday noon. The ‘angry’ travellers were arrested on Friday

Published: 29th August 2021 05:27 AM |

By Express News Service

RAMANATHAPURAM: A TNSTC bus driver’s refusal to stop the vehicle for two passengers almost cost him his thumb on Thursday noon. The ‘angry’ travellers were arrested on Friday

According to police, 48-year-old R Thangam drives the TNSTC bus plying on the Tiruppur - Rameswaram route. When he was on duty, two passengers namely A Mari (31) and A Manikandan (28), both from Servaikarai, demanded to stop the vehicle at Servaikarai Oorani bus stop. Stating that the bus stop was not a permitted stoppage, the driver refused to hit the brakes, the police stated.

A verbal duel broke out among the two passengers and the driver. The two men allegedly bit the fingers of the driver. Thangam, who injured his right thumb, was admitted to Government Ramanathapuram District Headquarters Hospital.

போலிச் சான்றிதழ்; அதிகாரிகளை பணி நீக்கம் செய்க: போக்குவரத்துக் கழகத்துக்கு உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவுசென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம்:

போலிச் சான்றிதழ்; அதிகாரிகளை பணி நீக்கம் செய்க: போக்குவரத்துக் கழகத்துக்கு உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவுசென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம்: 

சென்னை

போலிச் சான்றிதழ்களை சரிபார்க்காமல் பணி நியமனம் வழங்கிய அதிகாரிகளுக்கு எதிராக நடவடிக்கை எடுத்து, பணி நீக்கம் செய்ய தமிழ்நாடு அரசு போக்குவரத்து கழகத்துக்கு சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

தமிழ்நாடு அரசு போக்குவரத்துக் கழக விழுப்புரம் மண்டலத்தில் ஓட்டுநராக பணியாற்றிய சீனிவாசன், போலி பள்ளி மாற்று சான்றிதழ் சமர்ப்பித்ததால், 2003-ம் ஆண்டு பணி நீக்கம் செய்து போக்குவரத்துக் கழகம் உத்தரவிட்டிருந்தது.

இந்த உத்தரவை வேலூர் தொழிலாளர் நல நீதிமன்றமும் உறுதி செய்தது. இந்த தீர்ப்பை எதிர்த்து, சீனிவாசன் சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றத்தில் வழக்கு தொடர்ந்தார்.

அந்த மனுவில், போலி சான்றிதழ் அளித்ததாக சொல்லப்படும் சிலர், சிறிய தண்டனைகளுடன் பணியில் தொடர அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள போது, தன்னை மட்டும் பணி நீக்கம் செய்து பாரபட்சம் காட்டப்பட்டுள்ளதாக தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

இந்த குற்றச்சாட்டுகளுக்கு போக்குவரத்துக் கழகம் தரப்பில் மறுப்பு தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டது.

இந்த வழக்கை இன்று (ஆக. 28) விசாரித்த நீதிபதி வைத்தியநாதன், மனுதாரர் போலி சான்றிதழ் சமர்ப்பித்தது ஆதாரங்கள் மூலம் நிரூபணமாகி உள்ளதால், அவருக்கு மீண்டும் பணி நியமணம் வழங்க வேண்டும் என்ற கோரிக்கையை ஏற்க முடியாது என்றும், அவரை பணி நீக்கம் செய்தது சரி என்றும் கூறி மனுவை தள்ளுபடி செய்து உத்தரவிட்டார்.

அதே சமயம், போலி சான்றிதழ் அளித்தவர்களுக்கு பணி நியமனம் வழங்கிய அதிகாரிகளுக்கு எதிராக ஒழுங்கு நடவடிக்கை எடுத்து அவர்களை பணி நீக்கம் செய்ய வேண்டும் எனவும் தமிழ்நாடு போக்குவரத்துக் கழகத்துக்கு உத்தரவிட்டார்.

பறக்கும் பாலம் கட்டுமானப் பணியில் பயிற்சி இல்லாமல் வெளிமாநிலத் தொழிலாளர்கள் ஈடுபடுத்தப்பட்டனரா?- விசாரணை நடத்தப்படும் என நிதியமைச்சர் உறுதி

பறக்கும் பாலம் கட்டுமானப் பணியில் பயிற்சி இல்லாமல் வெளிமாநிலத் தொழிலாளர்கள் ஈடுபடுத்தப்பட்டனரா?- விசாரணை நடத்தப்படும் என நிதியமைச்சர் உறுதி

மதுரை

‘‘போதுமான பயிற்சியே இல்லாமல் இதுபோன்ற ஆபத்தான சிரமமான பணியில் எப்படி எந்த திட்டத்தின் அடிப்படையில் ஈடுபடுத்தப்பட்டார்கள் என்பதை விசாரிக்க வேண்டும்.

மதுரை நத்தம் பறக்கும் பாலம் கட்டுமானப்பணியில் விபத்து நடந்த பகுதியை நிதி அமைச்சர் பிடிஆர்.பழனிவேல் தியாகராஜன், ஆட்சியர் அனீஸ் சேகர் மற்றும் அதிகாரிகளுடன் நேரில் சென்று பார்வையிட்டார்.

அவர் செய்தியாளர்களிடம் கூறுகையில், ‘‘மேம்பாலம் இடிந்து விழுந்துவிட்டதாகக் கூறுவது தவறு. கட்டுமானப்பணியின்போது எதிர்பாராத ஒரு செயல் நடந்துள்ளது. விபத்து நடந்த இடத்தில் ஹைட்ராலிக் ஜாக்கியை வைத்து காங்ன்க்கீரிட் கர்டரை தூன்கள் மீது தூக்கி வைக்க முயற்சி செய்தபோது ஜாக்கி பழுதடைந்துள்ளது. கான்க்கீரிட் கர்டரை சாதாரணமாக தூக்கி தூன்கள் மீது வைத்திட முடியாது. அதற்காகதான் ஹைட்ராலிக் ஜாக்கி பயன்படுத்தப்படுகிறது. போதிய பயிற்சி, நிபுணத்துவம் பெற்றவர்களைக் கொண்டு ஹைட்ராலிக் ஜாக்கி பயன்படுத்தப்பட்டதா, அது எதனால் பழுதடைந்தது, இந்த பணி பார்க்கும் தொழிலாளர்களுக்கு முறையாக பயிற்சி வழங்கப்பட்டதா? பராமரிப்பு குறைபாடா? என்பது உள்ளிட்ட பல கேள்விகள் இந்த விபத்தில் எழுகிறது. ஒப்பந்ததாரர்கள் வெளிமாநில தொழிலாளர்களை அழைத்து வந்து பணியில் ஈடுபடுத்தியுள்ளனர்.

