FCRA violations: MHA suspends NGO’s foreign funding licence

FCRA violations: MHA suspends NGO’s foreign funding licence

Bharti.Jain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:03.09.2021

The home ministry has suspended the foreign funding licence of a prominent Kerala-based NGO linked to influential Sunni leader from the state, Sheikh Aboobacker Ahmed, over violation of provisions of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 and its rules.

The prime violations cited by MHA in its order suspending FCRA registration of Kozhikodebased Markazul Ighasathil Kairiyathil Hindiyya — which received nearly ₹147 crore from foreign sources between 2018-19 and 2020-21, with a huge chunk coming from charities in the Gulf — include misutilisation and diversion. These relate to purposes other than those declared, misrepresentation of facts and failure to submit annual FCRA returns for the year 2019-20.

Full report on www.toi-.in

JEE exam ‘fraud’: CBI files FIR against pvt institute

JEE exam ‘fraud’: CBI files FIR against pvt institute

Rajshekhar.Jha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:03.09.2021

CBI has filed an FIR against a private institute and its officials in connection with allegations of irregularities allegedly committed in the ongoing JEE (Mains) Exams 2021 and carried out searches on Thursday at a number of locations in various cities in connection with the alleged manipulation. Several persons are being questioned and multiple arrests are likely, officials said.

The directors and ofrficials of the institute, Affinity Education, were allegedly manipulating the online examination of JEE (Mains) and facilitating aspiring students to get admission in top NITs in consideration of huge amount by solving the question papers through remote access from a chosen examination centre in Sonepat, Haryana. It has been alleged that the accused used to obtain 10th and 12th marksheets, the user IDs, passwords, and postdated cheques of aspiring students in different parts of country as security and once admission was done, they used to collect heavy amount, ranging from ₹12-₹15 lakh from each such candidate.

Full report on www.toi.in

No bail for passport official

GRAFT CASE

No bail for passport official

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Madurai:03.09.2021

The Madras high court on Thursday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of a passport official who was booked by the CBI for issuing passports illegally to Sri Lankans after taking bribes from travel agents.

The court was hearing the anticipatory bail plea of Madurai regional passport office senior superintendent V Veeraputhiran, who has been accused of entering into criminal conspiracy to provide passports to Sri Lankans, who were ineligible for Indian passports, after taking bribe of 45,000 from travel agents, when he was deputed to the passport office in Tirunelveli district in 2019.

On August 18, the court had granted interim anticipatory bail to the petitioner for two weeks and directed him to cooperate with the inquiry. When the case was taken up for hearing on Thursday, assistant solicitor general L Victoria Gowri submitted that as per the conditions imposed by the court, the petitioner appeared before CBI from August 27. However, the petitioner had not cooperated for inquiry as directed by the court and had produced certain medical records about sustaining spine injuries.

Justice B Pugalendhi observed that the petitioner was instrumental in providing illegal passports to people who were not citizens of India, adding that custodial interrogation is warranted in this case to find out how many such passports were issued, while dismissing the petition.

Legislation to do away with NEET may not have legal sanctity

Legislation to do away with NEET may not have legal sanctity

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:3.09.2021

The TN government’s decision to pass a legislation to do away with National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and to provide for medical admissions based on marks obtained in the qualifying examination is based on suggestions from a committee led by chief secretary V Irai Anbu.

The legal validity of such legislation, however, is questionable given that the Supreme court had upheld the constitutional validity of uniform entrance examination both at the UG and PG level. It also requires the President’s assent.

A government policy note tabled in the assembly on Thursday said an official committee of secretaries led by the chief secretary was constituted to suggest appropriate measures to implement recommendations of a committee led by retired judge Justice A K Rajan on NEET. The Rajan committee submitted its report on July14.

The government said this would ensure social justice and protect all vulnerable student communities from being discriminated against in admission to medical education.

It is learned the CS-led committee comprising secretaries of health, school, higher education and law suggested the legal route after the Rajan committee reported the challenges faced by the rural students, those of whom studied in government schools, in Tamil medium of instruction. The Rajan committee found a sharp contrast in medical admission of rural and urban students besides repeaters gaining huge access to medical courses than first time applicants. “The fresh bill will be introduced either on Monday or Tuesday. The students will have to appear for NEET on September11 this year,” said a source.

