HC dismisses appeal seeking refund of discontinuation fees

HC dismisses appeal seeking refund of discontinuation fees

Sep 2, 2021, 04.59 AM IST

Madurai: Upholding the order of a single bench, the Madras high court has dismissed an appeal by a woman seeking to refund the discontinuation fees collected from her while she discontinued the super specialty course at Thanjavur Medical College.

The court was hearing an appeal filed by Priya Sreeraj. The appellant had completed MBBS in 2009 and subsequently completed her postgraduation in medicine in 2015. Following a notification published by the state government for admission as a non-service candidate for the super specialty course for the year 2016-17, the appellant applied for the same and was allotted the course at Thanjavur Medical College in 2016. A condition was incorporated in the prospectus to the effect that in case of discontinuance of any candidature in respect of the course, a fee of Rs 5 lakh should be paid. The appellant in August 2016 discontinued the course by paying the discontinuation fee.

The appellant filed a writ petition before HC Madurai bench in 2021 challenging the portion of the prospectus with respect to the discontinuation fee and also consequently sought to refund the fee paid by her. The single bench on March 21, dismissed her petition. A division bench of justices M Duraiswamy and K Murali Shankar observed that on a perusal of the materials available on record, it could be seen that the request for refund was rejected by the authorities in 2017, however, the appellant chose to file the writ petition only in 2021. 

It is a settled position that if a person is aggrieved over any order, the same should be challenged at the earliest point of time. 

The judges further observed that the appellant had knowledge about the condition imposed in the prospectus while joining the super speciality course. Having accepted the conditions, the appellant cannot turn around and subsequently, contend that the same cannot be applied to her case. The judges observed that the single bench, by taking into consideration all these aspects, has rightly dismissed the writ petition. “We do not find any ground to interfere with the order passed by the single bench,” said the judges while dismissing the appeal.

Doctor seeks refund of Discontinuation Fee paid for SS course: HC rejects plea

Doctor seeks refund of Discontinuation Fee paid for SS course: HC rejects plea: Madurai: The Chennai High Court recently dismissed an appeal of a doctor for reimbursement of discontinuation fee which she had paid when she discontinued from a super-speciality course at...

Madras HC seeks report from NMC, IPS over Queerphobia in MBBS course, directs curriculum update

Madras HC seeks report from NMC, IPS over Queerphobia in MBBS course, directs curriculum update: Chennai: Highlighting the need for revamping medical courses and make them up to date, Madras High Court has sought report from National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Indian Psychiatric Society...

Techie’s check-in baggage cut in flight from Kolkata

Techie’s check-in baggage cut in flight from Kolkata

Petlee.Peter@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:04.09.2021

A Bengaluru techie’s check-in luggage was cut open in a suspected theft attempt during his flight from Kolkata to Bengaluru last month. He lodged a complaint with the airline and Kolkata airport authority and a probe is under way.

Chandan Prakash, 35, employee of an American multinational retail chain in Bengaluru, flew to Kolkata on August 20 to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with his sister. He returned by IndiGo flight 6E 875 on August 22 and went to his HSR Layout residence from KIA.

“I landed on Sunday, collected my trolley bag and went home. When I opened it the next morning, I spotted an unusual tear inside the bag. Someone had cut the fabric from inside to access contents after opening the outer compartment,” Prakash said.

He emailed a complaint to the airline about a possible theft post check-in. He also shared his experience on social media with photographs and videos of his black bag.

IndiGo airlines replied that it couldn’t initiate action like compensation as he hadn’t lodged a complaint at the baggage delivering area on arrival. Prakash said: “The reply was ridiculous as there was no visible damage to my bag. Someone had opened the top pouch and cut through the inner fabric to access stuff inside. I didn’t lose anything valuable and I don’t need compensation but this must be probed and culprits brought to book.”

Some airlines have discontinued sealing outer compartments of check-in bags with plastic wire locks.

Theft bid may have occurred at Kolkata airport: Airline

Airline representatives investigated the matter and said the theft attempt may have taken place at Kolkata airport. Airport officials confirmed a probe is under way as some other passengers had complained of similar problems.

After Prakash’s complaints gained traction on social media, IndiGo approached him. “It sent me a new trolley bag and urged me to take down my social media post but I refused. I said I didn’t need compensation but closure. I’m glad an investigation is on,” he added.

IndiGo airlines told TOI Prakash has been suitably compensated and the incident is being probed.

Chandan Prakash, an HSR Layout resident, said when he opened the trolley bag the day after he landed in the city, he spotted an unusual tear inside. The airlines said he has been suitably compensated and the incident is being investigated

Pandemic Lesson for Scientists, Students: Be Honest

Pandemic Lesson for Scientists, Students: Be Honest

Research fraud, exam cheating are two worrying outcomes of science & education in Covid times

SK Sarin

04.09.2021

The Covid pandemic generated unprecedented scientific urgency to search for new treatments and vaccines, resulting in over 100,000 scientific publications in 2020, purportedly for rapid dissemination of knowledge and for abating human suffering.

In the race to be faster, scientific journals diluted their multilayer peer review criteria and slashed average turnaround time from 60 days, to sometimes less than a week. Inevitably, scientific misconduct and fraud happened.

HCQ, mask, ivermectin papers

Many such papers were retracted after publication. The most painful flameout was the Surgisphere scandal: Twin articles published in two of the world’s most prestigious medical journals, The Lancet and The New England Journal of Medicine, related to hydroxychloroquine and its cardiovascular side-effects.

In another instance, Annals of Internal Medicine backtracked on a highly-cited paper it published in April 2020, that asserted face masks were ineffective in preventing the spread of Covid. The article had included just four study subjects, but the misinformation led to careless exposure and infection in millions. Such publications demean the very foundations of science.

A flawed ivermectin preprint paper showed that this anti-parasite drug reduced Covid death rates by more than 90%. However, this July 14, the paper was withdrawn from the preprint server, ‘Research Square’, due to scientific dishonesty.

Revenues of pharma companies making ivermectin had swelled over months, and unsuspecting patients had paid for scientific misinformation.

Even Nobel-winners cheat

Frauds and misconduct have been common in the history of science. ‘Nobel prize winners’ are no exception. Frances Arnold of Caltech announced a retraction from Science last December and nearly half a dozen ‘Nobels’ had in the past accepted misconducts.

Scientific integrity is perhaps declining. But ethics are more essential than ever now. In pandemic times, we rapidly need new information, which should be unbiased and trustworthy. Moreover, there should be honest and prompt public admission of errors by the scientific community.