உயிரிழந்த நபரின் வயது 24. அதனால், அவர் ஹைட்ராலிக் பணியில் நிபுணத்துவம் பெற்றிருக்க வாய்ப்பில்லை. அவர் போதுமான பயிற்சியே இல்லாமல் இதுபோன்ற ஆபத்தான சிரமமான பணியில் எப்படி எந்தத் திட்டத்தின் அடிப்படையில் ஈடுபடுத்தப்பட்டார்கள் என்பதை விசாரிக்க வேண்டும். இதுபோன்ற விபத்து மீண்டும் நடக்காமல் பார்க்க வேண்டும், ’’ என்றார்.

பால வேலை நிறுத்தம்: ஆட்சியர் உத்தரவு:

விபத்தை நேரில் பார்த்த மகேந்திரன் கூறுகையில், ‘‘ஒரு சொந்த வேலை விஷயமாக விபத்து நடந்த பகுதி அருகே நின்று கொண்டிருந்தேன். திடீரென்று வெடிகுண்டு வெடித்தது போன்ற பயங்கர சத்தத்துடன் பாலம் சரிந்து கீழே விழுந்து கொண்டிருந்தது.அடுத்தடுத்து அனைத்து பாலப்பகுதிகளும் இடிந்து விழுந்துவிடுமோ என்ற அச்சம் ஏற்பட்டது. அதனால், பதட்டமடைந்த மக்கள் அங்கிருந்து பாலம் இல்லாத பகுதிகளை நோக்கி ஓட்டம் பிடித்தனர். சுமார் 15 நிமிடங்கள் விபத்து நடந்த பகுதியில் அருகே செல்ல மக்கள் தயங்கினர். கட்டுமானப்பணி சரியான கண்காணிப்பு இல்லாமல் அலட்சியமாகவே நடந்தது. தற்போது நடந்தவிபத்து ஒரு உதாரணம்தான். அதனால், கட்டுமானப்பணி முடிந்த பாலத்தின் அனைத்து பகுதிகளையும் தொழில்நுட்ப வல்லுநர்களை கொண்டு தர ஆய்வுக்கு உட்படுத்த வேண்டும், ’’ என்றனர்.

தங்க கணேஷ் கூறுகையில், ‘‘மேம்பாலம் பணி கடந்த 2 மாதமாக சுத்தமாக நடக்கவில்லை. குறைந்த பணியாளர்களை கொண்டு பணி செய்தனர். மக்களும், வாகன ஓட்டிகளும், நத்தம் சாலையில் செல்லும் போது நரக வேதனையை அனுபவித்து வந்தோம். எதிர்கால பயனுக்காக அதனை சகித்து கொண்டோம். ஆனால், இப்போது கட்டும்போதே பாலம் இடிந்து விழுவதை பார்த்தால் எப்படி அதில் பயணம் செய்ய முடியும் என்ற அச்சத்தை ஏற்படுத்துகிறது. உரிய விசாரணை நடத்தி பாலம் தரமானதா? இல்லையா? அல்லது தொழில்நுட்பக் கோளாறா? என்பதை தெளிவுப்படுத்த வேண்டும், ’’ என்றார்.

நெடுஞ்சாலைத்துறை ஆணைய அதிகாரிகள் கூறுகையில், ‘‘பாலம் தரமாக கட்டப்படுகிறது. தூன்கள் மீது காங்கீரிட் கர்டரை தூக்கு நிறுத்தும்போது ஏற்பட்ட தொழில்நுட்ப கோளாறு காரணமாக அது சரிந்து கீழே விழுந்தது. பராமரிப்பை வைத்துதான் பாலத்தின் ஆயுட் காலம் நிர்ணயிக்கப்படுகிறது. இந்த பாலம் சர்வதேச தொழில்நுடப்பத்தில் கட்டப்படுவதால் அதன் தரத்தின் சந்தேகம் தேவையில்லை, ’’ என்றனர்.

பாலம் விபத்தால் ஆட்சியர் அனீஸ் சேகர், தற்காலிகமாக பாலம் கட்டுமானப்பணியை நிறுத்த உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளார்.

முழுவிசாரணை தேவை: எம்.பி.

விபத்தை நேரில் பார்வையிட்ட சு.வெங்கடேசன் எம்.பி. கூறுகையில், ‘‘நத்தம் சாலை மேம்பால கட்டுமான பணியின் போது ஏற்பட்ட விபத்தில் ஒருவர் இறந்துள்ள செய்தி மிகவும் துயரமானது. இதிலே இரண்டு விஷயங்களை கவனப்படுத்த வேண்டும் என்று நினைக்கிறேன். ஒன்று, இந்த வேலை நடந்து கொண்டு இருந்த பொழுது இரண்டு பேர் மட்டுமே பணியில் இருந்ததாக அதிகாரிகள் கூறுகிறார்கள். இவ்வளவு பெரிய பணியில் இரண்டு பேர் மட்டுமே இருந்ததாக கூறுவது சந்தேகத்தை எழுப்புகிறது. மிகக்குறைந்த தொழிலாளர்களை ஈடுபத்தியது தான் விபத்துக்கு காரணமா? என்ற கேள்வி எழுகிறது. இரண்டாவது, தொழிலாளர்களின் பாதுகாப்பு தொடர்பான விதிமுறைகள் முறையாக பின்பற்றப்பட்டனவா? என்ற கேள்வியும் எழுகிறது. இவைகள் குறித்தும், விபத்தின் முழுத்தன்மை குறித்தும் மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர் முழு விசாரணை மேற்றகொள்ள வேண்டும் என்று கேட்டுக்கொள்கிறேன், ’’ என்றார்.

