India-UAE route 8th in top 10 country pair list

India-UAE route 8th in top 10 country pair list

Manju.V@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:09.09.2021

After a three-month absence, India-UAE is back in the top 10 list of country pairs, with airlines slated to fly around 12 lakh seats this month, making it the eighth busiest international route in September, show numbers released by OAG, a UK-based aviation data firm. What separates this eighth ranker from most of the country pairs in the top 10 listing, though, is the air fare — with the cheapest return fare on non-stop flights from cities such as Delhi, Mumbai to Dubai this weekend starting at Rs 65,000.

TOI compared 48-hour advance purchase fares on flights operating between the top 10 country pairs and found passengers flying India-UAE, Mexico-US and Spain-Italy this month would be paying the most for air tickets, especially those spending on 48-hour advance purchase tickets for travel this weekend.

On Wednesday, the cheapest return ticket on non-stop flights from Mumbai to Dubai for travel this weekend (September 10, return September 13) started at Rs 62,000, offered by Emirates, and for travel from Delhi it was Rs 70,000, on Fly-Dubai. Weekend flights to Dubai are in high demand as a 24-hour advance purchase flight cost a tad less — Rs 60,000 return fare on a non-stop flight from Mumbai to Dubai for travel on Thursday, that is. For cheaper options there were transit flights, like the Mumbai-Lucknow-Dubai Air India return flight, the fare for which began at Rs 50,000 for travel this weekend.

Pre-pandemic, Mumbai-Dubai return fare began at Rs 26,000 for a round trip. Then again, the number of seats on offer were high. For instance: In September 2019, airlines flew 32% more seats between India and UAE as compared to September 2021, shows OAG data.

The demand for flights to the UAE is particularly high this month with IPL 2021 to be held there from September 19. Dubai is also the most popular medium-haul international holiday destination out of India. With the UAE opening up for fully vaccinated passengers from India on August 30 after a four-month-long ban, air fares have jumped. UAE-India was the second busiest country pair globally from January to April, till the second Covid-19 wave disrupted the trend.

SRM TRICHIRAPALLI CAMPUS INAGURATION

 

TN to buy 2,213 new diesel buses

TN to buy 2,213 new diesel buses

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.09.2021

Tamil Nadu plans to purchase 2,213 new diesel buses and 500 electric buses within the next two months to replace the older vehicles in the fleet, transport minister Raja Kannappan announced in the assembly on Wednesday.

Replying to the debate on demand for grants for the transport department, Raja Kannappan said, "The new buses will be purchased with interest free loan from German bank KfW (German Development Bank) which will cover 80% of the cost and remaining 20% will be funded by the state."

The government entered into an agreement with KfW to procure 12,000 BS-VI buses and 2000 electric buses in a span of five years from 2021. There are 17,333 buses plying in the state.

Scholarship for graduates

Scholarship for graduates

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.09.2021

The government will change the norms to provide educational scholarships to the students of ‘first generation’ rather than ‘first graduate’ to help more members of a family get benefits, according to backward classes, most backward classes and denotified communities welfare minister S S Sivasankar.

HC wonders how a 16-year-old can be allowed to write NEET

HC wonders how a 16-year-old can be allowed to write NEET

Legal Correspondent

CHENNAI, SEPTEMBER 07, 2021 01:06 IST

If a minor has good knowledge about politics, can he/she be allowed to vote? asks judge

If a 16-year-old has good knowledge about politics, can we allow him/her to vote in elections? the Madras High Court asked on Monday while hearing the plea of a 16-year-old girl to allow her to write National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) though the minimum age required to appear for the medical entrance test was 17 years.

Justices Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Krishnan Ramasamy raised the query during the hearing of a writ appeal preferred by National Testing Agency (NTA) against a single judge’s order to allow the 16-year-old to write NEET and one more writ petition filed by the student SP. Shree Harini of Kumbakonam seeking permission to write the test.

Senior counsel G. Rajagopalan, representing the NTA, contended that the single judge had erred in allowing the 16-year-old girl to write the test when the regulations clearly state that the candidates must have completed 17 years of age as on December 31, 2020. He said the courts should not interfere in such decisions taken by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

On her part, NMC counsel Subharanjini stated that there was a difference between the intelligence of a student and his/her maturity. Stating that certain amount of physical as well as mental maturity was required to undergo medical courses, the counsel said the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of a student could not be considered a measure of his/her maturity.

Adding a rider that she might sound a little rude, the counsel said: “We do not want somebody giggling in the anatomy room after joining medical college.” While recognising that the writ petitioner might be a brilliant student with a very high IQ, the counsel said, still, she could not be allowed to write NEET in violation of the regulations.

On his part, senior counsel AR.L. Sundaresan, representing the student, said he was not challenging the age criteria fixed by NMC but only insisting upon carving out an exception for an academically brilliant student. Pointing out that Central Board of Secondary Education had permitted her to write Plus Two examinations, he said, she could not be forced to waste one year to write NEET.

He urged the court to permit the student to write NEET scheduled on Sunday and then take a decision on allowing her to join MBBS or not. However, warning that a possible poor performance in NEET might also demoralise the student and affect her psychologically, the judges decided to pass orders on the writ appeal as well as the writ petition on Tuesday.

Inter-dept disputes should be resolved by govt, not courts: SC

Inter-dept disputes should be resolved by govt, not courts: SC

AmitAnand.Choudhary@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:  08.09.2021

As disputes between government departments always end up in courts, the Supreme Court on Tuesday raised question on why the Centre is reluctant to intervene to sort them out instead of depending on court to adjudicate the dispute.

While hearing a legal battle between Registrar General & Census Commission and LIC, a bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M M Sundresh said that some kind of mechanism should be put in place by the government to resolve such disputes and court should not be burdened with such cases.

The court said that there are many such cases being filed in courts including disputes between public sector units and tax department. “I have not found government taking a stand to sort out such problems and they always want court to sort out the problems,” the SC said. The SC was hearing an appeal filed by Census Commission challenging Gujarat HC verdict holding that services of LIC employee could not be asked for census work by the commission.