Covid is going to be with us. So science must regain its ethical centre. The pressure of incomplete enrolment of patients in clinical trials, lack of adequate consumables and kits for carrying out basic science experiments, research workers being away for months due to lockdown and above all, no money with funding agencies to support ongoing scientific projects, are reasons given for altering ‘facts and findings’.

Sponsors and funding agencies should help. Research funding and human resources need to be increased several fold without political meddling.US scientists recently requested President Joe Biden not to politicise research.

Dishonest students

There’s ‘academic dishonesty’, too. Unethical behaviour to gain an unfair academic advantage during online learning and assessments are common now – nearly 50% students in different parts of the world accept indulging in such dishonesty, with excuses such as: It’s not such a big deal, it’s not really cheating, it’s my teacher’s fault or everyone cheats.

Even good students get tempted due to the unstructured assessment system in a pandemic. Besides producing semi-educated and inappropriatelyskilled students, such conduct will have long-term ramifications. A generation of ‘ethically compromised’ children will soon populate India.

Solutions have to come from parents and society. The Academic Integrity Office of the University of UC San Diego found 1,042 students guilty of integrity violations last year. We need such offices of academic integrity in our colleges too. Maybe an independent National Agency for Scientific and Academic Integrity as well.

The meaning of ‘education’ and ‘learning’ rather than ‘passing out’ needs to be drilled in our systems. We need to initiate dialogues on values and build ethics in teachings and curricula in school and college education.

We do not want our physicians and scientists to be corrupt. Tomorrow is Teachers’ Day. An appropriate occasion to remind ourselves of why education and research must be ethical.

The writer is Director, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences

Three more doctors resign from BJMC, total 7 in 3 days

Three more doctors resign from BJMC, total 7 in 3 days

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:04.09.2021

Without naming anyone, Dr Rajnish Patel, president of Gujarat Medical Teachers’ Association (GMTA), said that the senior doctors are resigning not due to the physical duress they experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic, but ‘mental distress’.

After resignation of Civil Hospital superintendent and dean of BJ Medical College among four top doctors, three others including Dr Dinesh Rathod and Dr Shailesh Shah put in their papers. The resignations however were not accepted till Friday night.

“If you observe, majority of these doctors are institutional/departmental heads. It can only be inferred that they might be facing mental harassment or pressure from above. They all performed exceptionally during the pandemic and are the most qualified doctors the state has,” said Dr Patel. “But still they are citing personal reasons to put in their papers. If all are resigning with such a succession, it needs introspection from above.” Dr Patel told TOI that the departure of some of the most experienced hands would hamper the preparations for the third wave of Covid-19.

Dr J P Modi, former medical superintendent of Civil Hospital – who had resigned on Wednesday – told media that he has not resigned under duress. “Not all officers are the same, many visited the hospital regularly and understood our operational issues,” he said without naming any person.

Retired government teachers appeal for DA

Retired government teachers appeal for DA

04/09/2021

Special CorrespondentCHENNAI

Retired teachers have appealed to the Tamil Nadu government to reinstate dearness allowance which has been withheld.

The teachers said that while the Central government had released prospectively the DA payment that it had suspended from January 2020 to July 2021 at 11%, the State government had in its Budget announced that the DA payment would be withheld for another nine months.

The Tamil Nadu Retired College Teachers’ Association has pointed out that the government employees and pensioners had been hard hit, and the COVID-19 pandemic had hurt them further.

‘Fundemental right’

They said that DA/DR is a fundamental right of an employee and pensioner and is meant for survival of the employee and pensioner against erosion of wages and pension. The association cited the rules that protect the payment of salary/pension to government employees, and appealed that the government revoke its decision to withhold the DA and disburse it.

பயிற்சி டாக்டர் பணி இயக்குனருக்கு உத்தரவு

பயிற்சி டாக்டர் பணி இயக்குனருக்கு உத்தரவு

Added : செப் 04, 2021 00:22

சென்னை:அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரி மருத்துவமனைகளில் பணிபுரியும் பயிற்சி டாக்டர்களுக்கு, கூடுதல் பணி நேரம் ஒதுக்கப்படுகிறதா என்பதை, மருத்துவ கல்வி இயக்குனர் கண்காணிக்கும்படி சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டு உள்ளது.

சமூக சமத்துவத்துக்கான மருத்துவர் சங்க பொதுச்செயலர் ரவீந்திரநாத் தாக்கல் செய்த மனுவில், 'அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரி மருத்துவமனைகளில், பயிற்சி மருத்துவர்கள் மற்றும் மேல்படிப்பு மாணவர்களை, எட்டு மணி நேரத்துக்கும் அதிகமாக பணியாற்றும்படி நிர்ப்பந்திக்கின்றனர்.'பணிச் சுமை காரணமாக சிலர் தற்கொலை செய்துள்ளனர்.

எட்டு மணி நேர பணி நிர்ணயித்து, 2015ல் பிறப்பித்த அறவிப்பை அமல்படுத்த வேண்டும்' என, கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.இம்மனு, தலைமை நீதிபதி சஞ்ஜிப் பானர்ஜி, நீதிபதி ஆதிகேசவலு அடங்கிய அமர்வில் விசாரணைக்கு வந்தது. மனுதாரர் சார்பில், வழக்கறிஞர் தங்கசிவன் ஆஜரானார்.

அரசு தரப்பில், அரசு பிளீடர் முத்துகுமார் ஆஜராகி, ''கூடுதல் பணி என எந்த புகாரும் இல்லை. புகார் அளிக்க குழு அமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது,'' என்றார்.இதை பதிவு செய்த நீதிபதிகள், பயிற்சி மருத்துவர்கள் மற்றும் மேற்படிப்பு மாணவர்களுக்கு கூடுதல் பணி நேரம் ஒதுக்கப்படுகிறதா என்பதை, மருத்துவ கல்வி இயக்குனர் கண்காணிக்கும்படி உத்தரவிட்டது.

Kerala varsity syndicate okays norms for faculty posting

Kerala varsity syndicate okays norms for faculty posting

It applies to university departments, aided colleges, as per UGC Regulations, 2018

Published: 03rd September 2021 05:47 AM |

Image of Kerala University used for representational purpose. (File Photo | EPS)

By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The syndicate of the University of Kerala has approved the guidelines for appointment of assistant professors in university departments and aided colleges as per the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2018.

As prescribed in the regulations, appointment will be made solely on the basis of the interview that will be held after shortlisting eligible candidates. The syndicate also approved the interview format prescribed in the UGC regulations.

