‘Software error’ credits ₹964cr to two Katihar kids’ accounts

‘Software error’ credits ₹964cr to two Katihar kids’ accounts

Sanjeev Mishra@timesgroup.com

Katihar:17.09.2021

Two Class 6 students of a government school in Bihar's Katihar briefly had more millions in the bank than what their multiplication skills would have enabled them to calculate, courtesy a supposedly “software error” that credited Rs 902 crore and Rs 62 crore to their respective accounts.

Gurucharan Biswas and Ashish Kumar’s short-lived windfall was “rectified immediately” after Uttar Bihar Gramin Bank realised what had happened, district magistrate Udayan Mishra said on Thursday even as the two students recounted their fleeting tryst with crores of rupees they never got to spend.

On Tuesday, one Ranjit Das of Khagaria had been arrested for allegedly refusing to return a portion of the Rs 5.5 lakh wrongly credited to his account with the same bank in March last year. He told the police that he thought the money was part of a direct benefit transfer promised by PM Modi. In Katihar, both students received the mistakenly credited amounts in their accounts on Wednesday. They both study in a government school at Pastiya village of Azamnagar block.

"Due to a banking software error, one account was showing an inflated amount. In another instance, the amount appeared only in the printout of a receipt," the district magistrate said.

Lalan Biswas, mukhiya of Pastiya village, said, "Children receive money in their bank accounts every month to buy uniforms and books. When one of our students checked his balance on Thursday, he was surprised to see the amount. Another student did the same and he was in for a surprise, too."

When the students tried to withdraw some money, they realised that the "credits" were notional, Biswas said.

‘Cowshed’ law colleges slammed by Madras HC

‘Cowshed’ law colleges slammed by Madras HC

Chennai:17,09,2021

The Madras high court on Thursday deplored the trend of ‘cowshed’ law colleges mushrooming in the country, damaging the image of the lawyers.

It is a big issue that needs to be addressed to preserve the credibility of lawyers, the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P D Audikesavalu orally observed.

The bench made the observation when a PIL petition praying for a direction to the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to nominate retired/sitting judges as members of the council’s disciplinary committees came up.

The petitioner found fault with the present practice of nominating other lawyers as ‘judges’ of the committees. PTI

Value of DA assets much more: NGO

Value of DA assets much more: NGO

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:17.09.2021

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption (DVAC) has estimated AIADMK former minister and Jolarpet strongman K C Veeramani’s disproportionate assets to be worth ₹28 crore. But the worth of the assets would have been much more had the agency ran checks for the past decade, said NGO Arappor Iyakkam.

The NGO had submitted a complaint to the DVAC a month ago stating that Veeramani has disproportionate assets worth ₹76 crore based on publicly available papers such as election affidavits and land registration documents. The fundamental difference is the check period considered by the agency, said Jayaram Venkatesan, convenor of Arappor Iyakkam.

In their complaint, Arappor had considered Veeramani and his family’s assets from 2011, which is when he became MLA. The DVAC’s check period is only from 2016, which was Veeramani’s second consecutive term as MLA and minister. “The FIR would have been more fool proof if DVAC had considered from 2011, when so much proof is available. The assets disproportionate to the known sources of income would have been bigger,” Jayaram said.

This would also be an issue legally, Jayaram said, explaining that this way only the assets acquired illegally from 2016 could be confiscated. The social activist said the FIR as such was still strong enough for the state government to get a conviction.

In their complaint last month, Arappor had included assets such as hotels, agricultural land, cars, high-end trucks and gold declared in the names of Veeramani, his wife, children and another relative who has been named as a dependent. It also submitted evidence of several fraudulent land deals. Veeramani had then denied all allegations to TOI, stating that he came from an extremely rich family and owned highend cars even in the 1970s. “I have not lied in my affidavits,” he had told TOI then.

Report on Jaya death within a month, probe panel tells SC

Report on Jaya death within a month, probe panel tells SC

17.09.2021

The Commission of Inquiry probing the death of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that it has examined 154 witnesses so far and only four witnesses are remaining, and it will be able to submit a report within a month in the matter.