The HC had quashed the order passed by commission requisitioning the staff of LIC and held that the corporation was not a local authority within Census Act.

Free darshan at Tirumala resumes from Sept 9

Free darshan at Tirumala resumes from Sept 9

Tirupati:  08.09.2021

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has decided to resume free darshan at Tirumala temple from September 9. The temple body had suspended free darshan and pedestrian darshan at the hill temple in April following the outbreak of the second wave of Covid-19, while continuing to facilitate paid darshan at the hill temple.

After assuming charge as TTD chairman for a second consecutive term, YV Subba Reddy had announced that the temple body would resume free darshan for common devotees soon. Accordingly, the temple administration on Tuesday announced that the slotted sarva darshan (free darshan) will be resumed at the temple from September 9 with some restrictions.

To start with, only 2,000 devotees would be allowed in a day under the slotted sarva darshan system. TNN

BPharm grad fakes being a gynaec, held

BPharm grad fakes being a gynaec, held

Hyderabad:08.09.2021

A woman who tried to dupe a hospital posing as a gynaecologist has been arrested along with her associate. The accused Moulika of Papi Reddy Colony in Lingampally is a BPharmacy graduate.

She became close to businessman T Venkata Ganapati Surya Satyanarayana Murthy from the same colony who told her to pose as a doctor and gave her fake documents. Using the fake documents, Moulika set up Sri Sai Clinic in Papi Reddy Colon, the police said.

Four days ago, Moulika joined as a gynaecologist in a hospital at RC Puram and management asked her for original certificates of her medical degrees and later, management filed a complaint with the police. TNN

Supreme Court Not Meant Only For People Living Near Delhi; Madras HC Judge Justice Kirubakaran Urges Centre To Amend Constitution To Set Up Regional Benches

Supreme Court Not Meant Only For People Living Near Delhi; Madras HC Judge Justice Kirubakaran Urges Centre To Amend Constitution To Set Up Regional Benches: “ Location of Courts and Tribunals in New Delhi alone,without having Regional Benches, causes

Medical Professionals Cannot Be Held Negligent Merely Because The Treatment Is Not Successful Or Patient Dies During Surgery:

Medical Professionals Cannot Be Held Negligent Merely Because The Treatment Is Not Successful Or Patient Dies During Surgery:

 Supreme Court

LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK

7 Sep 2021 7:58 PM

The Supreme Court observed that a medical professional cannot be held negligent merely because the treatment is not successful or the patient dies during surgery.

To indicate negligence, the bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and AS Bopanna said, there should be material available on record or else appropriate medical evidence should be tendered.

The court said that the principle of res ipsa loquitur (mere occurrence of some types of accident is sufficient to imply negligence) can be applied when the negligence alleged is so glaring and not based on perception.

In this case, the claimant's wife, who was admitted in the Hospital after diagnosed with kidney stone, died after a surgery performed on her. Alleging medical negligence, the approached the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. The NCDRC held the Doctor and Hospital guilty of medical negligence and has directed payment of Rupees Seventeen Lakhs only with interest as compensation.

In appeal, the bench noted that in this case, apart from the allegations made by the claimants before the NCDRC, there is no other medical evidence tendered by the complainant to indicate negligence on the part of the doctors.

"It is clear that in every case where the treatment is not successful or the patient dies during surgery, it cannot be automatically assumed that the medical Page 13 of 27 professional was negligent. To indicate negligence there should be material available on record or else appropriate medical evidence should be tendered. The negligence alleged should be so glaring, in which event the principle of res ipsa loquitur could be made applicable and not based on perception. In the instant case, apart from the allegations made by the claimants before the NCDRC both in the complaint and in the affidavit filed in the proceedings, there is no other medical evidence tendered by the complainant to indicate negligence on the part of the doctors who, on their own behalf had explained their position relating to the medical process in their affidavit to explain there was no negligence.", the court said.

The Court also observed that enquiry that was conducted by the District Magistrate cannot be considered as medical evidence to hold negligence on the part of the doctors or the hospital in the matter of conducting the second surgery and the condition of the patient. Allowing the appeal, the court observed:

23. In the above circumstance when there was no medical evidence available before the NCDRC on the crucial medical aspect which required such opinion, the mere reliance placed on the magisterial enquiry would not be sufficient. Though the opinion of the civil surgeon who was a member of the committee is contained in the report, the same cannot be taken as conclusive since such report does not have the statutory flavour nor was the civil surgeon who had tendered his opinion available for cross­examination or seeking answers by way of interrogatories on the medical aspects. Therefore, if all these aspects are kept in view, the correctness or otherwise of the line of treatment and the decision to conduct the operation and the method followed were all required to be considered in the background of the medical evidence in the particular facts of this case. As indicated, the mere legal principles and the general standard of assessment was not sufficient in a matter of the present nature when the very same patient in the same set up had undergone a successful operation conducted by the same team of doctors. Hence, the conclusion as reached by the NCDRC is not sustainable."

Case: Dr. Harish Kumar Khurana vs. Joginder Singh ; CA 7380 OF 2009

Citation: LL 2021 SC 425

Coram: Justices Hemant Gupta and AS Bopanna

Advocate Christi Jain appeared for the anaesthetist and Advocate Liz Mathew appeared for the hospital.

தாம்பரம் நகராட்சி பகுதியில் சாலைகளில் விதிகளை கடைபிடிக்காமல் வேகத்தடைகள்

தாம்பரம் நகராட்சி பகுதியில் சாலைகளில் விதிகளை கடைபிடிக்காமல் வேகத்தடைகள்

தாம்பரம்  08.09.2021

தாம்பரம் நகராட்சி பகுதியில் சரியான விதிமுறைகளை கடைபிடிக்காமல் அமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ள வேகத்தடைகளால் விபத்துகள் ஏற்படுகின்றன.

வேகத்தை குறைப்பதற்காகவும் விபத்தை தடுப்பதற்காகவும் பயன்படுத்தப்படுகின்ற 'ஸ்பீடு பிரேக்' எனப்படும் வேகத்தடையால் தாம்பரம் சுற்றுப் பகுதிகளில் தினசரி விபத்துகள் ஏற்படுவதுடன், உயிரிழப்புகளும் ஏற்படுகின்றன.