After preparing a shortlist, 10 candidates will be called for interview for a single post and five more candidates for subsequent vacancies. Aided colleges are also free to follow the appointment guidelines ratified by the syndicate. The entire interview procedure should also be video graphed.

Pension revision

The syndicate of also decided to urge the government to withdraw its order which stipulated that the additional financial burden arising out of the pension revision of former university employees should be borne by the varsity from its own fund.

A five-member sub-committee of the syndicate has been tasked with taking up the issue with the government. The pension revision was supposed to be carried out with retrospective effect from 2019. Barring Kerala University that cited fund crunch, all other state universities had gone ahead with pension revision.

Other key decisions

University to urge govt to withdraw order on pension revision using varsity’s own fund

To explore possibility of offering online UG, PG courses through distance mode

Online courses

The Syndicate also constituted a sub-committee to undertake a study on the feasibility of offering online UG and PG courses through the School of Distance Education.

Anna University allows two colleges to start engineering courses in Tamil

Anna University allows two colleges to start engineering courses in Tamil

While Erode Sengunthar will offer 60 seats in Mechanical Engineering stream in Tamil medium, Rathinam Technical Campus will teach Computer Science Engineering in the regional language.

Published: 03rd September 2021 05:38 AM 

Anna University (File Photo | EPS)

By Binita Jaiswal

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Decks have been cleared for Erode Sengunthar College and Rathinam Technical Campus, to start Tamil medium engineering courses, after finally receiving necessary approval from Anna University (AU) on Thursday.

While Erode Sengunthar will offer 60 seats in Mechanical Engineering stream in Tamil medium, Rathinam Technical Campus will teach Computer Science Engineering in the regional language. The All-India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) had granted approval to both colleges long back but both were in dilemma over starting the courses this year as they did not receive requisite permission from AU — their affiliating university.

The colleges were worried over the delay in getting permission from AU as the last date for applying for Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) ended on August 24. Sources said AU was hesitant to grant approval as it doesn’t have sufficient study material in Tamil to provide these colleges. Besides, they were worried that a number of seats might fall vacant as there could only be a few takers for the courses, and placement issues may also ensue.

However, both the colleges are relieved after getting approval from AU. The permission has come late but the colleges are confident of filling up their seats. “We had surrendered the Tamil medium seats to Directorate of Technical Education (DOTE) earlier and had informed that we will admit students only after getting AU approval. Now, DOTE has also postponed the release of rank list for engineering admissions to September 14. All these will favour us,” said V Venkatachalam, principal of Erode Sengunthar college.

‘Several enquiries’

B Nagaraj, principal of Rathinam Technical Campus, said Computer Science stream is in much demand and they are receiving a good number of enquiries for the Tamil medium course. “We won’t face problems in attracting students,” he said

Three students, 3 teachers test +ve in TN since school reopening

Three students, 3 teachers test +ve in TN since school reopening

Contacts Tested, Classes Continue

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

04.09.2021

Trichy/Coimbatore/Cuddalore:

Three school students and three teachers have tested positive for Covid-19 so far in the state since schools reopened on Wednesday. They included two girls in Ariyalur, another in Namakkal and two teachers handling higher secondary classes in Cuddalore.

Among the two Ariyalur girls, one is a Class XII student and hosteller at Annai Lourd higher secondary school in Varadarajanpettai. As she developed mild upper respiratory infection (URI) symptoms, she gave her swab for RT-PCR test at Jayankondam GH on September 1. As the result came positive, she was moved to Jayankondam GH for further care. However, she had attended classes on Thursday. In the other case, a Class IX girl, a day scholar at Nirmala girls higher secondary school, had higher body temperature during thermal scanning at the school on Wednesday. She subsequently underwent RT-PCR test and tested positive even though she had no other symptoms. She did not attend classes on Thursday.

The Class IX student who had been undergoing chemotherapy in recent years, was asymptomatic and was admitted to Ariyalur government medical college hospital. The district health department has collected more than 60 samples from the primary and secondary contacts of the two girls including family members, classmates and teachers. Hostels and school managements were told to ensure the screening process further, she said. The schools have closed the classrooms and blocks used by these students. Officials said the schools will continue to function and students will be accommodated in the unused classrooms.

In another case, a Class X student from Namakkal who attended classes on Wednesday tested positive when her Covid test result came the next day. “All the 300-odd students and teachers underwent test to check for the virus spread. While none of them were found to have contracted the virus, alternative arrangement was made for the students to continue classes from Friday,” said Namakkal DEO A Balumuthu.

In Cuddalore district, two teachers handling higher secondary classes at Jawahar matriculation HSS in Neyveli tested positive for Covid-19. The teacher along with others gave swab samples before the schools reopened on September 1. Their test results which were announced on Friday returned positive following which the school management requested the students who were in contact with the teacher to isolate themselves. A trained graduate teacher posted at Venugopalapuram government GHSS in the district also tested positive. Health officials said the teacher, who started attending school from September 1, was resting in the staff room on Thursday. She complained of nausea and vomiting and was isolated immediately. She and her daughter had given swab samples a day before the school reopened.

One of the cases was caught during thermal screening at a school. A RT-PCR test showed that the student with higher body temperature was Covid positive. She had no other symptoms

Maruti recalls 1.8 lakh cars sold from 2018 to ’20 for faulty unit

REPLACEMENT TO BEGIN FROM NOV

Maruti recalls 1.8 lakh cars sold from 2018 to ’20 for faulty unit

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:04.09.2021

Maruti Suzuki on Friday announced a recall of as many as 1.8 lakh cars sold between May 4, 2018, and October 27, 2020, to replace a faulty motor generator unit. The cars being recalled are certain petrol variants of Ciaz sedan, Ertiga utility vehicle, and SUVs Vitara Brezza, SCross and XL6.

Maruti said that the replacement of the affected part shall begin from the first week of November. “Till then, customers are requested to avoid driving in water-logged areas and direct water spray on electrical/electronic parts in vehicle.” The change of faulty parts will be undertaken free of cost, the company said, adding that customers will receive a communication from dealerships regarding the exercise.

“Recall campaigns are undertaken globally to rectify faults that may be potential safety defects. In the interest of customers, Maruti has decided to voluntarily recall the affected vehicles for inspection/replacement of motor generator unit, free of cost,” the company said.

Announcing recalls must for auto companies: Government

It added, “Affected vehicle owners would be receiving a communication from Maruti authorised workshops.”