தொடர்ந்து 3 நாட்கள் விடுமுறை சொந்த ஊர்களுக்கு மக்கள் பயணம்: 300 சிறப்பு பேருந்துகள் இயக்கம்

தொடர்ந்து 3 நாட்கள் விடுமுறை சொந்த ஊர்களுக்கு மக்கள் பயணம்: 300 சிறப்பு பேருந்துகள் இயக்கம்

சென்னை

தொடர்ந்து 3 நாட்கள் விடுமுறை வருவதால், சென்னையில் இருந்துமக்கள் நேற்று சொந்த ஊர்களுக்கு புறப்பட்டுச் சென்றனர். பயணிகளின் வசதிக்காக சென்னையில் இருந்து 300-க்கும் மேற்பட்ட சிறப்பு பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்பட்டன.

சனி, ஞாயிறு மற்றும் கிருஷ்ண ஜெயந்தி (திங்கள்) என தொடர்ந்து 3 நாட்கள் விடுமுறை வருகிறது. இதனால், சென்னையில் இருந்துஆயிரக்கணக்கான மக்கள் நேற்றுமாலை முதல் சொந்த ஊர்களுக்கு புறப்பட்டுச் சென்றனர். கோயம்பேடு பேருந்து நிலையம், சென்ட்ரல், எழும்பூர் ரயில் நிலையங்களில் கூட்டம் அதிகமாக இருந்தது. பயணிகளின் வசதிக்காக கோயம்பேடு, தாம்பரம் பேருந்து நிலையங்களில் இருந்து வழக்கமாக இயக்கப்படும் பேருந்துகளோடு சிறப்பு பேருந்துகளும் கூடுதலாக இயக்கப்பட்டன. அதேபோல் ஆம்னி பேருந்து நிலையங்களில் இருந்தும் வழக்கத்தைவிட கூடுதல் பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்பட்டன.

இதுதொடர்பாக அரசு போக்குவரத்துக் கழக உயர் அதிகாரிகள் கூறும்போது, ‘‘தொடர் விடுமுறையால் நேற்று மாலை முதல் பயணிகளின் வருகைக்கு ஏற்ப சிறப்பு பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்பட்டன. கோயம்பேட்டில் இருந்து பல்வேறுஊர்களுக்கு 300-க்கும் மேற்பட்டசிறப்பு பேருந்துகளை இயக்கினோம். விடுமுறை முடிந்து மக்கள்சென்னைக்கு திரும்ப வசதியாக போதிய அளவில் சிறப்பு பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்படும்’’ என்றனர்.

வீட்டு உரிமையாளர்கள் வாடகைதாரர்களின் விவரத்தை அக். 26-க்குள் தெரிவிக்க வேண்டும்: காவல் ஆணையர் உத்தரவு

வீட்டு உரிமையாளர்கள் வாடகைதாரர்களின் விவரத்தை அக். 26-க்குள் தெரிவிக்க வேண்டும்: காவல் ஆணையர் உத்தரவு

சென்னை

The Hindu Tamil

சென்னையில் வீட்டு உரிமையாளர்கள் வாடகைதாரர்களின் விவரத்தை அக்டோபர் 26-ம் தேதிக்குள் தாங்கள் வசிக்கும் எல்லைக்குள் உள்ள காவல் நிலையத்தில் தெரிவிக்க வேண்டும் என காவல் ஆணையர் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளார்.

பொது மக்களின் பாதுகாப்பை உறுதி செய்ய அரசு மற்றும் காவல்துறை சார்பில் பல்வேறு தொடர் நடவடிக்கைகள் மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டு வருகின்றன. அதன் ஒரு பகுதியாக பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் குற்றத் தடுப்பு நடவடிக்கையாக மத்திய உள்துறை அமைச்சகத்தின் உத்தரவின்பேரில், வீட்டு உரிமையாளர்கள், தங்களது வீட்டில் வாடகைக்கு குடியிருப்போரின் விவரங்களை காவல் நிலையங்களில் தெரியப்படுத்த வேண்டும் என்ற உத்தரவு ஏற்கெனவே அமலில் உள்ளது.

இந்நிலையில் சென்னையில் உள்ள வீட்டு உரிமையாளர்கள் தங்கள் வீட்டில் வாடகைக்கு வசிப்போரின் விவரங்களை வரும் அக். 26-ம்தேதிக்குள் சம்பந்தப்பட்ட காவல்நிலையத்தில் சமர்ப்பிக்க வேண்டும்என காவல் ஆணையர் சங்கர் ஜிவால் நேற்று உத்தரவு பிறப்பித்துள்ளார்.

'டூப்ளிகேட்' ரேஷன் கார்டு; தொடர்கிறது தாமதம்

DINAMALAR

'டூப்ளிகேட்' ரேஷன் கார்டு; தொடர்கிறது தாமதம்

Added : ஆக 29, 2021 00:22

சென்னை-ரேஷன் கார்டு தொலைத்தவர்களுக்கு, 'டூப்ளிகேட்' கார்டு வழங்க, அதிகாரிகள் தாமதம் செய்வதாக புகார் எழுந்துள்ளது.

ரேஷன் கார்டை தொலைத்தவர்கள், டூப்ளிகேட் கார்டுக்கு, www.tnpds.gov.in என்ற, பொது வினியோக திட்ட இணையதளத்தில் விண்ணப்பிக்க வேண்டும்.அதாவது, இணையதள பக்கத்தில், 'நகல் குடும்ப அட்டை' என்ற பகுதியில் விண்ணப்பிக்க வேண்டும். அதை, உணவு வழங்கல் துறை உதவி ஆணையர்கள் அல்லது வட்ட வழங்கல் அதிகாரிகள் சரிபார்த்து, ஒப்புதல் தருவர்.பின், கார்டு அச்சிடப்பட்டு தயாரானதும், சம்பந்தப்பட்ட அலுவலகத்தில் வழங்கப்படும்; அதற்கு, 20 ரூபாய் கட்டணம். ஊரடங்கு, சட்டசபை தேர்தல் உள்ளிட்ட காரணங்களால், டூப்ளிகேட் கார்டு வழங்குவது நிறுத்தப்பட்டது.