The top court on April 26, 2019, had stayed the commission's proceedings on a plea by Apollo Hospital questioning the scope of inquiry. In September 2017, the Tamil Nadu government had set up the commission headed by Justice A. Arumughaswamy (retd). A bench of Justices S. Abdul Nazeer and Krishna Murari, dealing with the application by the Tamil Nadu government asking it to vacate the stay on the proceedings of the commission, agreed to hear the case next Thursday.

Counsel appearing for the commission submitted it has examined over 154 witnesses and only four witnesses remain, and it will be in a position to submit its report within a month. The 154 witnesses, included 56 doctors attached to Apollo hospital, five doctors from AIIMS, 12 government doctors including the medical board of five doctors constituted by the Tamil Nadu government, 22 paramedical staff and other witnesses. The commission is probing the circumstances leading to the former chief minister's hospitalisation at Chennai's Apollo Hospital, and the 75 days of treatment, which culminated in her death on December 5, 2016. IANS

Pondy guv tones down vax message

Pondy guv tones down vax message

Tamilisai: I Said Necessary Not Mandatory

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Puducherry:17.09.2021

Union territory of Puducherry Lieutenant governor (additional charge) Tamilisai Soundararajan's statement on Thursday that government servants should have taken their Covid-19 vaccination before they get their salaries created a flutter. “If people want government benefits, those distributed during festivals, they should have taken their shots. How can they enjoy it if they fall sick,” asked the governor, participating in an event in Puducherry.

Civil rights' activists termed Tamilisai's comment 'unconstitutional' and cited a high court order that declared that the state cannot deny welfare schemes to the people, who have not taken the Covid vaccination. “I never said it was mandatory,” the governor told TOI. “Two months ago, I told govt servants that before they get their salaries, they should have taken the vaccination. I said 18+ students taking their examinations should have their vaccination certificates. My view is that everyone should take their shots,” she said.

At least 65% of the adult population in the Union Territory have taken their shots, said the governor. “In two weeks’ time we hope the entire UT would be vaccinated,” she said. Flagging off a cycle expedition on Thursday to create awareness among the public to get vaccinated for Covid-19 infection, the governor urged the people to extend support to the vaccination drive and make Puducherry a 100% vaccinated territory before October 2. "I strongly object to this arbitrary move by the lg. This is unconstitutional. A high court has held that the state cannot deny welfare measures for such whims. Several poor people depend on these government schemes," said civil rights' activist Saurav Das.

Das cited a Manipur high court order, which said, "State cannot seek to impose conditions upon the citizens so as to compel them to get vaccinated, be it by holding out a threat or by putting them at a disadvantage for failing to get vaccinated." "For the past one week, the vaccination drive has slackened in the Union Territory. As a doctor I am worried. The core of my talk was that if it is necessary, compel people, plead or persuade them to take their vaccination. Don’t interpret it as if it is something undemocratic. This is for the good of the people,” said the governor, adding that the number of cases were increasing again in Puducherry and that 95% of those admitted to ICU with Covid had not been vaccinated.

Public servants must work where they’re posted: HC

Public servants must work where they’re posted: HC

K.Kaushik@timesgroup.com

Madurai:17.09.2021

A public servant is liable to work wherever he is posted in the interest of public administration as transfers are incidental to the service conditions, the Madras high court has observed.

Justice D Krishnakumar observed that it is pertinent to note that transfers are imminent in respect of public servants. In certain circumstances, there may not be any evidence to prosecute the employee or to initiate departmental disciplinary proceedings. However, the competent authorities may be of the opinion that further continuance of a public servant in a particular place would cause inconvenience as well as cause some difficulties for the peaceful functioning of the public administration.

The judge observed that administrative transfers are the prerogative of the concerned department and its competent authorities are the best persons to assess and act accordingly. Only if an order of transfer is issued with malafide intention or in violation of the statutory provisions, a writ petition can be entertained. In the absence of any such legal grounds, routine administrative transfers can never be interfered with by the constitutional courts.

The court made the observations while hearing a batch of petitions filed before the HC Madurai bench in 2019, by two Railway Protection Force (RPF) constables challenging their transfer orders and consequential relieving orders. They were transferred from Golden Rock Workshop at Trichy district to Mayiladuthurai railway station in 2019.

The standing counsel for the authorities submitted that transfer orders were issued to the petitioners on administrative grounds.