The company said that customers of suspected vehicles can also visit the ‘Imp Customer Info’ section on the company websites www.marutisuzuki.com (for Ertiga and Vitara Brezza) or www.nexaexperience.com(for Ciaz, XL6 and S-Cross) and fill in their vehicle’s chassis number to check if their vehicle needs any attention.

While previously it was voluntary, the government has now made announcement of recalls mandatory for vehicle manufacturers in case they notice defects that are generic in nature.

Penalties have also been stipulated with regards to the exercise. Previously, there used to be instances where vehicle companies would avoid calling out generic defects, fearing impact on the branding.

HC notice to cops over plea to examine Sasi, EPS

HC notice to cops over plea to examine Sasi, EPS

Kodanad Case: Police To Reply By Sept 27

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:04.09.2021

The Madras high court has ordered notice to the Nilgiris police on a plea by three accused in the Kodanad Estate murder-burglary case seeking to examine former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, and former general secretary of AIADMK V K Sasikala before trial court.

Admitting the plea on Friday, Justice M Nirmal Kumar observed that the petitioners had not produced any materials to show why Palaniswami, Sasikala and others must be examined by the trial court. The court then adjourned the plea to September 27 for the police to file its counter.

According to D Deepu, M S Satheesan and A Santhosh Samy, all accused in the case, the sessions judge of the Nilgiris had taken up the trial even during the peak of pandemic situation and the court hall and campus was crowded with police, accused, advocates, politicians and presspersons. “In the above circumstances, we filed a petition before the sessions court seeking to permit us to examine Palaniswami, Sasikala, J Eelavarasi, V Sudhakaran, the then Nilgiris district collector Shankar, the then SP Murali Rambah, AIADMK state office-bearer Sajeevan, manager of Kodanad estate Natarajan, and Sunil, a resident of Gudalur,” the petition said.

On April 30, the sessions court passed an order partly allowing the petition, permitting them to examine only manager Natarajan, they said. Therefore, challenging the trial court order, they have moved the high court.

The petitioners alleged that the trial court had failed to note that it was the right of the accused to lead witnesses on his side in order to substantiate his case. “The court has failed to note that one of the main charges in the case is Section 396 (dacoity) of IPC wherein the material object secured from the accused by investigating officer is nothing but a Rhinoceros miniature made of glass which is unacceptable, and obvious that the police have attempted to fill the lacunae and acted in a biased manner in order to save the skin of some person under priority,” they alleged.

Colleges plan online classes for freshers from Sept 3rd week

Colleges plan online classes for freshers from Sept 3rd week

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:04.09.2021

Several colleges in the city plan to start from the third week of September orientation and bridge courses online for first year students, many of who are not eligible for vaccination.

Physical classes for second and third year undergraduate students and postgraduate second year students began on September 1, with vaccinated students allowed to attend classes on a rotation basis. The process of admissions for the 2021-22 academic year is on the verge of being completed.

“Most of the first year students are in the under-18 years category who may not be vaccinated. So, we will not call them to campus. We are planning to start classes for first year students only in online mode from September 16,” said Lalitha Balakrishnan, principal of MOP Vaishnav College for Women. The college will begin with orientation and communication skills training. “The bridge course will be conducted from October 1. After conducting an assessment, we will pay more attention to students who are not up to the mark during the bridge courses,” she added. Psychological counselling will be given to students to overcome pandemic related stress.

DG Vaishnav College in Arumbakkam plans to start orientation for first year students online after September

15. “Students will have to attend at least15 days of orientation and bridge courses online. We have asked heads of departments to find experts to conduct bridge courses for science stream students,” said principal S Santhosh Baboo.

Ethiraj College for Women and Women’s Christian College has also planned such courses for first year students.

Principle Of Equal Pay For Equal Work Cannot Be Applied Merely On Basis Of Designation: Supreme Court

Principle Of Equal Pay For Equal Work Cannot Be Applied Merely On Basis Of Designation: Supreme Court

LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK  1 Sep 2021 10:54 AM

Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hrishikesh Roy

The Supreme Court observed that the principle of equal pay for equal work cannot be applied merely on basis of designation.

In this case, the court had to examine the claims made by Private Secretaries (Grade-II) ("PS-II") employed in the Eastern Central Railways (Field Office/Zonal Railways),for parity in pay with their counterparts working in the Central Secretariat Stenographers Service ("CSSS")/Railway Board Secretariat Stenographers Service ("RBSSS")/Central Administrative Tribunal ("CAT").

Interpreting the Sixth Central Pay Commission report, the court noticed that the aspect of disparity between the Secretariat and the field offices was a matter taken note of by the Commission itself while making the recommendations. "Yet to some extent, a separate recommendation was made qua Secretariat Organizations and non-Secretariat Organizations. Once these recommendations are separately made, to direct absolute parity would be to make the separate recommendations qua non-Secretariat Organizations otiose. If one may say, there would have been no requirement to make these separate recommendations if everyone was to be treated on parity on every aspect", the court observed.

One of the contentions raised was that as a result of parity being given up to the level of Assistant (which would put them in the grade of Rs.4200 (later Rs.4600)), they, being one post higher, would automatically have to get one higher grade. The bench rejected the contention noticing that the report stipulated that parity would need to be absolute till the grade of Assistant and beyond that "it may not be possible or even justified to grant complete parity because the hierarchy and career progression will need to be different taking in view the functional considerations and relativities across the board."

"We are fortified in the view we are seeking to adopt in interpreting the aforesaid paragraphs of the Pay Commission by the observations in Union of India v. Tarit Ranjan Das, where it was opined that the principle of equal pay for equal work cannot be applied merely on basis of designation. While dealing with the 5th Pay Commission recommendations with respect to functional requirements, it was held that there was no question of any equivalence on that basis. The said case dealt with Stenographers of the Geological Survey of India. While observing that as a general statement it was correct to state that the basic nature of work of a Stenographer remained by and large the same whether they were working for an officer in the Secretariat or for an officer in a subordinate office; it was held that Courts ought not to interfere if the Commission itself had considered all aspects and after due consideration opined that absolute equality ought not to be given", the court said.

Case: Union of India vs. Manoj Kumar ; CA 913-914 OF 2021

Citation: LL 2021 SC 409

Coram: Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hrishikesh Roy

NEET PG 2021 : NBE Allows Two Pregnant Candidates To Change Centre; Supreme Court Disposes Writ Petition

NEET PG 2021 : NBE Allows Two Pregnant Candidates To Change Centre; Supreme Court Disposes Writ Petition: The Supreme Court was informed on Thursday that the National Board of Examination has granted the

மகாளய அமாவாசைக்கு கயா, காசிக்கு சிறப்பு ரயில்

மகாளய அமாவாசைக்கு கயா, காசிக்கு சிறப்பு ரயில்

Added : செப் 02, 2021 21:56

சென்னை:மகாளய அமாவாசைக்கு, கயா, காசிக்கு சிறப்பு சுற்றுலா ரயிலை, இந்திய உணவு மற்றும் சுற்றுலா கழகமான ஐ.ஆர்.சி.டி.சி., இயக்குகிறது.