தற்போதும் அந்த கார்டை வழங்க, அதிகாரிகள் தாமதம் செய்வதாக புகார் எழுந்துள்ளது.எனவே, டூப்ளிகேட் கார்டை விரைந்து வழங்க, உணவுத்துறை நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும் என்ற எதிர்பார்ப்பு, பயனாளிகளிடம் எழுந்துள்ளது.

அரசு அலுவலர்களுக்கு 'கம்ப்யூட்டர்'பயிற்சி சான்றிதழ் கட்டாயம்

DINAMALAR

அரசு அலுவலர்களுக்கு 'கம்ப்யூட்டர்'பயிற்சி சான்றிதழ் கட்டாயம்

Added : ஆக 29, 2021 02:25

பெங்களூரு : அரசு அலுவலர்கள் அனைவரும் அடிப்படை கம்ப்யூட்டர் பயிற்சி சான்றிதழ் பெறுவதற்கு, 2022 வரை மாநில அரசு அவகாசம் அளித்துள்ளது.வளர்ந்து வரும் தொழில்நுட்பத்தால், அனைத்து துறைகளும் டிஜிட்டல் மயமாக்கப்பட்டு வருகின்றன. இதனால், துறை அலுவலர்களும் தங்களை மேம்படுத்தி கொள்ள வேண்டிய அவசியம் உள்ளது.

இதை கருத்தில் கொண்டு, கர்நாடக மாநில அரசு உத்தரவு பிறப்பித்துள்ளது. மாநில அரசு துறை அலுவலர்கள் அனைவரும், அடிப்படை கம்ப்யூட்டர் சான்றிதழ் பெற்றிருக்க வேண்டுமென உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.மாநில அரசின் அறிவிப்பில் கூறியிருப்பதாவது:மாநில அரசு துறை அலுவலர்கள், கர்நாடாக மாநில எலக்ட்ரானிக்ஸ் மேம்பாட்டு கழகத்தில், கம்ப்யூட்டர் பயிற்சி பெற்று, அதற்கான சான்றிதழ் பெறவேண்டும். சான்றிதழ் பெறுவதற்கான கால அவகாசம், 2022 மார்ச் 22 வரை வழங்கப்படுகிறது. அடிப்படை கம்ப்யூட்டர் பயிற்சி பெறுவது கட்டாயம் மட்டுமின்றி, அடுத்தடுத்த நிலைக்கான பதவி உயர்வுகளுக்கும், பயிற்சி சான்றிதழ் கணக்கிடப்படுகிறது.கால அவகாசத்திற்குள் பயிற்சி முடிக்காதோருக்கு எந்தவித பதவி உயர்வுகளும் வழங்கப்பட மாட்டாது.

இவ்வாறு குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.கர்நாடகாவில், 2012ல் இதற்கான பொதுசட்டம் ஏற்கனவே செயல்படுத்தப்பட்டது. ஆனால், சட்டத்தை செயல்படுத்துவதற்கு 2017 வரை எந்த வழிகாட்டுதல்களும் வழங்கப்படவில்லை.அதன்பின், பயிற்சியை முடிக்க காலக்கெடு நீடிக்கப்பட்டு வந்தது. தற்போது இந்த அறிவிப்பு பல அலுவலர்களையும், பயிற்சி பெறும் கட்டாயத்தை ஏற்படுத்திஉள்ளது.அடிப்படையான பயிற்சிகளை அனைவரும் அறிந்திருந்தாலும், பயிற்சிக்கான சான்றிதழ் பெற வேண்டும் என்பதால், அலுவலர்கள் தேர்வுக்கு தயாராக வேண்டிய கட்டாயம் ஏற்பட்டுஉள்ளது.

சென்னை-- லண்டனில் இருந்து சென்னை விமான நிலையத்திற்கு, வரும் 31ம் தேதி முதல், பிரிட்டிஷ் ஏர்வேஸ் நிறுவனம் தன் விமான சேவையை மீண்டும் துவக்குவதாக அறிவித்துள்ளது.

DINAMALAR

சென்னை-- லண்டனில் இருந்து சென்னை விமான நிலையத்திற்கு, வரும் 31ம் தேதி முதல், பிரிட்டிஷ் ஏர்வேஸ் நிறுவனம் தன் விமான சேவையை மீண்டும் துவக்குவதாக அறிவித்துள்ளது.

இது குறித்து, சென்னை விமான நிலையம் தன் டுவிட்டர் பக்கத்தில் வெளியிட்ட தகவல்:லண்டன் நாட்டின் ஹீத்ரோ விமான நிலையத்தில் இருந்து, சென்னை விமான நிலையத்திற்கு 31ம் தேதி, பிரிட்டிஷ் ஏர்வேஸ் நிறுவனம் தன் சேவையை மீண்டும் துவக்குகிறது.

இந்த விமானம், செப்., 1ல் சென்னை விமான நிலையம் வந்து சேரும்.இந்த விமான சேவை வாரத்தில் மூன்று நாட்கள் இருக்கும். லண்டனில் இருந்து சென்னைக்கு, ஞாயிறு, புதன் மற்றும் வெள்ளிக்கிழமைகளில் இயக்கப்படுகிறது. சென்னையில் இருந்து லண்டனுக்கு திங்கள், வியாழன் மற்றும் சனிக்கிழமைகளில் விமான சேவை உண்டு. இவ்வாறு அதில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

UoM withdraws circular on 6pm curfew

UoM withdraws circular on 6pm curfew

Mysuru:29.08.2021

Following widespread criticism, University of Mysore on Saturday withdrew its order asking women students not to venture out on campus unaccompanied after 6pm. “We have withdrawn the order,” registrar R Shivappa said. A fresh circular issued in its place appeals to students to be careful on campus. The bar on entry at Kukkarahalli Lake after 6.30pm continues.