City teen attempts to end life over NEET

City teen attempts to end life over NEET

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:17.09.2021

A 17-year-old girl, who recently wrote the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), tried to set herself ablaze on Thursday as she didn’t perform well in the examination, police said The girl, a resident of Guduvanchery, sustained at least 60% burns and has been admitted to the government hospital in Chengalpet. She is being attended to by a team of doctors. Police, quoting the doctors, said the girl is in a critical condition.

“The girl sat for NEET on September 12 and was stressed over the outcome. She is said to have been detached and aloof for the past couple of days and she set herself ablaze when she was alone at home in Urapakkam,” an officer said.

The Guduvanchery police, who received information from the Chengalpet GH about the girl, rushed to the hospital and held an inquiry.

On Wednesday, a 17-yearold girl from Katpadi in Vellore district ended her life fearing poor results after appearing for NEET. A day after the exam, a 17-year-old student from Ariyalur district also ended her life.

On the eve of the test, a 20-year-old man from Salem also took his life over fears that he would fail the test a third time.

(Assistance for those experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050)

Police said the 17-yearold girl from Guduvanchery tried to end her life over fears that she didn’t perform well in the test. She is being treated for burns and is said to be in a critical condition

Fresh Covid death certificate must be given in one month: HC to TN

Fresh Covid death certificate must be given in one month: HC to TN

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:17.09.2021

If a death due to Covid-19 is not recorded in the death certificate itself, an additional certificate should be made available within a month of the death, the Madras high court has said.

The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P D Audikesavalu made the observation on Thursday while disposing of a batch of PILs alleging that the cause of death wais not being appropriately recorded in death certificates, particularly in case of deaths caused by the pandemic.

When the plea came up for hearing, government pleader P Muthukumar submitted a status report on behalf of the principal secretary, health and family welfare department.

In the report, the officer referred to the guidelines issued for Covid deaths by the Union health ministry pursuant to orders of the Supreme Court.

It was indicated that based on the guidelines, the state government has instructed all collectors to form district level committees, consisting of the additional district collector, the chief medical officer, and the dean or joint director of medical and rural health services in addition to an expert, for the issuance of the official document in the format as suggested by the Union.

Recording the submission, the bench said: “It is hoped that the guidelines are strictly adhered to and the district level committee should ensure that in case of deaths which have happened on or prior to August 31, the appropriate certificates in accordance with the relevant guidelines are issued by October 31.”In the event the certificates are not issued within time or on some other untenable excuse, it will be open to the individuals affected thereby to raise the grievance before the appropriate forum in accordance with law., the court added.

‘Approach local health authorities for official document for Covid-19 death’

Chennai:

People can approach local health authorities for an “official document for Covid-19 death”, the directorate of public health said on Thursday. After orders from the Madras high court, the state health department said applicants will be given copies of forms that contain certification of deaths by doctors along with cause details. “The certificates issued by the government will not carry cause of death. But people can take a copy of doctors’ certification which will have these details,” said director of public health Dr TS Selvavinayagam, who is also the registrar of births and deaths for the state. “Health officials are following protocols declared by the centre in the declaration of Covid-19 deaths,” he said. If people want to dispute the reports issued by hospitals or doctors regarding kin’s death, they can lodge complaints to the district collectors. If district reconciliation committee thinks the death should be entered into Covid registry, it will make its recommendation, he said. TNN

To get jobs in UK, agency to train nursing students free of cost

To get jobs in UK, agency to train nursing students free of cost

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:16.09.2021

The Overseas Manpower Corporation Limited (OMCL), an agency of the state labour department, would reach out to the nursing students in the state and offer them free Occupational English Test (OET) training programmes to help them to find jobs in the UK. The agency had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Health Education England (HEE) to recruit qualified nurses under their national health service (NHS) in January 2020. However, the programme was put on hold following the Covid-19 pandemic. In order to facilitate the placement of nurses from Tamil Nadu in the hospitals in England, the corporation has planned to conduct the OET training programme for the 3rd and 4th year nursing students in their college premises, minister for labour welfare and skill development C V Ganesan told the state assembly recently.

Yet another student ends life over NEET

Yet another student ends life over NEET

Bosco.Dominique@timesgroup.com

Vellore:16.09.2021

Yet another MBBS aspirant in Tamil Nadu committed suicide fearing failure in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Neet). The student, identified as T Soundharya, 17, from a village near Katpadi in Vellore district, hanged herself from a ceiling fan hook using her mother’s sari.