சாலைகளின் எந்த இடங்களில் வேகத்தடைகள் அமைக்கலாம் என்பதை சாலை பாதுகாப்பு குழு ஆய்வு செய்யும். இந்த குழுவின் அறிக்கைப்படி மாவட்ட நிர்வாகமும், நெடுஞ்சாலைத் துறையும் பரிசீலனை செய்து வேகத்தடை அமைக்க ஒப்புதல் வழங்கும். பின்னர், விதிமுறைப்படி வேகத்தடையும், அது குறித்த எச்சரிக்கை பலகைகளும் அந்த இடங்களில் வைக்கப்படும்; இதுதான் நடைமுறை. ஆனால், யாரும் இதன்படி செய்வதில்லை என்ற புகார் எழுந்துள்ளது.

சமீபத்தில் சேலையூரை சேர்ந்த ஹேமகுமார்(30) என்ற இளைஞர் கிழக்கு தாம்பரம், பாரத மாதா சாலையில் அமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ள வேகத்தடையால் தவறி விழுந்து தற்போது உயிருக்கு ஆபத்தான நிலையில் பெரும்பாக்கத்தில் உள்ள தனியார் மருத்துவமனையில் சிகிச்சை பெற்று வருகிறார்.

இதுகுறித்து சமூக ஆர்வலர்கள் கூறும்போது, "பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் வாகனங்களின் வேக கட்டுப்பாடுக்கு பயன்பட வேண்டிய வேகத்தடைகள் மரண மேடுகளாக மாறுவதற்கு, முறையான உயரத்தில் வேகத்தடைகள் இல்லாததும் அதற்கான எச்சரிக்கை பலகைகளை எங்கேயும் முறையாக வைக்காததுமே முக்கிய காரணங்களாகும்.

வேகத்தடை விதிமுறைகள்

குறைந்தது 40 மீட்டருக்கு முன்பாக வேகத்தடை என்றஎச்சரிக்கை பலகை வைக்கப்பட்டிருக்க வேண்டும். 17 மீட்டர் ஆரம் கொண்டதாகவும், 3.7 மீட்டர் அகலத்துடனும், அதிகபட்சமாக 10 செ.மீ. உயரத்திலும் மட்டுமே வேகத்தடைகள் இருப்பது அவசியமாகும். பிரதிபலிக்கும் வகையிலான பெயின்டை வேகத்தடை மேடுகளின் மீது பூச வேண்டும். 10 மீட்டர் தொலைவுக்குள் இரு வேகத்தடைகளை ஏற்படுத்தக் கூடாது. ஆனால் இந்த விதிகளை உள்ளாட்சி அமைப்புகள், நெடுஞ்சாலை துறையினர் பின் பற்றுவதில்லை என்றனர்.

இதுகுறித்து தாம்பரம் நகராட்சி ஆணையர் இரா.லெட்சுமணன் கூறும்போது, "விபத்து நடந்த பாரத மாதா சாலையில் ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்டு, விதிகளை மீறி அமைக்கப்பட்டிருந்தால் உரிய நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும். தாம்பரம் முழுவதும் வேகத் தடைகளின் மீது பிரதிபலிக்கும் வகையிலான பெயின்ட் அடிக்கப்படும். எச்சரிக்கை பலகை வைக்க நடவடிக்கை மேற்கொள்ளப்படும்" என்றார்.

தொடர்ச்சியாக 3 முகூர்த்த நாட்கள் கொரோனா பரவல் அதிகரிக்குமா?

தொடர்ச்சியாக 3 முகூர்த்த நாட்கள் கொரோனா பரவல் அதிகரிக்குமா?

Added : செப் 07, 2021 22:20

கொரோனா பரவலை கட்டுப்படுத்த, திருமண மண்டபங்களுக்கு விதிக்கப்பட்ட கட்டுப்பாடுகளில், தமிழக அரசு தளர்வு அறிவித்துள்ளது. ஒரே நேரத்தில், 50 பேர் வரை திருமண மண்டபங்களில் கூடலாம். அதனால், திருமண மண்டபங்கள் திறக்கப்பட்டு, ஏராளமான திருமணங்கள் நடந்து வருகின்றன.

இந்நிலையில், இன்று, நாளை, நாளை மறுநாள் என மூன்று நாட்கள், முகூர்த்த நாட்களாக வருகின்றன. அதனால், மீண்டும் கொரோனா பரவல் அதிகரிக்க கூடும் என்ற, அச்சம் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது.

இது குறித்து, தமிழ்நாடு திருமண மண்டப உரிமையாளர் சங்கத்தின், திருவள்ளூர் மாவட்ட தலைவர் அசோகன் கூறியதாவது: சென்னையில், 2,000 உட்பட தமிழகம் முழுதும், 7,000 திருமண மண்டபங்கள் உள்ளன. கொரோனா பாதிப்புக்கு பின், மண்டபங்களில் திருமணம் செய்ய முன்வருவதில்லை. ஏற்கனவே, முன்பதிவு செய்திருந்தவர்கள் மட்டுமே, தேதியை மாற்றி வைத்து தற்போது திருமணம் செய்கின்றனர்.

ஏற்கனவே, மாலை 6:00ல் இருந்து மறுநாள் மாலை 6:00 மணி வரை என, 24 மணி நேரம் கணக்கிடப்பட்டு, மண்டபம் வாடகைக்கு விடப்பட்டது. இப்போது காலை 6:00ல் இருந்து மாலை 6:00 மணி வரையிலான, 12 மணி நேர கணக்கில் வாடகைக்கு விடப்படுகிறது. அத்துடன் வாடகையையும் குறைத்துள்ளோம்.

யாரும் பெரிய விழாவாக திருமணத்தை நடத்துவது இல்லை. 100 அல்லது, 150 பேரை வரவழைத்து திருமணத்தை நடத்தி முடிக்கின்றனர். அதனால், பெரிய திருமண மண்டங்கள், இரண்டு அல்லது மூன்று 'மினி ஹால்'களாக மாற்றி அமைக்கப்பட்டு வருகின்றன. எனவே, நோய் பரவல் அச்சுறுத்தல் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது என்று சொல்வதை ஏற்க முடியவில்லை. பெரும்பாலான திருமண மண்டபங்களில், கொரோனா கட்டுப்பாடுகள் பின்பற்றப்படுகின்றன.