“We issued the earlier order keeping in mind safety of students. Now we have withdrawn it,” the registrar said, adding security has been tightened around the lake in evenings. The varsity had issued the circular restricting movement of students following security concerns raised by authorities after the August 24 gang rape.

KPCC president DK Shivakumar urged removal of the registrar and said the governor must intervene. “It is the responsibility of police to provide security in public places. Such curbs are not justifiable,” he said. TNN

'Paid News Is One Of The Menaces Afflicting Our Media': Madras HC Directs Constitution Of Press Council Of Tamil Nadu Within 3 Months

'Paid News Is One Of The Menaces Afflicting Our Media': Madras HC Directs Constitution Of Press Council Of Tamil Nadu Within 3 Months: In a bid to clamp down on fake journalists, paid news and journalists who are indulging in illega

Join service or pay Rs 50 lakh: TN cracks whip on specialist doctors skipping bond service

Join service or pay Rs 50 lakh: TN cracks whip on specialist doctors skipping bond service: Chennai: Cracking a whip on specialist doctors for skipping bond service, Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Tamil Nadu has directed the deans of some government medical colleges in the state...

Advance booking for Diwali air travel higher this August

Advance booking for Diwali air travel higher this August

Manju.V@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:29.08.2021

For the second year in a row, advance purchase bookings of air tickets for travel during Diwali holidays have been sluggish. But when compared to last August, bookings are significantly higher this year. While fares to destinations like Delhi, Goa, Cochin for October and November travel are currently cheap, those to Srinagar, Leh, Varanasi and Patna have begun their annual winter climb.

“Pre-pandemic around this time, early birds would be booking holidays for next year, summer. Diwali holiday bookings would be full, air fares would be high,’’ said Veena Patil of Veena World. “This year, we’ve been getting enquiries and bookings for travel next week, next month but not beyond,’’ she said.

Airfares reflect this trend, though with exceptions. For travel in November, during Diwali holidays, fares on flights from Mumbai to leisure destinations like Dehradun, Srinagar and Leh and then to highdemand 'visiting family/ friends’ destinations like Varanasi and Patna have begun a northward climb. But those to Delhi, Cochin and even Goa are cheap. Said a low cost carrier official, “Airfares are typically capped for flights upto 30 days out. For cheaper fares, passengers have to book over a month before travel. For instance: Currently, Mumbai-Delhi cheapest return fare is Rs12,000 for September, but only Rs5,000 for October travel. In case of Diwali bookings, cheaper options may be available only with 45-60 days advance booking. The anxiety over Covid third wave has hit the pace of Diwali forward bookings.” Prahlad Krishnamurthi, chief business officer, Cleartrip, said forward booking trend was better than 2020, but significantly below 2019. “Bookings for travel in October-December this year are about 9% of overall bookings in August. This is higher than last year but lower than pre-Covid levels,” he said. In the last few weeks, consumers have been open to booking more than a month in advance and hence there’s a spike in October bookings, which is significantly higher than what was witnessed last year this time.

Sabina Chopra, co-founder, yatra.com, said bookings for October-November-December increased by more than 40% for leisure destinations. ``In comparison to 2020, there has been an increase in queries by 25-30% during this time of the year for winter travel as well. As for 2019, the year had a much more early stimulus for travel during October-November-December,’’ Chopra said.

MakeMyTrip data indicates a 5-time increase in travel bookings this August, compared to last year’s, said COO Vipul Prakash. “Compared to bookings in the same period last year, hotel bookings for stays more than two days increased by 20%; and family travel with more than two members witnessed growth by over seven times,’’ Prakash said, adding that bookings for travel during the festive dates are seeing a 35% jump.

1 Covaxin dose to survivor equals 2 doses to uninfected

1 Covaxin dose to survivor equals 2 doses to uninfected

Finds A Pilot Study By ICMR

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:29.08.2021

A single-dose of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin in people who had been infected with Covid-19 previously generates antibody response similar to that provided by two doses of the vaccine in those without any history of the infection, shows a pilot study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The findings are based on preliminary data and need to be confirmed with large-sized cohort studies, it said.

The study assumes significance because if ICMR can validate the initial findings through a large-scale study, it can be instrumental in expediting the coverage.

“This study offers evidence in support of public health-oriented and immunologically sustained vaccine strategies. If our preliminary findings are confirmed in large population studies, a single dose of BBV152 vaccine may be recommended to previously confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals so that the naïve individuals could attain the larger benefit of a limited vaccine supply,” says the short paper with the findings of the study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research.

However, the authors underlined that both vaccine doses would be ideal even for previously infected individuals in the long run due to the occurrence of variants of concern.

Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin is currently administered in a two-dose regimen with a gap of four to six weeks.

The ICMR study was undertaken to examine SARSCoV-2–specific antibody responses after day zero (baseline, before vaccination), Day 28 (month 1) and Day 56 post-first dose (month 2) of Covaxin in a group of healthcare professionals as well as front-line workers.

The antibody response of individuals with confirmed pre-vaccination SARSCoV-2 infection was compared with those individuals without prior evidence of infection.

A woman takes a selfie as a health worker administers a vaccine for Covid-19 at District Govt Women’s Hospital in Varanasi, on Saturday

Fully vaxxed desis can now fly to SL

Sri Lanka announced on Saturday that it was reopening its borders for India as it said fully vaccinated Indian travellers will only require a negative RT-PCR test, done 72 hours prior to arrival, and an on-arrival test at a certified hotel. Sri Lankan Airlines will operate four weekly flights to Chennai, three to Mumbai, and one to Bengaluru under its new schedule, and is likley to introduce “significant frequency enhancements”. TNN

Property tax pending? Corporation officials may slap a notice at the door

Property tax pending? Corporation officials may slap a notice at the door

Siddharth.Prabhakar@timesgroup.com

Chennai:29.08.2021

Commercial complexes and business establishments across the city who have not paid property tax dues for the past few years might wake up to Greater Chennai Corporation tax notices at their door.

Zonal level revenue officials of the civic body have started a drive to collect tax arrears from high-value defaulters, those who owe more than ₹50,000 and ₹1 lakh.