As for the legal validity of the proposed bill, senior advocate K M Vijayan said, “As long as higher education is concerned, in the matters relating to determination of standards of higher education, the powers are vested with the Union government. The states cannot pass a law under Entry 25 of List III, subject to certain entries in List I. These areas are exclusive domains of Parliament.”

There were heated exchanges between the treasury and opposition over the conduct of NEET during the debate on demand for grants for the health and family welfare department in the assembly. While the UPA government introduced NEET, former chief M Karunanidhi strongly opposed it. The examination took place only when the AIADMK was in power, health minister Ma Subramanian said. He was reacting to AIADMK (Pappireddipatti) MLA A Govindasamy, who wondered whether the DMK regime was unwilling to give credit to EPS for 7.5% NEET quota for government school students given that the policy note cited only the recommendation of the commission led by retired judge Justice P Kalaiyarasan.

(With inputs from J Shanmugasundaram)

The legal validity of such legislation, is questionable given the SC had upheld the constitutional validity of uniform entrance exam both at UG and PG level

19 sacked staffers protest at Nimhans

19 sacked staffers protest at Nimhans

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:  02.09.2021

Alleging that their jobs were illegally terminated at Nimhans, 19 hospital assistants have been protesting on the hospital campus for the past two months. Sixteen of them are women. Nimhans, however, claimed they were from an outsourcing agency and were not employed by the hospital.

Nimhans Pragathipara Workers Union said hospital assistants employed in the radiology department had demanded a night drop in July since night curfew was in force and those on the second shift got off work only at 9.30pm. “The second shift was only till 7.30pm but it was extended to 9.30pm making it difficult for the women to get back home,” said M Basava Raj, general secretary of the union. “When they demanded a night drop, they were removed from work.”

The women have been demanding that they be reinstated. They stage a dharna every day, condemning the institute’s move which has cost them their jobs.

While the union claimed 19 women lost their jobs, Nimhans said 16 workers who were outsourced from an agency were protesting, and the hospital had nothing to do with it. “All the 16 workers belong to Vinayaka Enterprises, the outsourcing agency. None of these persons are employed by Nimhans and the institute does not have control over these workers,” the institute said in its release.

Raj, however, said: “The agency entered into a contract with Nimhans only in 2017, but 16 of the striking staffers were recruited long before that.”

NO WORK: Employees who were allegedly terminated from their jobs at Nimhans protest outside the hospital in Bengaluru on Wednesday

‘You can easily monitor blood pressure at home’

‘You can easily monitor blood pressure at home’

Dr Roopesh Singhal, MBBS, MD, DM, Cardiology, shares about things a patient should keep in mind while monitoring blood pressure at home, including position and time of measurement:

If you want to monitor your blood pressure regularly, you can easily do so at home using an automated or digital blood pressure machine. To accurately measure your blood pressure at home:

Place the cuff on your upper arm Relax your arm and place it on the arm of the chair or a table Press the button on the blood pressure machine to inflate the cuff and sit calmly without talking Jot down the result

TIPS FOR MEASURING YOUR RESTING BLOOD PRESSURE AT HOME:

Check the device’s accuracy. Before using a monitor for the first time, have your doctor check its accuracy against the office model

Don’t measure your blood pressure right after waking up

Avoid food, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol for 30 minutes before taking a measurement

Go to the bathroom beforehand, since a full bladder can elevate your blood pressure slightly

Before using the device, sit quietly for about 5 minutes in a comfortable position with your legs and ankles uncrossed and your back well-supported

Stay calm, avoid thinking about stressful things, and don’t talk to anyone while your blood pressure is being measured

Place the cuff on bare skin, not over clothing. Rolling up a sleeve until it tightens around the arm can result in an inaccurate reading

Wait for one to three minutes after the first reading, and then take another to check its accuracy

Contact no: 9099016535 Email : roopeshsinghal@gmail.com Address : The Heart Clinic, Akshat Multispeciality Hospital, 7th Floor, Medico house, Near Visat circle , Motera Ahmedabad- 380005 * Views expressed in the column are the sole responsibility of the expert

Dr Roopesh Singhal

Difficult to hold ’22 polls if EVMs not freed: EC

EVMs Locked As SC Extended Limitation Period To File Poll Petitions Due To Covid-19 Pandemic

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:02.09.2021

Uncertainty looms over next year's assembly elections in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur as the Election Commission moved the Supreme Court seeking timely release of EVMs and VVPATs used in state elections last year and this year, which are kept in safe custody in anticipation of filing of election petitions.