She is the third student in the state to take the extreme step fearing failure in Neet, held across the country on Saturday, after Dhanush, 19, of Salem district and K Kanimozhi, 17, of Ariyalur district.

"The girl might have committed suicide between 9.30am and 9.45am today (Wednesday). Her parents were working in a nearby farm. Her mother came home in the afternoon. She found the door locked and peeped through the window to find her daughter hanging from the ceiling. She raised the alarm and sought help," said DSP (Katpadi) P Palani.

The DSP added that preliminary inquiries could not attribute any other reason for the girl ending her life than her poor performance in the test. "Based on preliminary investigation, we suspect that her fear over failure in Neet might have driven her to take the extreme step," Palani said.

Soundharya, who completed Class XII in Vellore Thottapalayam Government Girls' Higher Secondary School, scored 510 out of maximum 600 marks in the board examination. She scored 381 out of 600 marks in plus one and 413 out of 500 marks in SSLC examinations. She appeared for Neet at a centre in a private engineering college in Katpadi on September 12.

Her mother, T Rukmini, said she had been upset and sad for performing poorly in the test and had been depressed for the past two days. Rukmini and her husband, Thirunavukkarasu, are coolies working in agriculture fields. They left home for work on Wednesday morning. Soundharya's three elder sisters had gone out too. She was alone at home.

When her parents returned home, they found her hanging from the ceiling. The Latheri police registered a case. The body was sent for post-mortem examination and police began an investigation.

Stalin to decide on reopening of schools for lower classes: Minister

Stalin to decide on reopening of schools for lower classes: Minister

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

16.09.2021

School education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhion Wednesday said he has received suggestions on reopening of schools for students of lower classes.

The minister said that chief minister M K Stalin will take a call on the matter based on the expert opinion from the public health department officials. The minister was attending a local government function in Trichy.

He said that the reports of the chief educational officers (CEOs) of all the districts will be sent to the chief minister’s office to take decision on opening of schools for lower class students. There have been sporadic incidences of Covid-19 among students in the government and government-aided schools in the state after schools were reopened for higher classes.

“We have different suggestions from the CEOs. Some suggest reopening of school from Class I while some propose to reopen the schools for students of Class VI, VII and VIII. We have sent all the suggestions to the chief minister,” said Poyyamozhi. He said that the decision on the matter would be taken in the review meeting for lockdown extension for Covid-19.

Man runs over girl, tries to implicate his driver

UNDONE BY CCTV

Man runs over girl, tries to implicate his driver

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:16.09.2021

Police have arrested a man who ran over a twoand-half-year-old girl child at T Nagar and tried to implicate his driver. Ajay Subramanian was nabbed with the help of CCTV camera footage and the statement of the child’s parents. Police said Jayaraman and Chitra of Royapettah were going with son Barghav, 6, and daughter Thanshika when a car hit their bike from behind on South Boag Road and all four fell down. They were rushed to Government Royapettah Hospital from where Thanshika was shifted to a hospital in Nungambakkam where she died.

The Pondy Bazaar police were registering a case when a man surrendered, claiming responsibility.

The couple, however, said it was the wrong man and police, after checking CCTV camera footage, arrested Ajay Subramanian.

Passerby steals bag of dying accident victim on GST Road

Passerby steals bag of dying accident victim on GST Road

Cops Trying To Trace Culprit Using CCTV Footage

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:16.09.2021

Minutes after a man was run over by a car on GST Road at Tambaram early on Wednesday, another man walking by didn’t stop to help the victim lying in a pool of blood but instead stole his bag.

Police said they hoped to nab the man with the help of CCTV camera footage, which showed him walking away with the accident victim’s bag before anyone else could notice. They suspect he is a local as he was wearing a veshti and was on foot at that late hour.

The accident victim Arjun, who died on the spot, is a resident of Acharapakkam near Tambaram. He was walking home from work at a private company when he was knocked down by a car around 2.40 am. On information, the traffic investigation police arrived and sent the body to Chromepet GH for post mortem examination.

Police arrested the driver, Jayakumar of Perungalathur, who had taken his friend’s new car for a spin.