மக்களுக்கும், கொரோனா குறித்த விழிப்புணர்வு ஏற்பட்டிருக்கிறது. கட்டுப்பாடுகளை மீறி திருமண மண்டபங்களில், ஒரே நேரத்தில் நுாற்றுக்கணக்கானோரை கூட்டினால், உரியவர்கள் மீது அரசு நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கட்டும். அதே நேரம், மண்டப உரிமையாளர்கள், மண்டபங்களை நம்பி வேலைக்கு இருப்போரின், பொருளாதார நிலைமைகளை மனதில் வைத்து அரசு அதிகாரிகள் செயல்பட வேண்டும். இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

தொற்றை கட்டுப்படுத்தும் வகையில், திருமண உள்ளிட்ட நிகழ்ச்சிகளில், 50 நபர்கள் மட்டுமே பங்கேற்க வேண்டும். நிகழ்ச்சிகள் நடைபெறுவதை, covid19.chennaicorporation.gov.in/covid/marriagehall என்ற இணையதளத்தின் வாயிலாக, மாநகராட்சிக்கு தெரியப்படுத்த, மண்டப உரிமையாளர்களுக்கு அறிவுறுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது.

திருமணம் போன்ற சுப நிகழ்ச்சிகளில் பங்கேற்கும் அனைவரும், முக கவசம் கட்டாயம் அணிய வேண்டும். நுழைவு வாயிலில் கைகளை சுத்தம் செய்த பின், உள்ளே செல்ல வேண்டும். உணவு அருந்தும்போது, கூட்டம், கூட்டமாக அமரக் கூடாது. இடைவெளியுடன் அமர வேண்டும்.முக கவசம் அணியாத நபர்களுக்கு, 200 ரூபாய் அபராதம் விதிக்கப்படும்.

அதேபோல, திருமண மண்டபங்களில், 50 பேருக்கு மேல் அனுமதித்தால், அதன் உரிமையாளர்களுக்கும் அபராதம் விதிக்கப்படும். இந்த மூன்று நாட்கள், அதிகளவு நிகழ்ச்சிகள், சென்னையில் நடைபெற உள்ளதாக தகவல் வெளியாகி உள்ளது. கூடுதல் குழுக்கள் அமைக்கப்பட்டு, கண்காணிப்பு தீவிரப்படுத்தப்படும்.

-ககன்தீப்சிங் பேடி,

கமிஷனர், சென்னை மாநகராட்சி

நீட் தேர்வுக்கான ஹால் டிக்கெட் வெளியீடு

நீட் தேர்வுக்கான ஹால் டிக்கெட் வெளியீடு

Updated : செப் 07, 2021 15:05 | Added : செப் 07, 2021 15:03

புதுடில்லி: நடப்பு 2021ம் ஆண்டுக்கான நீட் தேர்வுக்கான ஹால் டிக்கெட் வெளியிடப்பட்டது.

எம்.பி.பி.எஸ்., பி.டி.எஸ்., சித்தா, ஆயுர்வேதம், யுனானி, ஓமியோபதி உட்பட இளநிலை மருத்துவப்படிப்புகளுக்கு நீட் தேர்வு அடிப்படையில் மாணவர் சேர்க்கை நடத்தப்படுகிறது. நீட் நுழைவுத் தேர்வு வரும் 12ல் நாடு முழுதும் நடக்கவுள்ளது. மொத்தம் 16 லட்சம் மாணவர்கள் தேர்வு எழுத உள்ளனர். இதற்காக நாடு முழுவதும் 198 தேர்வு மையங்கள் அமைக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளன.

நீட் தேர்வுக்கான ஹால் டிக்கெட் நேற்று இணையதளத்தில் வெளியிடப்பட்டது. அதனை, https://www.nta.nic.in/ என்ற இணையதளத்தில் இருந்து, விண்ணப்ப எண், பிறந்த தேதியை குறிப்பிட்டு மாணவர்கள் பதிவிறக்கம் செய்து கொள்ளலாம்.

Drop the bottle and grab your bail: Madras HC tells two drunkards

Drop the bottle and grab your bail: Madras HC tells two drunkards

All he did was to ask the duo, who were seeking bail after getting arrested over a drunken brawl, to give a written assurance stating they won’t booze again.

Published: 08th September 2021 05:02 AM 

By Express News Service

MADURAI: Sometimes, a little leap of faith can go a long way. With the simplest of remedial measures, Justice B Pugalendhi of the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Tuesday, might have just helped two men lay off the bottle. All he did was to ask the duo, who were seeking bail after getting arrested over a drunken brawl, to give a written assurance stating they won’t booze again.

The court was hearing a bail petition filed by Shiva and Karthik, both Tiruchy natives. On July 25, the duo were having booze with their friend Suresh at a bar. Reportedly, an argument broke out between them and in the melee, Shiva and Karthik attacked Suresh with a beer bottle. The duo were soon arrested and remanded in judicial custody.

Subsequently, the accused persons moved a lower court seeking bail, which was denied over objection from police. Further, they approached the Madurai Bench of High Court with their petition. The duo contended that the police had foisted the case on them and lodged them in prison for over 37 days. They also assured the Court that they will accept any conditions imposed on them if let out on bail.

Recording the submission, Justice B Pugalendhi said the root cause of this crime was alcoholism. “Only due to it, the accused are in jail right now. If the duo are willing to give a written affidavit stating they will not consume liquor and create problems in the future, I will consider granting them bail,” he told the petitioners’ counsel. The Court also set September 13 as the deadline for filing the affidavit and adjourned the case.

Bail sought, with assurance to accept conditions

The duo, who were arrested for a drunken brawl and were remanded, had moved to a lower court seeking bail. With a police objection denying the bail, they approached the HC and assured the court that they would accept any conditions for a bail

TN Assembly witnesses heated debate over NEET

TN Assembly witnesses heated debate over NEET

The State Assembly on Tuesday again witnessed a heated debate over the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions.