As per the statute, EVMs are to be kept untouched and safe for 45 days from the declaration of results, which is the time limit for a defeated candidate to file an election petition challenging the results. If no election petition is filed within the period of limitation (45 days), EVMs can be released for re-use in subsequent elections.

The problem faced by EC stems from an order of the Supreme Court which, keeping in mind the difficulties posed by the Covid pandemic, indefinitely extended the limitation period since the disease gripped the country from March last year.

This means, all election results declared within 45 days of the lockdown enforced in March last year due to the pandemic, would still be open for challenge by the defeated candidates. Thus, all the EVMs deployed for assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Delhi, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal could not be reused unless the SC fixed a specific time period for filing of election petitions concerning these polls.

Senior advocate Vikas Singh mentioned the EC's application before a bench headed by CJI N V Ramana and sought urgent an urgent hearing while conveying the anxiety of the poll panel about the uncertainty around next year’s state elections, given the fact that about 4.5 lakh EVMs, used in the assembly polls this year and last year, remain locked. The bench agreed to list the application as early as possible.

The EC, in its application filed through advocate Amit Sharma, said, "Every Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) used in an election and kept in the custody of the District Election Officer shall be kept untouched, under the standard protocol of security, tilt confirmation of election petition position from the high court concerned after the completion of the period for filing election petition, that is, 45 days from the declaration of the result."

"In the case of elections, where no election petitions have been filed or no other court cases are pending, after the aforesaid period of 45 days, EVMs may be used for any future election or any other purpose like movement, physical verification of EVMs. In case of any election where election petition has been filed, the following action shall be taken:- (i) If EVMs are the subject of the election petition, EVMs used at all polling stations in the constituency concerned shall continue to be kept in the safe custody of the District Election Officer, till such time the election petition is finally disposed of by the courts. (ii) If EVMs are not the subject of the election petition, an application may be moved to the court concerned for allowing EVMs concerned to be taken out of the strong room for any future election or any other purpose like movement, physical verification of EVMs etc," the EC said.

EC said for next year’s assembly elections in five states, 4.6 EVMs and 4 lakh VVPATs would be required. It said it has a stock of 1.4 lakh EVMs and one lakh VVPATs.

As per the statute, EVMs are to be kept safe for 45 days from the declaration of results, which is the time limit for a defeated candidate to file a petition challenging the results

Pandemic pushing more women into surrogacy

Pandemic pushing more women into surrogacy

Priyanka Chokhani TNN

02.09.2021

When the pandemic shut down their autoparts supply business in Maharashtra last year, Sheetal pawned her gold jewellery to repay debts. A lull in Covid-19 cases in the country brought the couple hope that income would pick up. Then, the second wave hit.

“This time, there was nothing left to sell or pawn,” said Rahul, Sheetal’s husband, who took up a job as a mechanic, but the pay was barely enough for their sustenance. Soon they were missing payments of their 8-year-old son’s school fees.

“We had heard about clinics where one could become a surrogate. We discussed it and Sheetal decided to become one. The money would keep us afloat until things get better,” said Rahul. His wife, 37, and three months pregnant, is currently a resident at Kiran Infertility Centre in Hyderabad.

Since the pandemic, the centre in Hyderabad has recorded “an exponential rise” in women approaching it to become egg donors or surrogates, according to Dr Samit Sekhar, executive director and embryologist at Kiran.

“Inquiries from women wanting to become surrogates have increased up to 10-fold during the pandemic. Earlier, we used to get two inquiries a day on average. Now we are getting up to 10 per day,” he told TOI.

Sekhar said that a survey of 100 women in the centre conducted last year had revealed that a majority of them had turned into donors or surrogates to make up for their husbands’ loss of income.

At the facility, surrogate mothers earn between 5 lakh to 6.5 lakh and stay at the clinic for the duration of their pregnancy so their health can be monitored and they can be provided a nutritional diet. To the couple seeking surrogacy services, the entire procedure can cost up to Rs 25 lakh.