It was when the police were scanning CCTV camera footage of the accident that they noticed a person walking away with the victim’s bag "He appeared to be a pedestrian. Before others could locate the accident victim, he coolly walked away with the bag. With the help of the CCTV footage, the victim will soon be nabbed," said an investigating officer.

Local residents said the police should take steps to check speeding by motorists. Just last week five youths had died on GST Road near Tambaram when their car rammed into a lorry parked on the roadside.

CRUEL ACT: CCTV grab shows the man walking away with the accident victim's suitcase

The accident victim Arjun, who died on the spot, was walking home from work at a private company when he was knocked down by a car around 2.40 am

Thanjavur college to pay ₹10.5L to pharma supplier

Thanjavur college to pay ₹10.5L to pharma supplier

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:16.09.2021

A city civil court has directed the dean, Government Thanjavur medical college and Director of Medical Education to settle dues of ₹10.5 lakh to a Chennai-based pharmaceutical supplier for products the company supplied to the government institution a decade ago.

The proprietor moved the court after there was no response from the management after repeated requests.

According to the petition by S Prasad Kumar Jain, proprietor of Pharma Chem remedies, the dean placed order for drugs in 2009-2010. Despite supplying the drugs and providing the invoices, dues were not settled, the petitioner stated.

Since there was no response from either the dean or the Director of Medical Education, a notice was sent in December 2015 asking them to settle the due amount with interest.

After perusing the submissions from either side, the XVIII additional sessions judge, city civil court, S T Lakshmi Ramesh dismissed the contentions raised by the government counsel and decreed that the authorities are to pay an amount of ₹10.5 lakh to the pharma supplier.

Madras univ to have social justice paper in UG courses

Madras univ to have social justice paper in UG courses

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:16.09.2021

Madras University will introduce social justice as an elective paper in all undergraduate courses from 2022-23 academic year in its affiliated colleges.

A resolution to introduce the course was passed by the Syndicate of Madras University in its meeting held on Tuesday.

“Students will be taught the principles of social justice such as equity, access, diversity and participation during the course.

It will be three credit course and will be taught in a blended mode," said S Gowri, vice-chancellor of Madras University. The course will be taught in both English and Tamil.

The chairperson of board of studies in sociology was asked to prepare a detailed unit-wise syllabus, reference books based on learning outcome based on curriculum framework prescribed by University Grants Commission.

The university also decided to activate the Centre for Research on Dravidian Movement which was established in 2006.

"The state government allotted Rs3 crore to the university. But, the centre has not been active and fund was not utilised. We are planning to start research programmes at the centre," Gowri said.

The university also conducted meeting at the university on Wednesday with the history professors to revive the centre.

The vice-chancellor further said the university will invite reputed industries to jointly develop the courses specialisation in computer science, banking and pharmaceutical and other related areas for the postgraduate programmes based on learning outcome based curriculum framework (LOCF).

The Syndicate also gave its nod to the move for tune the curriculum based on industry needs.

45 students test Covid positive at Coimbatore private nursing college

45 students test Covid positive at Coimbatore private nursing college

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

16.09.2021

With 16 more students from a private nursing college in Coimbatore testing positive for Covid -19 on Wednesday, the total number of students tested positive in the college has gone up to 45.

The Coimbatore city corporation imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on the college for not following Covid norms. All the students in the college are quarantined and kept under observation.

According to public health workers, four students from Kerala returned to K G College of Nursing in Saravanampatti, Coimbatore after colleges reopened in the beginning of this month.

The hostel students were possessing Covid -19 negative certificates while entering Coimbatore. But they developed symptoms within two days of staying in the hostel.

All the four were tested positive for Covid-19 on September 07, another 25 students were tested positive in the next few days. Another 16 students were tested positive on Wednesday.

According to deputy director of health services P Aruna, the college failed to quarantine the students who came from Kerala as soon as they came to the hostel. This has led to the formation of clusters. All the students are being quarantined in the Covid care centre being operated in the college.

The Coimbatore city corporation imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on the college for not following Covid-19 guidelines

Now, state govt can transfer employees till September 30

Now, state govt can transfer employees till September 30

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Jaipur:15.09.2021

The state government has extended the time for transfer of government employees in the state by 15 days. Now transfers can be done across the state till September 30.

This is the second time that the government has extended the date. Initially, it was announced for one month from July 14 to August 14 which was extended further till September 15.