On Saturday, an office complex on Anna Salai was issued a notice to pay up tax arrears to the tune of ₹34.7 lakh. Similarly, a restaurant in T Nagar was also issued a notice to pay up arrears of several lakhs. The outlet was also sealed by officials.

In Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar zone, a mall was issued a notice to pay ₹1.2 crore a few days ago. It raised individual bills to 10 different commercial establishments inside the mall, officials said.

Officials have also been asked to tag along with their counterparts of Chennai Metrowater Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) and Tangedco and cut off water and electricity connections if the arrears are not paid.

Sources in the civic body said there are at least 500-600 who have a default of several lakhs. “We have been asked to collect arrears up to 2018. This is a routine process to shore up our tax revenue for the first of the half year,” said a couple of zonal level officials.

Sources said tax demand targeted for the first half of this financial year by GCC is around ₹650 crore including previous year arrears. “This is mainly because last year’s collection was extremely poor owing to the pandemic. Businesses were stressed and hence tax was not collected,” an official said.

In the 2020-21 financial year, GCC was able to collect only around ₹470 crore, half of their targeted demand. In comparison, this year GCC has already collected around ₹300 crore.

1 dies as part of a flyover under construction in Madurai crashes

1 dies as part of a flyover under construction in Madurai crashes

Kaushik Kannan & Sukshma Ramakrishnan TNN

Madurai:29.08.2021

A guest worker from Uttar Pradesh died when a concrete portion of the Madurai-–Natham flyover between two pillars at Bank Colony near Naganakulam Tank in Madurai crashed and plunged eight metres into the ground on Saturday evening. Officials said the accident happened due to a technical snag in the hydraulic jack when construction workers were lifting a girder (precast concrete block) between the pillars. The flyover is being constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

The incident happened around 4.30pm when workers were in the process of interlocking the Igirder on top of the flyover. Only two workers — Akash Singh and Saroj Kumar — were engaged in the task of handling the hydraulic jack and lift used for lifting the girder. Saroj Kumar was on the road operating the jack while Akash Singh was standing atop the concrete structure.

CRASH: A hydraulic jack malfunctioning has led to the collapse of a part of the Madurai-Natham flyover

No damage caused to the main flyover

There was an unexpected oil leak in the pipe connecting the hydraulic jack below and the lift on the top, resulting in inconsistency in the oil pressure in the machine. Soon, one side of the girder tilted and fell due to the imbalance, resulting in the huge structure coming crashing down. Akash’s hand got stuck in it and was severed as he also plunged down. He suffered multiple fractures and was rushed to Government Rajaji Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Saroj had a narrow escape as he managed to move away.

The portion that collapsed was part of the flyover’s arm connecting the service road. No damage was caused to the main flyover. Since vehicle movement where the accident took place was blocked with construction materials, there was no other incidents.

The 7.3-km-long flyover is part of the ₹1,200 crore Madurai-Natham four-lane highway which will reduce the distance between Madurai and Trichy and Chennai by 22 kms. Construction of the flyover at Rs 694crore began in November 2018 and was to be completed by November 2020 but the pandemic is among the reasons cited for the delay in completion. Finance minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan dismissed rumours that the bridge collapsed. “It is a workplace accident that unexpectedly took place at the construction site,” he told reporters and added that it was due to a broken hydraulic jack. Madurai city police commissioner Prem Anand Sinha said a case will be registered under section 304A of IPC for causing death due to negligence and they are investigating. “GMC has taken the contract. We are conducting inquiries with the immediate field supervisor and project manager,” he told TOI.

Mysuru rape: 5 arrested in TN by K’taka cops

Mysuru rape: 5 arrested in TN by K’taka cops

Mysuru:29.08.2021

A special investigation team of the Karnataka police on Saturday arrested five of the six suspects, including a juvenile, from Tamil Nadu in the alleged gang-rape of an MBA student from Mumbai at the Chamundi foothills in Mysuru on the night of August 24. A manhunt is on to nab the missing accused, reports Milton Lawrence.

“One of them claims he is 17 years old. We are verifying it,” Karnataka DGP Praveen Sood said. The DGP said the accused, all from Tirupur and Erode districts in Tamil Nadu, were engaged in carpentry and wiring and two of them were drivers. The drivers used to visit Mysuru frequently to transport vegetables and other commodities to the APMC Yard, and often brought along friends. They camped in open spaces during their stay in Mysuru.

Some of the rape accused were booked in theft cases in past: DGP

Sood said, “The accused were partying together when the crime was committed,” refusing to disclose their names since investigation is on.

The arrests come four days after the student was assaulted and her classmate was thrashed in Lalithadripura. Police said the accused followed the duo to the secluded stretch. Sood had been tasked by chief minister Basavaraj Bommai to oversee the probe. “After the Nirbhaya incident (2012), there is a direction from the court to try even 16-yearolds involved in heinous crimes in regular courts like adults,” the DGP said.

“It was not a pre-planned attack. On August 24, the accused, who were allegedly drunk, saw the couple go into the secluded area and followed them. They surrounded the couple and demanded ₹3 lakh from them. When they refused to pay, the men beat the young woman’s friend. The crime took place between 7pm and 8pm,” he added. Hospital sources said the rape survivor has been discharged and has proceeded to Mumbai.

Sood said the victim is in a state of shock and could not give a statement, her classmate gave some details though he was unconscious for some time during the crime.

“The special teams managed to arrest the five accused, mostly relying on technical and scientific evidence, which included a bus ticket and liquor bottles,” he said, lauding the force for cracking the case.

“Police have succeeded in cracking the case and have arrested five accused in less than four days. It has been a huge challenge for the police and the government... It shows the efficiency of Karnataka police,” chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said. Home minister Araga Jnanendra has announced a reward of ₹5 lakh for the investigating team.

The DGP said some of the accused have been previously booked in cases related to theft, among others, and it is not clear if they targeted other couples as well. “A lot of investigation needs to be done in the case. The police will file a chargesheet based on scientific and forensic evidence and we will request the high court to expedite the trial of the case and convict them at the earliest, on the lines of the Manipal and Nagarabhavi gang rape cases.”