In Gujarat, often referred to as India’s surrogacy capital, 29-year-old Chhaya has become a surrogate for the second time. The mother of two said her family fell on hard times after her husband lost his job as a waiter last year. “Agents who connect surrogates to clinics visit our area often and information on surrogacy is easily available. I have done this before so I knew what it would mean,” said Chhaya, who is five months pregnant and residing at Akanksha Hospital, one of the largest surrogacy centres in Anand.

(Names have been changed on request)

App & portal for OBC, EWS census in Chhattisgarh

App & portal for OBC, EWS census in Chhattisgarh

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Raipur:02.09.2021

Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday launched a mobile app and portal for the census of Other Backward Classes (OBC) and economically weaker sections of the society.

Baghel began the survey by registering his information on the app of Chhattisgarh Quantifiable Data Commission.

“The state government has taken several steps for the welfare of farmers, forest dwellers, labourers and landless people. OBC reservation was increased from 14% to 27% through an ordinance on September 4, 2019, and a provision of 10% reservation was made for economically weaker sections,” Baghel said.

The Quantifiable Data Commission was constituted when some people challenged this decision of state government in court and its implementation was stayed, said the CM.

UP cop who got gallantry medal caught taking bribe

UP cop who got gallantry medal caught taking bribe

Ishita.Mishr@timesgroup.com

Meerut: 02.09.2021

On Independence Day, inspector Vijenderpal Singh Rana turned up in his smartest uniform to receive UP police’s gallantry medal. Days later, on Wednesday, he was booked in his own thana, where he is posted as the SHO, for allegedly taking a bribe of ₹1 lakh to let off a man with a stolen truck.

A decorated officer, inspector Vijenderpal Rana was part of the police team — led by the then SP Ajay Sahni — that had shot dead Shiv Shakti Naidu, a dreaded gangster who had pulled off a sensational ₹8 crore heist in Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar in 2014. Kingpin of the notorious Naidu gang, he was killed on February 18 last year during an encounter. Sahni and Vijenderpal Rana were awarded the Police Gallantry Medal for the encounter on August 15. Vijenderpal Rana’s downhill slide from being a celebrated cop to an “absconding accused” was quick; it took him just 15 days.

3-member expert panel to look into flyover accident

3-member expert panel to look into flyover accident

Chennai:02.09.2021

The National Highways Authority of India has set up a three-member committee comprising experts from the National Institute of Technology, Trichy, the National Transport Planning and Research Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, and an independent expert to analyse the reasons for the accident at an under-construction flyover in Madurai that claimed the life of a guest worker.

The state government on Wednesday announced a solatium of ₹5 lakh to the family of N Akash Singh of Uttar Pradesh, who was killed in the accident on Saturday.

Three girders, each 35m long, under construction as part of four-laning of Madurai-Chettikulam section of NH-785, collapsed on Saturday. As per preliminary report, the accident was due to jack failure while fixing the bearing. The NHAI has appointed Alok Bhoumik, its advisor (technical), to assist the committee, an order said.

Responding to a special calling attention motion on the accident, state highways minister E V Velu said the negligence of the contractor was responsible for the accident that caused the death and injured another worker. “The Tallakulam police registered a case against the contract firm under Sections 287 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of the IPC,” the minister said. TNN

Teachers welcome students back to schools with sweets

Teachers welcome students back to schools with sweets

Elaborate Covid Protocols On The Campuses

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:02.09.2021

P Hari Priya from Nungambakkam was so eager to return to school that she came 15 minutes early. Seeing her friends after a long gap, she said they looked different – some had grown their hair, others had lost weight. They pulled each other’s leg, but didn't hug or shake hands. At the end of the first day, she could not catch up with her friends, as her class was split into two, and had little time to speak to them.

City schools registered 85% to 100% attendance as schools reopened on Wednesday after 5 months. Colleges recorded 60% to 70% attendance and expect numbers to rise. Schools and colleges made elaborate arrangements to follow social distancing on campus. Students were not allowed to mingle and only 20 students were allowed in a classroom. Shivani K P from Adyar said even the classroom and school environment looked so different after prolonged online classes. “Even our teachers were so happy to see us and conduct classes. I find I relate to topics better in offline classes compared to online classes,” she said.