இந்த ரயில், மதுரையில் இருந்து வரும் 30ம் தேதி புறப்பட்டு, திண்டுக்கல், திருச்சி, கும்பகோணம், மயிலாடுதுறை, சிதம்பரம், கடலுார், விழுப்புரம், சென்னை எழும்பூர் வழியாக செல்லும்.

இப்பயணத்தில், பீஹார் மாநிலம் கயாவில் மகாளய அமாவாசையன்று, முன்னோர்களுக்கு தர்ப்பணம் செய்யலாம். உத்தர பிரதேச மாநிலம் அயோத்தியில் ராமஜென்ம பூமி, காசி விசுவநாதர், விசாலாட்சி, அன்னபூரணி கோவில்களில் தரிசனம் செய்யலாம். அலகாபாத் திரிவேணி சங்கமத்தில் நீராடலாம். கோல்கட்டா நகரை சுற்றிப் பார்க்கலாம். ஆந்திர மாநிலம், விஜயவாடா கனகதுர்க்கா சக்தி பீடத்தை பார்த்து வரலாம். மொத்தம் 12 நாட்கள் சுற்றுலாவுக்கு, ஒருவருக்கு 11 ஆயிரத்து 340 ரூபாய் கட்டணம் நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

ஐ.ஆர்.சி.டி.சி.,யின் சென்னை அலுவலகத்தை, 90031 40680; மதுரை - 82879 31977; திருச்சி, 82879 31974; கோவை அலுவலகத்தை, 82879 31965 என்ற எண்களில் தொடர்பு கொள்ளலாம். மேலும் விபரங்களை, www.irctctourism.com என்ற இணையதள முகவரியிலும் தொடர்பு கொள்ளலாம்.

மூடப்படும் ஓட்டல்கள்: ஆபத்தில் 10 லட்சம் குடும்பங்கள்

மூடப்படும் ஓட்டல்கள்: ஆபத்தில் 10 லட்சம் குடும்பங்கள்

Updated : செப் 03, 2021 00:37 

கொரோனா பாதிப்பை தொடர்ந்து, தமிழகம் முழுதும் ஆயிரக்கணக்கான ஓட்டல்கள் மூடப்பட்டு வருகின்றன. இதனால், நேரடியாக 10 லட்சம் குடும்பங்களும், மறைமுக மாக 10 லட்சம் பேரும் பாதிக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளதாக தகவல் வெளியாகியுள்ளது.

ராஜ்குமார், மாநில தலைமை செயலர் - தமிழ்நாடு ஓட்டல் உரிமையாளர்கள் சங்கம்:

குறைந்தபட்சம், 20 சதவீத லாபம் கிடைக்கும் என்ற கருத்தில், ஏராளமானோர் ஓட்டல் தொழிலுக்கு வந்தனர். பலர் அதில் புதுமைகளை புகுத்தினர். 'பிராண்ட்' உருவாக்கி, அதன் கிளைகளை பல இடங்களில் ஏற்படுத்தினர். பொதுவான ஒரு இடத்தில் சமையல் கூடம் அமைத்து, அங்கே சமைத்து கிளைகளுக்கு அனுப்பி வைத்தனர். இதனால், உற்பத்தி செலவு குறைந்தது. வெளி மாநிலங்களில் இருந்து குறைந்த சம்பளத்தில் ஆட்கள் வேலைக்கு வரவழைக்கப்பட்டனர். 'ஸ்விக்கி, சுமாட்டோ' போன்ற இணைதள சேவை வாயிலாக உணவு களை, 'டோர் டெலிவரி' செய்ததால், ஓட்டல் தொழில் செழிப்பாகவே இருந்தது.

சீனிவாசராஜா, உரிமையாளர் - அடையாறு ஆனந்த பவன்:

இந்தியா முழுதும் அடையாறு ஆனந்த பவன் நிறுவனத்துக்கு, 140க்கும் மேற்பட்ட ஓட்டல்கள் இருந்தன. அதில், 10 சதவீதம் மூடப்பட்டு விட்டது. எங்கள் ஓட்டல்களில், 10 ஆயிரத்துக்கும் மேற்பட்ட தொழிலாளர்கள் வேலை பார்த்து வந்தனர். அவர்களில் பலர் வேலை இழந்துள்ளனர். ஓட்டல்கள் மூடப்பட்டு, வியாபாரம் இல்லாவிட்டாலும், தொழிலாளர்களுக்கு முழு சம்பளம் கொடுக்க வேண்டும். வாடகையை குறைக்க கட்டட உரிமையாளர்கள் மறுக்கின்றனர். வியாபாரம் இல்லாமல் பல லட்சம் ரூபாயை, எப்படி வாடகையாக கொடுக்க முடியும்?கொரோனா காலத்திலும், அரசுக்கு அனைத்து வரிகளையும் முழுமையாக செலுத்த வேண்டிய கட்டாயம் உள்ளது.அத்துடன் தாள முடியாத கடன் சுமை. மேலும், முன்பை போல ஓட்டலுக்கு வருவதை மக்கள் குறைத்து விட்டனர். இதனால், பழைய வர்த்தகம் இல்லை. முன்பு இருந்ததில், 20 சதவீதம் அளவுக்கு தான் வர்த்தகம் நடக்கிறது; செலவுகளோ குறையவில்லை; 5 சதவீத லாபம் கூட கிடைக்கவில்லை. ஓட்டல் தொழிலில் ஜாம்பவானாக அறியப்பட்ட, சரவண பவன் நிர்வாகமே தடுமாறி, தங்களுடைய பல கிளைகளை மூடிவிட்ட போது, சாதாரண ஓட்டல் தொழில் அதிபர்களின் நிலை மிக மோசம்.