Published: 08th September 2021 05:07 AM 

Image for representation

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The State Assembly on Tuesday again witnessed a heated debate over the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions. Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma Subramanian announced he is ready for a separate exclusive debate over the issue in the House.

AIADMK member N Thalavai Sundaram said ruling party members and the Health Minister had repeatedly charged that NEET was implemented during the Edappadi K Palaniswami regime but the exam was implemented as per a Supreme Court order.

Responding to him, Subramanian asked the AIADMK member whether the previous (AIADMK) government informed the House about the Union Home Ministry sending back the State’s resolution over NEET and about the State resolution being rejected by the President of India. He further asked whether the AIADMK regime had taken steps to meet the President and put pressure on him to grant his nod for NEET exemption.

Stalin gifts Rs 6,480 crore DA hike to TN govt employees

Stalin gifts Rs 6,480 crore DA hike to TN govt employees

13 welfare measures announced for govt staff, pensioners, teachers ,CM promises to fulfil all fair demands of employees ,‘Ban on public Chaturthi festivities based on Centre’s advice’

Published: 08th September 2021 05:11 AM

Chief Minister MK Stalin. (Photo | EPS)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday announced a slew of welfare measures including early DA hike for around 16 lakh government employees, teachers and pensioners. In a significant move, he said the practice of placing a government employee under suspension on the day of his retirement would be dropped. He also promised that his government would fulfil the fair demands of government employees step by step.

Policemen carrying a bubble top water

can during the Assembly session on Tuesday | R Satish Babu

The announcements came in the backdrop of government employee unions demanding DA hike with retrospective effect from July. Recently, the pensioners staged agitation in this regard. Making a statement under Rule 110 in the State Assembly, the Chief Minister said a hike in dearness allowance for government employees and pensioners will be enforced from January 1, 2022 instead of April 1, 2022 accepting representations from the unions.

“This is being done despite difficult financial constraints faced by the government. This will cost an additional expenditure of Rs 1,620 crore to the State Exchequer and annually, the expenditure would be Rs 6,480 crore,” the Chief Minister said. Leaders of various political parties in the Assembly welcomed the announcements.

Talking to Express, M Anbarasu, president, Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association said, “We welcome the announcements of the Chief Minister. However, it failed to make us happy because what we expect is DA hike from July when the Central government announced it. Tamil Nadu government employees used to get DA hike on par with Central government employees whenever it was announced. Now, enforcing the DA hike just three months ahead makes no difference.”

Information dept

Minister MP Saminathan announced several welfare measures for journalists

Establishment of a welfare board to ensure effective implementation of the welfare schemes for working journalists

Hike in financial assistance given to the families of journalists who die in harness from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh

Financial assistance to journalists who wish to train themselves by joining reputed institutions

Kalaignar Ezhuthukol Award for a journalist who contributes to the upliftment of society

Statues of freedom fighters and scholars will be installed in various parts of the State

Law Dept

Minister S Regupathy announced plans pertaining to various law colleges and courts

A new law college to be established at Karaikudi

Rs 28 lakhs to be allocated for conducting international workshops and seminars

English training for govt law college students

Two legal research centres at Tamil Nadu National Law University, Trichy

An additional law officers block to be constructed in the Madurai bench of Madras HC at a cost of Rs 4.28 crores

Chief judicial magistrate courts to be set up at Kallakuruchi, Tenkasi, Ranipet, Kancheepuram, Mayiladuthurai and Tirupattur

Key announcements made by CM MK Stalin

The Chief Minister announced a slew of measures for the welfare of government employees and pensioners in the State

Hike in DA for 16 lakh government employees and pensioners from January 1, 2022

Retirement age of 29,137 cooks and 24,576 asst cooks working for nutritious meal scheme will be increased from 58 to 60

Disciplinary proceedings against teachers who took part in the strike during the previous AIADMK government will be dropped. If their promotional aspects were affected due to the disciplinary action, it would also be set right. Besides, those who were transferred during the strike, will be given priority in the counselling for transfers

Steps to fill vacancies for junior assistant posts in government schools

The period of suspension and period of agitation of govt employees who struck work during AIADMK government in 2016, 2017 & 2019 will be treated as service period

Orders will be issued to provide treatment for the children of government employees who depend on them irrespective of their age under the health insurance scheme

Practice of suspending an employee on the date of his retirement will be dropped

Appropriate guidelines will be issued for appointing legal heirs of the government employees who die in harness on compassionate grounds

Incentive for additional educational qualifications acquired during the service period to government employees which was cancelled in 2020 will be resumed soon

Considering the increase in the number of students getting admitted to the government schools, an appropriate number of teachers will be recruited to fulfil the student-teacher ratio

For Corona infection, treatment cost above `10 lakh will be allowed under the health insurance scheme for government employees

Training will be given to government employees at the district level to simplify and expedite works of the Treasuries and Accounts Department

Training will be given to newly appointed govt employees and those who are promoted to higher positions, in their respective districts

Electricity dept

Minister V Senthil Balaji said steps to boost power generation and facilitate consumption will be taken up

One lakh agriculture service electricity connections

A 4,000 MW solar power generation plant with a solar power bank of 2000 MW capacity

Two hydropower generation plants with a capacity of 500 MW at Kothaiyar in Kanniyakumari district and at Manalar in Theni district

A total of 159 EB sub-stations to be set up at a cost of Rs 1,979 crore

Smart meters to be set up on transformers at a cost of Rs 1,270 crore to monitor their performance.

Upgradation of 33 KW sub-stations to 110 KW at a cost of Rs 125 crore

High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS) to set up at 900 feeders at a cost of Rs 5,050 crore

Announcements made for Home, Prohibition and Excise Department

The consolidated pay for TASMAC employees will be hiked by Rs 500 from April next year.

These three ‘Golden Girls’ from Mysore University show true grit

These three ‘Golden Girls’ from Mysore University show true grit

Chaitra Narayan Hegde, an MSc Chemistry graduate, Madalambike T S and Latha H N, MA graduates, defied all odds to make it big in their studies.