Some teachers welcomed loons and banners. “After seeing empty grounds and classrooms for the last few months, we were so happy to have students on campus. All classrooms were decorated with welcome banners and balloons,” said R S Shanthi, a phys-Most of the schools conducted orientation and counselling on Wednesday.

Schools such as Bala Vidyamandir Senior Secondary School in Adyar have decided to record the physical classes for those who opt for online classes. "It will help both students who opt for online classes and students who attend physical classes. Students can view the recorded videos again if they have any doubts," said principal R Srinivasa Raghavan. The school recorded 90% attendance among Class X, XI and XII students on Wednesday.

Vidyodaya Girls Higher Secondary School in T Nagar recorded nearly 100% attendance among Class XII students. "Except for one student who is in post-Covid care, all 121 attended physical classes," said headmistress V Shanthi. The schools will conduct classes in hybrid mode for other classes. "We have called 50% of students from Class IX and X for physical classes on alternate days. The remaining students can view live the classes from their houses," she added.

Some principals who spoke on condition of anonymity said conducting physical and online classes simultaneously will be tough.

Many city colleges started classes on campus only with final year science students. Colleges such as Loyola and College of Engineering, Guindy, have organised vaccination camps on campus.

"Of 6000 students who are eligible for Covid-19 vaccine in our college, 23% are yet to get the jab. Greater Chennai Corporation will vaccinate them on Monday and Tuesday," said S Santhosh Baboo, principal of DG Vaishnav College.

Bumper-to-bumper insurance order put on hold by high court

Bumper-to-bumper insurance order put on hold by high court

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:02.09.2021

A Madras high court order making the fiveyear bumper-to-bumper insurance mandatory for all new vehicles from September 1, was put on hold by the court on Wednesday.

Justice S Vaidyanathan, who passed the order last week, kept it in abeyance after insurance companies filed a memo saying they needed at least three months to design a new insurance product as per the directions of the court.

Meanwhile, the joint transport commissioner, A A Muthu, had directed all Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across Tamil Nadu not to register any vehicles without bumper-to-bumper insurance coverage, as directed by the high court.

This uncertainty over the new insurance rule forced Tamil Nadu automobile dealers to put documentation works pertaining to vehicle registration on hold.

Automobile dealers and insurance companies wondered how the order could be implemented without consulting the Insurance Regulatory Authority of India (IRDAI), the government body which supervises the insurance sector.

"Since there was no clarity on how to finalise the insurance premium amount, we did not prepare any insurance certificates today (Wednesday). We will be meeting the state transport authorities and request them to reverse their earlier order" said S Rajvel, state chairperson of Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA).

"Usually, automobile dealers bring new vehicles to RTOs for registration only after preparing insurance certificates. It takes two or three days for them (from the date of invoice) to finish this insurance documentation. So, all new vehicles, which arrived today at RTOs, were sold to customers before the high court deadline of September 1. The new insurance rule was not applicable to any of these vehicles. Therefore, it was regular business at most city RTOs," said a Chennai RTO, requesting anonymity.

OPS’s wife passes away, Stalin, Sasikala express condolences

OPS’s wife passes away, Stalin, Sasikala express condolences

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai/Theni:  02.09.2021

P Vijayalakshmi, wife of AIADMK coordinator and former chief minister O Panneerselvam and mother of Theni MP O P Raveendranath Kumar, died at a hospital in Chennai on Wednesday morning. The 66-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest at the hospital ward and could not be revived, doctors said. She had been undergoing treatment at GEM Hospital for cardiac diseases.

“She was stable. She returned to her bed after relieving herself in the morning when she had an arrest,” said a senior doctor treating her. The mortal remains of Vijayalakshmi were brought to OPS’s house in Periyakulam in Theni district by road. The final rites will be performed on Thursday morning. Chief minister M K Stalin, ministers and DMK leaders were among those to visit the hospital and offer condolences.

Expelled AIADMK leader V K Sasikala caused a flutter when she arrived at the hospital to offer condolences, leaving behind their political rivalry that began in early 2017 when she wanted to become the CM by replacing him. It had resulted in OPS launching the ‘dharmayutham’ against her. OPS’s daughter K Kavitha Banu received her. Sasikala held Panneerselvam’s hands as he sobbed inconsolably.