ரவி, உரிமையாளர் - வசந்த பவன் ஓட்டல்கள்:

வருமான வரி, ஜி.எஸ்.டி., வரி, கடனுக்கு அபராத வட்டியில் இருந்து விலக்கு, திருப்பி செலுத்தும் காலத்தை அதிகரிப்பது, வட்டி விகிதத்தை குறைப்பது என எந்த சலுகையையும், ஓட்டல் அதிபர்களுக்கு மத்திய அரசு வழங்கவில்லை. சொத்து வரி, தண்ணீர் வரி, கழிவு நீர் வரி, மின்சார கட்டணம் என எதிலும், மூடி கிடந்த ஓட்டல்களுக்கு சலுகை கொடுக்கப்படவில்லை. ஓட்டல் தொழிலையும், அதை நம்பி இருக்கும், ௧௦ லட்சம் குடும்பங்களை காப்பாற்ற வேண்டும் என அரசு நினைத்தால், தகுந்த நிபுணர் குழு அமைத்து, ஓட்டல் தொழிலில் இருப்போரிடம் விசாரித்து நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும்.

தாமோதரன், மேலாளர் - சரவண பவன் ஓட்டல்கள்:

பெரும்பாலான ஓட்டல்கள், வாடகை கட்டடங்களில் இயங்குகின்றன. இவர்களுக்கு தான் கொரோனா காலத்தில் பெரும் சிக்கல் ஏற்பட்டது. கார், வீடு வாங்க கொடுக்கப்படும் கடனுக்கான வட்டி, 6 சதவீதம். ஆனால், தொழிலுக்கு கொடுக்கப்படும் கடனுக்கான வட்டி, 14 சதவீதம். அமெரிக்கா, சிங்கப்பூர், துபாய் என பல நாடுகளில், தொழில் கடனுக்கான வட்டி 4 சதவீதம் தான். ஓட்டல் தொழில் நசிவடைவதால், நேரடியாக 10 லட்சம் குடும்பங்களும், மறைமுகமாக 10 லட்சம் பேரும் பாதிக்கப்படுவர். இவ்வாறு அவர்கள் கூறினர். - நமது நிருபர் - -

Skipped Exam After Depression Got Aggravated In Lockdown

HC relief for ‘depressed’ SVNIT student

Skipped Exam After Depression Got Aggravated In Lockdown

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:03.09.2021

The Gujarat high court has quashed a decision made by Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat (SVNIT) to expel a student for missing out on semester examinations because he was a victim of depression aggravated by the lockdown last year.

The student approached the HC and challenged his termination on the ground that he had been suffering from depression since January 2020 and the illness reached its peak during the lockdown. Therefore, he could not take the exams, which resulted in his expulsion. The problem arose because the student failed to intimate the institute about his illness ahead of the exams. The Academic Review Committee decided in September 2020 to remove the student from the course because he could not earn 25 credits at the end of the second semester.

While quashing the student’s termination and directing the institute to take a fresh decision on continuation of his studies, Justice N V Anjaria on Wednesday observed, “The depressive cycle which the petitioner suffered was during the period of Covid pandemic itself. It was a period of wide-spread despondence. It is reasonable to believe that the situation brought about by the pandemic created an adverse effect on the tender mind of the petitioner, who disengaged himself from the studies. The ground advanced by the petitioner could be viewed as genuine as there is nothing to disbelieve the same.” After the student moved the HC through advocate Ronith Joy, the court ordered SVNIT to allow him to appear in supplementary exam in May 2021. He secured the minimum credit marks and became an eligible contender to pursue the studies further.

The high court was critical of the institute and said that doubting the student is insensitive even after a psychiatrist issued a medical certificate. The court also took into consideration that the student has cleared the exams and acquired minimum marks and his illness was attributable to the pandemic period. It will “be inequitable, arbitrary and contrary to the tenets of justness, fairness and equality, to disregard the factor” in expelling him from the course, it said.

The court asked the institute to take a fresh view on its decision by showing sympathy to the student. It said, “Approach of sympathy is not the rule of law, yet the law has to be benevolent to sub-serve the interests of justice, wherever the facts and circumstances so justify and demand. This is one such case.”

The student moved the HC challenging his expulsion stating that he had depression and it peaked during the lockdown leaving him unable to take the exam

‘Same sex good relations must for healthy society’

‘Same sex good relations must for healthy society’

Jay.Pachchigar@timesgroup.com

Vadodara:03.09.2021

“It is necessary to note that for the healthy society, good and pious relations and friendships between same sex are very much needed … Such instance (honey trap) not only shakes the confidence of the society but also shakes the real purpose behind the concept of gay or same sex dating. Such kinds of offenders are a threat to society as well as social balance.” This is what a sessions court in Vadodara observed while rejecting the bail of a man who was arrested for blackmailing a man along with his two other friends through a gay social networking and dating mobile app.

The court of additional sessions judge A J Kanani also noted that offenders like the accused Rakesh Kanojiya ‘have shaken the social structure by trapping innocent people for their monetary gains’. Court also came down heavily on the accused and said that it is not inclined to show any leniency as he deceived the complainant and blackmailed him.

Kanojiya and his accomplices Ajay Thakor and Akshay Gohil had planned to extort money from a man, who used the gay dating application. Gohil took the man to a pre-decided place in Waghodiya in June. When Gohil and the man were in compromising position, Kanojiya and Thakor recorded their videos and photos and later ambushed him. They took away Rs 6,000 cash, gold necklace, mobile phones and demanded more cash due to which the man’s wife and sister came to give Rs 12,000. Later, they threatened the man to pay Rs 50,000 or else they would circulate his photos and videos. Tired of the blackmailing, the man had lodged an offence of robbery, extortion, unnatural offences, criminal conspiracy and under Information Technology Act. Following the registration of FIR, the accused were arrested and have been in judicial custody. Kanojiya sought bail again as the investigating officer submitted the chargesheet of the case.

Founder trustee of Lakshya Trust that works with the LGBTQ community, Sylvester Merchant said that he was very surprised with the judgement. "Gay men have very few options for dating and these days mobile applications are used widely and virtual spaces are used a lot. It is important that these places stay safe," he said.

Court directs top police officials

The court also directed the superintendent of Vadodara rural police and the inspector general of Vadodara range police to make sure that the owner of the dating application – Blued – to put disclaimer or warning for the safety and privacy of users. The court stated that celebrities like Ayushman Khurrana promote the application due to which youth are attracted towards it without being aware of criminal ramifications.

Artificial insemination is cruelty: Madras HC

Artificial insemination is cruelty: Madras HC

Sureshkumar.k@timesgroup.com

Chennai:  03.09.2021

Artificial insemination of native breeds of cattle denies mating rights of those animals, and also amounts to cruelty under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, Madras High Court said, urging authorities to avoid the process.