Published: 08th September 2021 05:41 AM 

Chaitra Narayan Hegde, Vidyashree LR, Madalambike TS, Harshitha N and Sindhu Nagaraj with their medals in Mysuru on Tuesday | udayshankar s

By Karthik K K

Express News Service

MYSURU: Surmounting hurdles like lack of public transport, disability and financial difficulties, these three spirited “Golden Girls” of Mysore University bagged whopping 31 medals among themselves at the 101st convocation of the university on Tuesday.

Chaitra Narayan Hegde, an MSc Chemistry graduate, Madalambike T S and Latha H N, MA graduates, defied all odds to make it big in their studies. Chaitra moved to Mysuru University as her village in Uttara Kannada district did not have public transport or good educational institutions.

She did her B.Sc from Yuvaraja’s College and got a seat for M.Sc Chemistry. She helped herself to 20 medals and four cash prizes, emerging as the highest medal winner in the university. Madalambike, who comes from Tammdahalli village in Chamarajanagar district, showed true grit in the face of deep personal loss.

Rural background not a barrier

Soon after Madalambike registered for MA Kannada exam, her father passed away. She did not lose heart, studied hard and bagged 10 gold medals and four cash prizes. Latha HN, who is visually challenged, faced problems in getting access to Braille texts and scribes to write the exams. But she soldiered on to bag a gold medal in MA Kannada. Aware of the poor financial condition of her family, this youth from Handithavalli village in Periyapatna taluk, completed her postgraduate course with scholarships.

All the three come from families of farmers and from remote, rural pockets of the state. “Lack of of public transport buses made me shift to Mysuru for my studies. Though I never expected to bag medals, I think I did ‘smart’ work, which helped me achieve this,” said Chaitra, who is working as an assistant professor now. “Considering the financial condition of my family, I wanted to opt for distance education to complete my masters. But my elder sister and parents encouraged me to take up a regular degree.

My father was happy when a girl from a neighbouring village got a medal. I too had decided that I should reward him with a medal. Today, I have got 10 medals, but I feel sad that my father is not here to see this,” said Madalambike, who is preparing for NET exams. Latha said that screen recording software and other tools helped her, though she faced problems in getting access to audiobooks, especially of Kannada texts.

“The encouragement from my parents, my younger sister and my teachers helped me bag the medal. I have cleared TET and NET exams and looking for opportunities to work as an assistant professor. I also want to train other visually challenged students who aim for competitive exams,” she said.

PhD student jumps to death

PhD student jumps to death

Rajkot:   08.09.2021

A 23-year-old doctoral research student of Saurashtra University allegedly committed suicide by juming into the Aji (2) dam in Rajkot city on Tuesday.

According to police, the deceased was identified as Aditya Prakash Raval, a resident of Rajkruti Apartment in the city. Police found an identity card on the body, which revealed that he was a PhD student in the chemistry department of the university. The reason for the extreme step was not known immediately. “Someone spotted a dead body floating on the water and informed the fire brigade department and a team fished out the body,” police said. TNN

College teachers trained on supercomputers

College teachers trained on supercomputers

08.09.2021

Ahmedabad:

The Gujarat Council on Science & Technology (GUJCOST) and C-DAC jointly organized a training programme on highperformance computing and deep learning for faculty members of 26 institutes that have been given PARAM Shavak supercomputers by the department of science and technologyt in the past three years. Dr Narottam Sahoo, member secretary of GUJCOST, said that 130 faculty members are participating. TNN

Hospital sealing: Doctors meet civic chief

Hospital sealing: Doctors meet civic chief

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:08.09.2021

A delegation of 60 medical personnel, including doctors of 42 aggrieved hospitals that were sealed by the civic body for lack of building use permission, met municipal commissioner Mukesh Kumar on Tuesday. The delegation highlighted how hundreds of patients will suffer and may face complications availing of medical insurances for no fault of theirs.

Among the delegation that met Kumar was former Ahmedabad Medical Association (AMA) president Mona Desai. “We have only requested that all be treated equal before law. We have instances where many commercial units, including hotels, continue to function in the same commercial building where hospitals have been sealed for lack of BU permission. Ahead of the third wave, many mid-size and small hospitals that played a pivotal role during the pandemic will be forced to close. There are an estimated 40,000 clinics and hospitals without BU permission across nagarpalikas and villages in Gujarat,” said Desai.

Dr Nilesh Shah pointed out how smaller hospitals, which form the bulk of Covid healthcare inventory in the city, will suffer. Of the 700 clinics and small hospitals in the city, nearly 60 per cent were designated as Covid hospitals. “We shall abide by the law, but our only petition is that it should be equitably implemented, be it hospital, commercial unit, office or residence.”

Other doctors also pointed out how the withdrawal of C-forms on Monday has put hundreds of patients in a fix. “Many will be shifted in 2-3 days to other hospitals. Following the withdrawal of forms, medical insurance companies can cause problems for patients,” they said.

A delegation including doctors of 42 hospitals met AMC chief Mukesh Kumar at Riverfront House on Tuesday

SC seeks govt response on challenge to FCRA norms

SC seeks govt response on challenge to   FCRA   norms

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:08.09.2021

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the Centre’s response to a joint petition by two NGOs, one of which is run by the former director of the social service centre of Catholic Diocese of Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, challenging the recent amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act on the ground that it impeded disbursement of foreign funds to provide succour to the marginalised sections of the country’s population.

A bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar, Hrishikesh Roy and CT Ravikumar asked the Centre to file its response within three weeks to a joint petition filed by Noel Harper and Nigel Mills of Share and Care Foundation in Andhra Pradesh and Joseph Lizy and Annamma Joachim of National Workers Welfare Trust in Telangana.

Appearing for the Union government, additional solicitor general Sanjay Jain and advocate Kanu Agrawal said that the main grievance of the petitioners appear to be the difficulty in assessing foreign funds and their disbursement.