GRIEVING: Chief minister M K Stalin offers his condolences to ex-CM O Panneerselvam

Grief unites political rivals

Sasikala spent nearly half an hour at the hospital in the presence of former AIADMK ministers and MLAs.

Governor Banwarilal Purohit, opposition leader and former CM Edappadi K Palaniswami, TNCC president K S Alagiri, MDMK general secretary Vaiko and Tamil Maanila Congress (M) president G K Vasan were among others who condoled the death of Vijayalakshmi. A BA graduate, she was among the four daughters and a son of Alagupandi Thevan and Valliammal, a farmer couple. A soft-spoken woman who married OPS on November 14, 1977 when he was AIADMK’s Periyakulam town secretary, she played the role of a supportive wife. Sources close to the family recalled that Vijayalakshmi was instrumental in maintaining a closely knit joint family of OPS, comprising his three younger brothers and as many sisters.

She took up the responsibility of the joint family which helped Panneerselvam scale the party ranks and become CM, deputy CM, finance minister and take up various other responsibilities. Vijayalakshmi preferred to prepare the favourite dishes of her husband herself and he enjoyed being served by her. The couple has two sons and a daughter, P Raveendranath Kumar, V P Jayapradeep and K Kavitha Banu.

Sasikala consoles O Panneerselvam on Wednesday

NHAI hikes fee by 4% to 10% at 21 TN toll plazas

NHAI hikes fee by 4% to 10% at 21 TN toll plazas

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:02.09.2021

The hike in user fee rate at 21 toll plazas in Tamil Nadu starting Wednesday could lead to rise in prices of essential commodities, say transporters, who opposed the fee hike amid the sharp spike in diesel prices.

While tolls in Chennai are being removed, road travel along southern and western districts of Tamil Nadu is set to be costlier with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) increasing toll fee by 4% to10 %.

At the 21 booths — majority of which are located on Chennai-Madurai (NH 45) and Chennai-Salem (NH 79) highway stretches — cars and trucks will have to cough up between ₹5 to ₹50 extra per trip.

The hike will also be implemented along Trichy-Dindigul-Karur bypass roads, Madurai-Thoothukudi highway and plazas in Dharmapuri and Namakkal districts.

C Dhanraj, secretary of State Lorry Owners’ Federation said, “We requested the Union government to stop toll collection at least for the next six months because of the loss incurred during the lockdown. They have once again failed us. (A hike of) ₹5 to ₹15 per trip may seem like a small amount, but (it is an additional) ₹12,000 every month (for Chennai-Salem trips) and much more for interstate commute”.

The state government too let transporters down by failing to reduce diesel prices, he said. Only petrol prices were reduced. So, a toll fee hike coupled with the increase in fuel rates has reduced the profit margin of truckers. Beyond a point, truckers will be forced to increase operating rates and subsequently, the public will suffer, Dhanraj added.

Wholesale traders from Chennai say the increase in transportation cost has had a cascading effect on wholesale price of vegetables, fruits and flowers in the city and fear that the situation may worsen in the coming days. Chennai largely depends on Oddanchatram, Pollachi markets in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala for supply of tomato, onion, brinjal, drumstick and ladies finger. Besides essential commodities, toll fees can also affect transportation of raw materials and finished products to and from industries across the state.

(A hike of) ₹5 to ₹15 per trip may seem like a small amount, but it is an additional ₹12,000 every month (for Chennai-Salem trips)

C DHANRAJ

Secretary, State Lorry Owners’ Federation

HC issues arrest warrant against absentee firm owners in tax case

HC issues arrest warrant against absentee firm owners in tax case

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:02.09.2021

The Madras high court issued non-bailable warrants against owners of two Chennai-based companies that imported earthmovers from China in 2008 but failed to pay entry tax for the vehicles.

Justice S M Subramaniam passed the interim order on Wednesday on pleas moved by Grandhe Construction Private Limited and Sri Murugan Earth Movers seeking exemption from entry tax for the imported vehicles.