“Artificial insemination deprives of bulls and cows the pleasure of mating which they are entitled to naturally. Reproduction by natural process is a basic biological need which cannot be interfered with,” said a division bench of Justice N Kirubakaran (since retired) and Justice P Velmurugan.

Denying and depriving right to copulate amounts to cruelty to animals under the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the court added.

The bench also ruled that only native-breed bulls should be permitted to run in jallikattu and other bull racing sport in Tamil Nadu and imported or hybrid bulls should be prohibited from participating in such events. State veterinary department officials should certify the nativity of animals prior to the jallikattu event, bench said, and directed the state government to encourage bull owners and farmers to groom native breeds by providing subsidies.

“No bull other than native bulls can participate in jallikattu. There is an inbuilt prohibition under the Act to use other breeds, including imported hybrid/cross variety bulls, in jallikattu. In view of the prohibition, no owner or authority can allow other bulls except native bulls to participate in jallikattu,” the court asserted.

The bench was passing the order on a plea seeking to ensure that only native breeds of bulls were permitted in jallikattu, manjuvirattu, oormadu, vadamadu and eruduttu viduthal.

Artificial insemination deprives bulls and cows of the pleasure of mating, the court said

Girl celebrates 8th b’day at dad’s samadhi

Girl celebrates 8th b’day at dad’s samadhi

Basavaraj.Kattimani@timesgroup.com

Koppal:03.09.2021

Having lost her father to Covid-19 more than three months ago, little Spandana couldn’t think of celebrating her eighth birthday without his presence. The extended family of over a dozen people went to his samadhi in Koppal district’s Kushtagi taluk and held a solemn event with Spandana cutting the cake on Wednesday morning.

Standing in front of the grave, Spandana Konasagar paid rich tributes to her father: “I feel my father is still around, watching and blessing me on this special day. It’s a memorable event in my life and I will come here to seek my father’s blessings on all special occasions.” Fighting off tears, the girl’s mother Roopa said: “I lost my husband Mahesh Konasagar, a social worker, in May. After attending a political rally, he developed a fever. Later, doctors said he has tested positive for Covid and he died on May 13. He was laid to rest in our family farmland.”

Only child of her parents, Spandana said her father would always celebrate her birthday in a grand way. “I couldn’t believe when my mother told me about his death. I miss him a lot.” Roopa said Spandana took long to come to terms with the tragedy. “When we decided to celebrate her eighth birthday at home, Spandana expressed desire to have it at the samadhi,” she added.

Spandana Konasagar paid rich tributes to her father

Woman sues KSRTC for not halting at stop, wins ₹8,000

CONSUMER IS KING

Woman sues KSRTC for not halting at stop, wins ₹8,000

Petlee.Peter@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:03.09.2021

A woman passenger took Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to consumer court after the bus she boarded for Tumakuru from Bengaluru didn’t halt at the stop of her choice and dropped her 400 metres away. The utility has been ordered to pay her a compensation of Rs 8,010 for the inconvenience caused.

On the morning of October 24, 2018, Vijaya Bai L, 33, a resident of Urdigere Hobli in Tumakuru, took a KSRTC bus from Bengaluru to Tumakuru to visit her sister’s residence. Despite informing the conductor and driver that she wanted to get off at the HMT bus stop in Tumakuru, the driver failed to stop the vehicle. Following a plea by Vijaya, the bus slowed down and halted 400 metres away from the spot. On disembarking, she found the area was barricaded and she couldn’t cross over to the other side of the road. She was forced to take two autorickshaws by paying Rs 10 and Rs 50, respectively, to reach her destination.

Following the unpleasant experience, Vijaya called the KSRTC helpline for relief but in vain. Finally, she approached the Tumakuru District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission with a complaint against KSRTC for deficiency of service. The consumer court on July 29, 2019 ordered Tumakuru divisional controller of KSRTC to refund Rs 10 towards Vijaya’s auto fare and pay compensation of Rs 10,000 and litigation cost of Rs 5,000 along with interest.

However, KSRTC appealed against the verdict before Karnataka State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Bengaluru and litigation began. The corporation’s attorney said the bus Vijaya travelled on was a nonstop passenger with limited stops and, therefore, the request that she be allowed to get off the vehicle in the middle was unjust.

But judges of the state forum stated that KSRTC hadn’t provided the bus driver’s version and it is to be noted that the conductor had issued a ticket for HMT bus stop to Vijaya Bai. Moreover, with no consideration for a woman passenger, the driver and conductor dropped her in the middle of the road and she had trouble finding her way to her destination.

However, considering the views of KSRTC, the judges in a verdict on July 28, 2021, reduced the compensation amount to Rs 5,000 and the litigation amount to Rs 3,000, but ordered that Rs 10 will have to be paid to the woman passenger within 60 days of the order.

The KSRTC attorney said the bus Vijaya travelled on was a non-stop passenger service with limited stops. But the state consumer forum observed that with no consideration for a woman passenger, the driver and conductor dropped her in the middle of the road and she had trouble finding her way to her destination

Court news

 

Edu institutions told to be extra cautious

Edu institutions told to be extra cautious

Kevin.Mendonsa@timesgroup.com

03.09.2021

The health department has ordered educational institutions in Dakshina Kannada to step up safety measures, after it was found that some institutions were not strictly enforcing Covid-19 protocols on the campus. Recently, three institutions were served notices for not following SOP.

Officials are also wary after a spike in cases were reported on campuses across the state. There have been outbreaks at a nursing college in Kolar and Bengaluru over the past week.

Health department officials say blatant violations have led to a surge in positive cases among students. After educational institutions reopened, a total of 792 students in Dakshina Kannada tested positive in the span of a month. This includes 620 students from Kerala, 76 from Dakshina Kannada and a dozen from Maharashtra, said Dr Ashok H, nodal officer for Covid-19.

“During our spot inspections, we found students who were supposed to be in mandatory quarantine, were freely mingling with others in the canteen and hostel mess. I’s likely some of them passed on the virus to more students,” said Dr Ashok.

Of the three institutions that were served notices, two are in Mangaluru and the other in Sullia. “We have warned them that a case will be booked under the Karnataka Epidemic Act. Fresh infections have been declining after we tightened the noose. We will continue to monitor the situation.”

Meanwhile, chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, while speaking to reporters in Hubballi, reiterated that students, especially nursing students, who come from Kerala and stay in hostels in Karnataka should mandatorily be quarantined for a week and they should be tested at the end of their quarantine period to ensure they are not carrying the virus.