PM: Changes in edu sector participation-based

PM: Changes in edu sector participation-based

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: 08.09.2021

The transformations in India’s education sector are not just policy-based but also participation-based, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday after launching several academic initiatives, which he said will play an important role in shaping the country’s future.

Modi was addressing the inaugural conclave of the 10-day ‘Shikshak Parv’ through video-conferencing, where he said that the teaching-learning process in the country has to be constantly redefined and redesigned to make India’s education sector world-class.

As part of the Shikshak Parv whose theme is ‘Quality and Sustainable Schools: Learnings from Schools in India’, the PM launched the National Digital Architecture (NDEAR), which he said is likely to play a major role in eradicating inequality in education and its modernisation. He also launched the Indian sign language dictionary (audio- and text-embedded sign language video for the hearing impaired, in conformity with the Universal Design of Learning), talking books (audiobooks for the visually impaired), school quality assurance and assessment framework of CBSE, Nishtha teachers’ training programme for Nipun Bharat and Vidyanjali portal (for facilitating education volunteers/donors/CSR contributors for school development).

Expressing confidence that these will not only make our education system globally competitive but also make the youth future-ready, Modi said, “In this rapidly changing era, our teachers also have to learn about new systems and techniques rapidly. The country is preparing its teachers for these changes.”

“If we are in the midst of a transformation period, fortunately, we also have a modern and futuristic new National Education Policy. These transformations in the education sector are not just policy-based but also participation-based,” he added.

PM Modi praised the contribution of academicians, experts and teachers at every stage in the formulation of the National Education Policy and its implementation. He urged everyone to take this participation to a new level and also to involve society in it.

Full report on www.toi.in

SHAPING THE FUTURE: PM Narendra Modi addresses the inaugural conclave of Shikshak Parv in New Delhi on Tuesday

Interrupted by pandemic, campus culture is the crucial link for students

Interrupted by pandemic, campus culture is the crucial link for students

Paul Wilson

08.09.2021

As Tamil Nadu and a few other states resume on-campus classes for schools and colleges it is imperative to understand the priority of the institutions. Is it just academic excellence or all-round development?

Beyond prizes and scores, learning in schools and colleges is intertwined with values, culture and ethics that help shape the personality of students leading to a sustainable perception to the institutions. But pandemic dispensation has shifted the priority of teachers, students and parents. In 2020, after the first wave of Covid-19, fear of the disease was all-encompassing.

There was apprehension on the part of parents about sending their wards for on- campus classes due to lack of vaccination. But after more than a year at home, parents have realised the importance of social learning that happens through on campus mode, appealing to the transformation of a student’s personality.

In the race for a career, we often fail to recognise the implications of cultural and emotional intelligence that students get acquainted with through on campus learning. Education can never be envisaged as just an intellectual acquaintance or cognitive deposition, rather it encompasses personality development through social learning on campus.

Over the past year, teaching and learning, could very well be associated with distance education mode. Any educational campus would be associated with the tangible cultural heritage that helps in comprehensive development of students. Students often identify themselves with physical spaces in a college or school such as cafeteria, hostels, stone benches, temple or chapel and green spaces that contribute to informal chats, building relationships and gaining negotiation skills. Add to this the cultural heritage of educational institutions that are passed on from senior folks to freshers in a college or school. Events like auditions for scouting talent, intercollegiate or school cultural programmes, NSS and NCC, help develop interests and personality traits of a student community characteristic of a given institution.

The retention capacity of nostalgic memories of students through their oncampus engagement with tangible and intangible cultural heritage as part of campus life has profound influence on the legacy, institutional perception, resilient capacity during crisis, sustainability of the institution through the consistent admissions and placement even amidst economic breakdown.

Pandemic dispensation has triggered cultural disengagement owing to the lack of access to campus life. Though many institutions are making efforts in mitigating the cultural disengagement through events on the digital platform, the essence of the real time and face-to-face collaborations among students is missing for a meaningful engagement through affective learning. Cultural disengagement has a potential threat of facilitating the evolution of counter culture by students (freshers) and it may or may not resonate with the institutional values and the mainstream culture of the institution. To neutralise the effects of the cultural shift over the past year, cultural rehabilitation is necessary through engagement of freshers with the alumni for cultural continuity.

Reopening of educational institutions should not be perceived as just an opportunity to complete the syllabus. Authorities need to use it as an opportunity to check cultural disengagement among students when they return. It is the responsibility of the teachers to go beyond the staggered behavioural patterns of students, if any, and consciously make efforts to conserve the cultural heritage for a progressive institutional perception and sustainability.

(The writer is the principal and secretary, Madras Christian College)

Velankanni car fest held sans devotees

Velankanni car fest held sans devotees

Trichy:08.09.2021

The main event of the annual feast of the shrine Our Lady of Good Health was held on Tuesday in Velankanni in Nagapattinam district without devotees, as the district administration had restricted it due to Covid-19.

The car festival which is the biggest event of the 10-day annual feast took place on Tuesday evening. Most Rev M Devadass Ambrose, Bishop of Thanjavur, inaugurated the car procession. The proceedings were telecast online and television channels, as per the district administration’s instruction. Police had established check posts at 19 locations and closed nine entry points leading to the shrine. TNN

HC slams use of CM photos on school bags & stationery

‘MISUSE OF FUNDS’

HC slams use of CM photos on school bags & stationery

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:08.09.2021

It is abhorring that school books or bags meant for children, who don’t have the right to vote, would carry photographs of public functionaries, even if the functionary is the chief minister, the Madras high court observed on Tuesday.

“Public funds cannot be misused for printing photographs for the personal interests of any politician. The state should ensure that such practice is not continued in future,” the court said. It also commended the present DMK government for its decision not to waste money on erasing pictures already printed by the previous AIADMK government.

“Thankfully, it is submitted by advocate-general that a statement has been made on the floor of the assembly recently to the effect that so as not to waste money already expended, the present dispensation will ensure that school bags, text books and stationery bearing the photographs or other signs of previous chief ministers will continue to be used till exhausted,” said the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P D Audikesavalu.

The bench made the observation on a PIL that sought a direction to the state government to continue dispensing unused stocks of textbooks, stationery and school bags that had photos of former chief ministers.