When the cases, filed in 2008, were taken up for final hearing on August 17, counsel for the petitioner sought several adjournments to get instructions from the petitioners. They submitted that they have to secure instructions from the petitioners regarding payment of entry tax, as the issues were settled by the Supreme Court in 2018.

After granting several opportunities, the court finally took the matters for hearing on August 31.

Advocates representing the petitioners then informed the court that they had informed the petitioners about the hearing of the writ petitions before the court, but the petitioners failed to respond. The petitioners went to the extent of stating that they were not in a position to pay the entry tax, counsel informed the court.

Recording the submissions, Justice Subramaniam said: “In view of the stand taken by the petitioners and considering the submissions made by counsel for the petitioners, this court is inclined to issue nonbailable warrant to the petitioners, returnable on September 6.”

The court further directed the registry of the high court to communicate the order to the Chennai commissioner of police for execution through the jurisdictional police.

Revenue Offices Most Notorious For Demanding Bribes: Survey

‘93% had to pay bribe for govt service’

Revenue Offices Most Notorious For Demanding Bribes: Survey

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:02.09.2021

Nearly 93% of participants of an online survey said they were forced to pay a bribe either directly or indirectly to access a government service, while 48% said bribery was the biggest problem they faced when accessing such services. This was followed by long delays in service at 28.7%, revealed the survey.

Revenue and registration offices topped among departments where participants were forced to pay a bribe, followed by police and RTO, the survey showed.

The week-long survey involved more than 2,000 people and covered various issues regarding access to government services. More than 81% of participants said they were dissatisfied with the service provided of late. A total of 77.6% blamed the poor service on careless attitude of officials, their intent to seek bribes and no option to act against the officer. However, 83.6% preferred to file complaints over delays or rejection of services with an independent body rather than taking it up with the concerned department.

Arappor Iyakkam convenor Jayaram Venkatesan, whose anti-graft NGO conducted the survey, said 22% of participants were from Chennai.

At a press meet in the city on Wednesday, he told reporters that implementing Right to Service would ensure that services are provided within a stipulated time in a simple, easy and transparent manner and holding accountable the government officials dealing with the respective services. The NGO also released the ‘Tamil Nadu Right to Service Model Draft Bill, 2021’ and urged the state government to take action.

Pointing out that demanding bribe for services results in inordinate delay, he said, “If an application is rejected, it should clearly mention the reason for disposing of the petition such as what were the documents missing with the application.”

Moreover, the state government must constitute an independent body, Tamil Nadu Right to Service Commission, on the lines of the Tamil Nadu Information Commission to look into appeals on rejection of service or lack of response to applications for services.

The chief minister, leader of Opposition and Chief Justice of the Madras high court must be part of the panel to select the body’s chief commissioner, he added.

As per the NGO’s draft model, an applicant can file an appeal against the rejection of service or refusal to receive application or refusal to provide acknowledgement receipt. The appeal can be filed to the first appellate authority within 30 days. The appellant can track the status of the first appeal through the same online portal as that of the application using the same unique acknowledgement receipt number.

An appeal must be disposed of by the first appellate authority within 15 days of its receipt. The first appellate authority must provide a written communication of the order to the applicant and designated officer via post and the online portal.

The designated officer must provide the service within five working days of receipt of the order of first appellate authority, the draft said.

About 77% of participants blamed poor service on careless attitude of officials, their intent to seek bribes and no option to act against the official concerned

Properties can’t be attached by EOW: Spl court

Properties can’t be attached by EOW: Spl court

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:02.09.2021

Holding that the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Tamil Nadu police is not a competent authority to attach properties, a special court has directed the district revenue officer (DRO), Chennai to deal with property attachment and sell the property of a financial firm and return the amount back to depositors.

The case pertains to a citybased financial firm which collected ₹2.5 crore from 129 depositors and shut the firm in 2008.

The prosecution said Senthil Financial Services promised people of high interest. A case was registered by the EOW and during the course of investigation, the residence of one of the accused in Virugambakkam was attached by the government and another property was sold to a third party to prevent being attached. After perusing the submissions, the special court to deal with the TN Protection of Interests of Depositors Act cases held that in order to protect the welfare of the depositors, the DRO, Chennai shall sell the mentioned property through public auction and distribute the sale proceeds to the depositors.

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.