Judge: Cow only animal that inhales, exhales O2

Judge: Cow only animal that inhales, exhales O2

Prayagraj:03.09.2021

The Allahabad HC judge who asked for the cow to be declared India’s “national animal” while denying bail to a man accused of cow slaughter has said in the same 12-page order that “scientists believe cow is the only animal that inhales and exhales oxygen”.

Written in Hindi, Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav’s order claims it is a tradition in India to use ghee made of cow milk in each oblation during a yajna because “this gives special energy to sunrays, which ultimately causes rain”.

His observations about the cow’s supposedly unique respiratory process mirror former Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat’s 2019 statement that the cow exhales oxygen, not carbon dioxide. TNN

Eating beef not fundamental right: Order

Panchgavya, which is made of cow milk, curd, ghee, urine and cow dung helps in treatment of several incurable diseases,” states the order denying bail to the cow slaughter accused from UP’s Sambhal.

Since a cow’s existence is integral to Indian culture, consuming beef cannot be considered a fundamental right of any citizen, the order says. “The right to life is above the right to kill and the right to eat cow-beef can ever be considered a fundamental right. Right to life can’t be snatched away merely for another’s pleasure of taste, and that the right to life is above the right to kill. The right to consume cow-beef can never be a Fundamental Right,” the order states.

› Artificial insemination is cruelty to animals: HC, P 6

Panchgavya, which is made of cow milk, curd, ghee, urine and cow dung, helps in treatment of several incurable diseases

— JUSTICE SHEKHAR KUMAR YADAV | ALLAHABAD HC

Andhra Pradesh high court sentences 5 IAS officers to jail for contempt

Andhra Pradesh high court sentences 5 IAS officers to jail for contempt

TNN | Sep 3, 2021, 05.43 AM IST

VIJAYAWADA: The AP high court on Thursday found five IAS officers guilty of contempt of court and sentenced them with jail term and punishment.

The court, after hearing a contempt petition moved by one Tallapaka Savitramma from Kanupur village of Venkatachalam mandal in Nellore district, found the officials guilty of wilful disobedience of the court’s orders.

While senior IAS officer Manmohan Singh, the then principal secretary for revenue, was sentenced to four weeks in jail and a fine of 1,000, principal secretary for finance SS Rawat was sentenced to one month in jail and 2,000 fine.

Failing to pay the fine will increase the jail term by another week, the court said.

District collector of Nellore Revu Mutyala Raju has been sentenced to two weeks in jail along with a fine of 1,000, while KNV Chakradhar and MV Seshagiri Babu, who previously worked as Nellore district collectors, were fined 2,000 fine each, with a clause to spend a week in jail if they fail to pay the fine.

Savitramma had moved a petition in 2017 after her assigned land was taken away by the state government for the setting up of National Institute for Mentally Handicapped. Considering her petition, the court had directed the government to pay compensation along with others as per the issued GO within three months.

As no compensation was paid, she moved a contempt petition in 2018. The court issued notices to the respondents and after perusal of the counter affidavits filed by them, impleaded the officials who worked as Nellore district collectors during the period of litigation and also the principal secretaries of finance. After impleading the officials, the compensation amount was finally paid on March 30, 2021 — a delay of about three years.

After perusal of the affidavits filed by the officers, the court found Manmohan Singh (then principal secretary for revenue), SS Rawat (principal secretary for finance), Mutylaraju, Chakradhar and Seshagiri Babu, who worked as Nellore district collectors, responsible for delay in payment of compensation to the 62-year-old widow.

Justice Battu Devanand observed that because of the negligence and disobedience of the officials, the old woman suffered a lot. Noting that it was a fit case for contempt of court, he rejected the unconditional apology tendered by the officers. The court also directed the state government to pay `1 lakh to the petitioner towards costs. However, Justice Devanand suspended the operation of the sentence by four weeks after request by the officials.

M’luru man gets 2 doses of Covishield in minutes

M’luru man gets 2 doses of Covishield in minutes

Vinobha.KT@timesgroup.com

Mangaluru:03.09.2021

A 19-year-old daily-wage worker was administered two doses of Covishield within minutes of each other at a crowded vaccination centre in Sullia taluk of Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district on Wednesday. He has been under observation though no adverse effect has been reported in the past 24 hours.

The incident took place at a school in the taluk’s Duggaladka village when the centre was chock-ablock with vaccine-seekers due to a mega drive conducted by the government on Wednesday. Sullia taluk health officer Dr B Nandakumar told TOI that the man, despite jabbed back to back, will still have to take another dose after the stipulated gap of 84 days.

The officer said the faux pas occurred when the man didn’t leave the room after taking the first dose, and the nurse on the job didn’t realize she was administering a second dose to the same person. “Soon after realising the mistake, he was made to remain under observation for two-three hours before he was sent home,” he said.

A team of health officers has been checking his vital parameters at his home since Wednesday evening.

Dr Nandakumar said the man was under the impression that two doses of vaccine were necessary to travel. He seemed to have believed rumours that he would be denied ration from the public distribution system if he weren’t fully jabbed. “Hence, he did not leave the room after the first round of vaccination. The nurse, too, could not recognise him due to the facemask and the confusion caused by the milling crowd,” he added.

Dakshina Kannada district administered 49,364 doses of vaccine on Wednesday, and Sullia taluk accounted for 4,321 doses.

Tamil Nadu to close down 32 toll plazas: Highways minister

Tamil Nadu to close down 32 toll plazas: Highways minister

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:03.09.2021

The Tamil Nadu government would close down 32 toll plazas on the national highways, said state PWD and highways minister E V Velu in the assembly on Thursday. The number of toll plazas on NHs would come down from 48 to 16, he said.

In neighbouring Kerala, the number of toll plazas has been reduced to three as per the provisions of the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules 2008. In Tamil Nadu, there should be only 16 toll plazas as per the rule. (The rule says there should be a minimum distance of 60 km between two plazas. However, there are 48 toll plazas in Tamil Nadu at present and 27 of them violate this rule). He was replying to a calling attention motion moved by M H Jawahirullah of MMK on the hike in toll fee.

The sub-section of the rule also says there should not be any toll plaza within 10 km radius of corporations and municipalities. There are five toll plazas – Nemili near Sriperumbudur, Chennasamudram, Vanagaram, Paranur near Chengelpet and Surapattu - that violate this sub-section, he said and added that as per CM M K Stalin’s instruction, action was being taken to close them down.

“We have already communicated this to the Union ministry for road transport and highways. After the assembly session, I will go in person and meet Union minister Nitin Gadkari and insist on closing down the five toll plazas,” said Velu.