Mysore univ withdraws 6pm curfew circular

Mysuru:

The University of Mysore (UoM) on Saturday withdrew its order restricting women students from venturing outside the varsity campus unaccompanied after 6pm, following widespread furore over the move. The circular had been issued in the wake of security concerns raised by authorities after six men gang-raped an MBA student and assaulted her male friend at Mysuru’s Chamundi foothills on August 24 night.

A fresh circular issued in its place appeals to students to be careful on campus while the bar on entry at Kukkarahalli Lake after 6.30pm remains. “We had issued the earlier order keeping in mind the safety of students. Now we have withdrawn it,” UoM registrar R Shivappa confirmed, adding that security has been tightened around the lake during evening hours. KPCC president DK Shivakumar demanded the immediate removal of the registrar. TNN

Just touching kid’s cheeks not sexual assault: Bombay HC

Just touching kid’s cheeks not sexual assault: Bombay HC

Rebecca.Samervel@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:29.08.2021

Observing that touching cheeks without a sexual intent would not attract the offence of “sexual assault” under the Pocso Act, the Bombay high court on Friday granted bail to a 46-year-old chicken seller who spent 13 months in jail.

The court said primary evaluation of the material on record does not suggest the accused touched the minor’s cheeks with a sexual intent. “In consideration of these facts, in my view, a case is made out for releasing the applicant on bail,” the court said. The high court, though, clarified that observations made “be construed as expression of opinion for the purpose of bail only and the same shall not in any way influence the trial in other proceedings”.

The accused was arrested in July 2020 after the eightyear-old girl’s mother lodged a complaint that the accused had touched her inappropriately when she went to his shop.

Bail pleas of the accused were earlier rejected by the trial court. Advocate Ram Prasad Gupta appeared for the accused and submitted that the accused was falsely implicated by the complainant over a business rivalry.

The defence said the accused was gainfully employed, had roots in society and had his family to look after.

“Thus, there arises no question of the applicant’s absconding and not available for trial,” Gupta submitted. It was also submitted that the offence is not punishable with death or life imprisonment. It said that maximum punishment provided for the alleged offence is seven years’ jail.

The FIR was lodged on July 29, 2020. It was alleged that at 1.30pm, the complainant, who lived in the neighbourhood, saw the accused signalling the girl to come to his shop. The girl went inside. It was alleged that after some time the accused came outside, looked around, went back in and pulled the shutter down.

It was further alleged that when with the help of another person, the shutter was opened, the accused was found behaving appropriately with the child.

The complainant took the child and parents to the police station and complained. After completion of the investigation, police filed a chargesheet.

HC says non-resistance at time of sexual assault amounts to pre-consent

HC says non-resistance at time of sexual assault amounts to pre-consent

K.Kaushik@timesgroup.com

Madurai:29.08.2021

Giving the benefit of doubt to a man who was convicted and sentenced in a sexual assault case, the Madras high court acquitted him, observing that the non-raising of resistance during the first time of sexual assault amounts to pre-consent and accordingly, the consent given by the woman cannot be held as a misconception of fact.

The man (appellant) from Madurai district allegedly sexually assaulted the woman from the same village and impreganted her. The Madurai mahila court in 2016 convicted and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment for offence under Section 376 (rape) of IPC.

The man had filed a criminal appeal before the HC Madurai bench in 2016 seeking to set aside the conviction and sentence. Justice R Pongiappan observed that the woman had specifically stated before the trial court that she fell in love with the appellant and regularly met him. The woman lodged a complaint about the sexual assault nearly after two and a half months, only when the man disowed his promise of marrying her.

The judge observed that the circumstances revealed the appellant had promised to marry her once after the completion of his brother's marriage. Only after this promise, the woman also continued her relationship with him. It was not found anywhere in the evidence that the appellant had given any definite date or any timeline to marry her.

The judge observed that eventually when she conceived, she insisted that the marriage should be performed soon and that is when the appellant suggested for abortion. Since the proposal was not accepted by the woman and the appellant disowned the promise, the case was registered.

Hence, the judge said this court has doubts as to whether the woman approached the police with the truth or with false averment. Observing that the accused is entitled to avail this benefit of doubt arising now, the judge set aside the conviction and sentence imposed by the trial court and acquitted him of all charges.

In 2016, the Madurai mahila court sentenced the man to 10 years jail for offence under IPC Section 376 (rape)

Deemed univs cut intake by 10% this yr, close some core courses Drop In No. Of Takers & Pandemic Reasons

Deemed univs cut intake by 10% this yr, close some core courses

Drop In No. Of Takers & Pandemic Reasons

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:29.08.2021

Deemed universities in Tamil Nadu have cut intake by 10% for 2021-22, compared to the previous year, due to the still raging Covid-19 pandemic, fewer admissions to core engineering branches and postgraduate courses. Sanctioned strength in 33 deemed universities in 2021-22 have come down to 49,197, from 54,573 seats in 2020-21, with 4,398 undergraduate (UG) seats and 978 postgraduate (PG) seats cut.

Deemed universities closed courses such as civil engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, electronics and instrumentation and architecture in the UG stream and shut down courses such as power electronics, automobile engineering, nano science and technology and VLSI design in the PG stream due to no takers.

Professors said the number of students joining from outside Tamil Nadu in these institutions had also reduced significantly which could have forced the managements to cut the intake.

“There is a decline in admissions to some programmes for all engineering institutions. For ranking and accreditation, the agencies consider only the intake for calculating faculty ratio and not the enrolled students. So, the deemed universities started to trim their intake to have better ranking and rating points,” said R W Alexander Jesudasan, pro-vice-chancellor of Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science in Chennai.

“Due to the uncertainty in view of Covid-19 pandemic, some students from outside the states prefer to join institutions closer to their residence. However, students from certain states are still showing interest and we expect the admission to be normal from next year,” he added.

S Vaidyasubramaniam, vice-chancellor of Thanjavurbased Sastra University, said institutions were reducing intake in core branches such as civil and mechanical engineering. “A majority of institutions also closed postgraduate branches which do not attract many students. However, the closure of core branches is not a good move,” he said.