Recording the submissions of advocate-general R Shunmugasundaram, the judges said: “It is also submitted on behalf of the state that the chief minister does not desire his photographs to be published (on) such material in future.”

No further order need be made except one directing the state to take extreme care to ensure that public funds are not expended for publicity purposes of politicians, it added. “However, photographs of the chief minister may be carried, but that should be restricted to advertisements in newspapers or some hoardings and certainly not used on text books or exercise books or any educational material at all,” the bench said disposing of the plea.

Won’t suspend govt staff on last working day: CM

Won’t suspend govt staff on last working day: CM

08.09.2021

Chief minister M K Stalin on Tuesday said the state government would end the practice of suspending government employees facing disciplinary action and other charges on their last working day. In a statement in the assembly, the CM announced a slew of measures, including advancing disbursement of hike in dearness allowance by three months, which will entail an additional expenditure of ₹620 crore a year, regularize the strike and suspension periods of government employees who participated in strikes in 2016, 2017 and 2019. The state will also cancel disciplinary actions initiated against teachers for such strike and in cases where promotion is affected, they will be rectified, the CM said.

DHANALAKSHMI SRINIVASAN JOB NOTIFICATION

 

Karpagam Faculty of Pharmacy Notification

 

‘Write judgments with clarity on laws & facts’

‘Write judgments with clarity on laws & facts’

SC Concerned Over Some HC Judges’ Verdicts

AmitAnand.Choudhary@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:08.09.2021

The Supreme Court on Tuesday underscored the need for high court judges to be clear and precise on facts and laws while writing verdicts, saying that “it is not adequate that a decision is accurate, it must also be reasonable, logical and easily comprehensible”.

Expressing concern over some of the judgments written by HC judges, a bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah said it was very difficult to appreciate what the judge wants to convey through the judgment and the court is forced to remand the case for fresh consideration.

Observing that a verdict, delivered by Allahabad HC while granting bail to five life convicts, lacked clarity, the bench said that it is very unfortunate that the SC bench has to explain how the judgment should be written and and what should be contained in it. The SC set aside the bail orders.

“A judgment should be coherent, systematic and logically organised. It should enable the reader to trace the fact to a logical conclusion on the basis of legal principles. It is pertinent to examine the important elements in a judgment in order to fully understand the art of reading a judgment,” the bench said.

“The judgment replicates the individuality of the judge and therefore it is indispensable that it should be written with care and caution. The reasoning in the judgment should be intelligible and logical. Clarity and precision should be the goal. All conclusions should be supported by reasons duly recorded. The findings and directions should be precise and specific. Writing judgments is an art (and) involves skilful application of law and logic,” the bench said. Though the bench said that it is conscious that judges are overburdened with work, but said that quality can never be sacrificed for quantity.

“...whenever a judgment is written, it should have clarity on facts; on submissions made on behalf of the rival parties; discussion on law points and thereafter reasoning and the ultimate conclusion and findings and the operative portion of the order. There must be a clarity on the final relief granted. “ it said.

Observing that a verdict, delivered by Allahabad HC while granting bail to five life convicts, lacked clarity, the bench said that it is very unfortunate that the SC bench has to explain how the judgment should be written and and what should be contained in it

TN AGRI UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS 2021-22

 

Retd govt bank employee ties himself to tree to protest felling

Retd govt bank employee ties himself to tree to protest felling

Shivani.Azad@timesgroup.com

Dehradun:08.09.2021

Shoppers at a major market in Rishikesh were greeted with a strange sight on Tuesday morning — an elderly man tied to a tree. Hemant Gupta, a retired senior clerk at a government bank, sat quietly under a peepal tree, a yellow rope wrapped around his torso.

The 64-year-old man had sent multiple letters to authorities to protest against trees that were being felled for a national highway. When he didn’t hear back from them, he decided to take matters into his own hands. “I want to make sure they don’t fell another tree. I’m not against the development of the highway but we must find a way to preserve the trees, perhaps, transplant the younger ones elsewhere,” said Gupta.

Gupta is ready to “adopt” the trees and exhaust his savings to bear their transplantation and maintenance expenses. “I will break my fixed deposits if I have to. But our environment must be protected,” he said.

Full report on www.toi.in

SILENT PROTEST: Hemant Gupta under the peepal tree

Jayaraj-Bennix case: SC refuses bail to two cops

Jayaraj-Bennix case: SC refuses bail to two cops

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:08.09.2021

The Supreme Court has declined to grant bail to two police officers – inspector S Sridhar and sub-inspector P Raghu Ganesh – in connection with the death of trader P Jayaraj and his son J Bennix in June 2020 due to custodial torture by Sathankulam police in Tuticorin district. “…considering the facts and circumstances, at this stage, we are not inclined to interfere with the high court’s order refusing bail,” held a division bench of Justice Vineet Sarann and Justice Dinesh Maheshwari on Tuesday.

On June 19, 2020, Jayaraj, 59, and Bennix, 31, were picked up by Sathankulam police on charges of keeping their mobile phone shop open during pandemic lockdown hours. Due to brutal third-degree treatment in custody, the two suffered severe injuries. While still in judicial custody, Bennix died at Kovilpatti hospital on June 22, and Jayaraj died the next day. Owing to public uproar, Tamil Nadu government handed over the case to CBI, which has filed chargesheet as well. Trial is on at present.

On Tuesday, S Nagamuthu, senior counsel representing inspector Sridhar and Raghu Ganesh, argued in the Supreme Court that the father-son duo did not die due to the injuries sustained at the police station, and that they died due to respiratory illness and heart ailment. As the accused officers would not abscond, they should be enlarged on bail, he argued.

Additional solicitor general KM Natraj, representing the CBI, however, pointed to photographs and forensic reports and said there were at least 18 injuries recorded on the victims’ bodies.

Senior advocate Indira Jaisingh, representing Bennix’s mother, said the two officers were very much present at the station when the victims were being tortured. Noting that two eye witnesses have gathered courage and gave statements against their senior officers, Jaisingh said enlarging the police officers on bail at this stage would collapse the trial.