He further urged the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to fix a cap on the maximum number of students who can be admitted in a course for all institutions to prevent the influx of computer science graduates after four or five years.

Career consultant Jayaprakash Gandhi said the institutes have reduced intake in core branches and integrated programmes due to fewer takers for these courses. “The Covid-19 pandemic is also one of the reasons for the cutting down of seats as the intake of hostel students has been coming down during the past two years,” he said.

Bench clerk’s son now on SC bench as judge

Bench clerk’s son now on SC bench as judge

28.08.2021

Justice C T Ravikumar, who was elevated to the Supreme Court from the Kerala HC, on Friday recalled how much he owed his parents, especially his father, who had been a bench clerk. Justice Ravikumar, who had been a judge of the high court since January 2009 and had practised as a lawyer in the HC since the late ’80s, became teary-eyed during his farewell speech when he remembered his late father K Devan. He also revealed that it was ex-CJI KG Balakrishnan who asked him to shift practice to Ernakulam from Mavelikkara.

உத்தர பிரதேச மாநிலத்தில் ஒரே குடும்பத்தைச் சேர்ந்த 23 பேர், அரசு ஊழியர்களாக பணியாற்றுகின்றனர்.

DINAMALAR

லக்னோ :உத்தர பிரதேச மாநிலத்தில் ஒரே குடும்பத்தைச் சேர்ந்த 23 பேர், அரசு ஊழியர்களாக பணியாற்றுகின்றனர். உ.பி.,யில் முதல்வர் யோகி ஆதித்யநாத் தலைமையில் பா.ஜ., ஆட்சி நடக்கிறது. இங்குள்ள ஜான்பூர் மாவட்டம் சிக்ரா கிராமத்தில் உள்ள ஒரு வீடு, 'கவர்மென்ட் கர்னா' அதாவது 'அரசு வீடு' என அழைக்கப்படுகிறது.

இந்தக் குடும்பத்தில் உள்ள 50 பேரில் 23 பேர் மத்திய மற்றும் மாநில அரசு ஊழியர்களாக இருப்பதே இதற்கு காரணம்.மறைந்த ராம்சரண் யாதவ் என்பவர் இந்தக் குடும்பத்தின் முன்னோடி. இவருக்கு புல்லர், ராம்துலார், சந்திரபாலி என்ற மூன்று மகன்கள். இந்த மூன்று பேரின் மனைவி, குழந்தைகள், பேரக்குழந்தைகள் என தற்போது மொத்தம் 50 பேர் ஒரே வீட்டில் கூட்டுக் குடும்பமாக வசிக்கின்றனர். இதில் தற்போது 23 பேர் மத்திய மற்றும் மாநில அரசின் பல்வேறு துறைகளில் பணியாற்றுகின்றனர். ஏற்கனவே இரண்டு பேர் அரசு ஊழியராக இருந்து ஓய்வு பெற்று விட்டனர்.

இதில் சிவசங்கர் யாதவ் என்பவர் இந்தக் குடும்பத்தின் விவசாய நிலங்களை கவனித்துக் கொள்கிறார். அவர் கூறியதாவது: ஆரம்பத்தில் எங்கள் குடும்பத்துக்கு விவசாய நிலம் கிடையாது. அதனால் என் தந்தை தான் முதன் முதலில் அரசுப் பணிக்கு சென்றார்.அரசு வேலை தேடும் இளைஞர்களுக்கு எங்கள் குடும்பம் முன்னுதாரமாகவும் வழிகாட்டியாகவும் இருக்கிறது. எங்கள் குடும்பத்தில் அடுத்தடுத்த தலைமுறையிலும் அரசு ஊழியர்கள் உருவாக்கப்படுவர்.இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

Mysuru varsity imposes 6pm curfew for girls

Mysuru varsity imposes 6pm curfew for girls

Bengaluru:28.08.2021

In a bizarre development, the Mysuru University banned the movement of girl students in the campus after 6.30 p.m. from Friday.

As the order issued by the Registrar, coming against the backdrop of gang rape incident in the city, evoked outrage, Vice Chancellor, Prof G. Hemantha Kumar, assured to rectify the order by Saturday.

The order said that the movement of girl students on the campus has been banned after 6.30 pm. They are also banned from sitting anywhere in the campus after the stipulated time. The direction has been issued after oral instructions of the police against the backdrop of the Mysuru gang rape.

The order also states that the entry of public to the famous Kukkarahalli lake premises, located adjacent to the varsity campus and frequented by nature lovers, will also be barred after 6.30 p.m. The university has also given directions to enhance patrolling and security systems in the campus. IANS

I-T raid: ₹350 crore black money found

I-T raid: ₹350 crore black money found

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Rajkot:28.08.2021

The investigation wing of the Income Tax department unearthed an unaccounted cash receipt of Rs 350 crore during its ongoing search operations at a Rajkot-based builder group’s premises. The operation had started on August 24 and is still continuing. According to a press statement issued by the department, I-T officials found many incriminating documents, loose sheets, and digital evidence indicating the involvement of the group in unaccounted transactions.

“Substantial evidence of transactions outside the regular books of accounts, unaccounted cash expenses, cash advances received and interest paid in cash, has been found. Evidence of on-money payments in real estate projects including flats, shops and land deals has also been found. Total unaccounted cash receipts in various projects of approximately Rs 350 crore have been unearthed, along with corroborative evidence. Further, evidence related to land purchase of approximately Rs 154 crore has also been found, of which Rs 144 crore was purportedly paid in cash,” an official said.

This group is among Gujarat’s prominent real estate builders and developers and is engaged in construction and land trading business in and around Rajkot. The I-T sleuths had covered more than 40 premises during the search operation including the group’s partners, contractors, key employees and some of its customers. According to officials, the search and seizure operation has resulted in detection of concealment of income in excess of Rs 300 crore spread over various assessment years and this figure is likely to go up. The officials seized unaccounted cash of Rs 6.4 crore and jewellery valued Rs 1.7 crore during1 search operation from various premises.