It is being told that due to non-transfer of third grade teachers till now due to the election code of conduct in six districts due to panchayat elections, the government has decided to extend this period.

TN PHC gives 50-year-old woman first and second Covid jab in matter of minutes

TN PHC gives 50-year-old woman first and second Covid jab in matter of minutes

Subsequent to the confirmation, Lakshmi was admitted to the PHC for observation and discharged on Tuesday afternoon.

Published: 15th September 2021 03:26 AM  

By Bagalavan Perier B

Express News Service

CUDDALORE/VILLUPURAM: A Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Pennadam in Cuddalore allegedly administered two doses of Covid-19 vaccine (Covishield) to a 50-year-old woman when she went to the PHC on Monday to take her first dose.

"The nurse on duty administered the first dose to my mother while talking to someone. Within a few minutes, she administered a second dose despite my mother's protest that she had just been given a dose. On learning this, I confronted the nurse, who denied having given two doses back-to-back to my mother. I then lodged a complaint with the PHC's medical officer. Some time later, health-department officials came to PHC and, after checking the dose stock, confirmed that two doses had indeed been given to my mother," said Ayyapan, son of S Lakshmi from Irula Street.

Subsequent to the confirmation, Lakshmi was admitted to the PHC for observation and discharged on Tuesday afternoon. "The health condition of Lakshmi is normal; a departmental inquiry is going on to decide on next course of action," said a senior official from the health department in Cuddalore. Lakshmi's family on Tuesday evening told TNIE that she was doing fine.

A similar incident took place on Sunday wherein a vaccination camp held on the campus of a government school near Tindivanam in Villupuram administered a third dose of Covid-19 vaccine to a 75-year-old woman from Vitlapuram. It is learnt that the woman, Kannamma, who had received her second dose a few days before, went to the camp expecting to get medical advice about her body aches post her second dose.

"My mother took her first dose in June and the second, last week. When she took the second dose, the camp organisers told us to give them our mobile phone number and Aadhaar number, promising that they would upload them to CoWin at a later date; we agreed. After the second dose, however, she started experiencing body aches. So, when she heard about the special vaccination camp on Sunday, she decided to go to it, expecting a consultation and medicine. At the camp, however, she was administered a third dose despite her informing them that she had already received two doses,"said Kannamma's son K Sivakumar.

"When I confronted the camp organisers, they apologised and suggested that I take her to a hospital. On the way, however, l saw a few doctors at a vaccination camp at Tindivanam municipality office and sought their help. They checked my mother and advised her to rest for two weeks and told us not to worry. In the past two days, a few revenue officials inquired about my mother's condition, but no health department official did so."

"Vaccination camps were organised by the health department, panchayats, and municipalities at different spots on Sunday. The camp in question was not organised by the health department; so, I am not aware of it," said Dr Jothi, Joint Director of Health Department (Villupuram and Kallakurichi).

Villupuram Collector D Mohan has promised an inquiry into the incident and to send medical experts to check on Kannama.

DMK MLA’s plea a new googly against NEET?

DMK MLA’s plea a new googly against NEET?

So, if the petitioner wins this case, it would be a big victory for the ruling DMK in its fight against NEET.

Published: 15th September 2021 03:28 AM 

NEET candidates at Asan Memorial Senior Secondary School in Chennai on Sunday. (EPS | P Jawahar)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday admitted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by DMK MLA, Dr Ezhilan Naganathan, challenging an Emergency-era Constitutional amendment insofar as it moved the subject of education from the State List to the Concurrent List.

Though the petition made no mention of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), if the plea succeeds, State governments will be able to do away with the NEET and even the National Education Policy.

On matters in the Concurrent List, the Union government has the final word and that’s why the Bill exempting Tamil Nadu from the NEET, passed by the State government on Monday, has to get Presidential approval to become a law. So, if the petitioner wins this case, it would be a big victory for the ruling DMK in its fight against NEET. If education is brought back to the State List, the State no longer has to depend on the Union government’s concurrence on the issue, a stumbling block for the Bill passed by the previous AIADMK regime.

The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice PD Audikesavalu admitted the plea on Tuesday and impleaded the Tamil Nadu government as a party-respondent in the case by itself. It ordered the notice, returnable in eight weeks, to the State and Union governments. The matter will be taken up for hearing after 10 weeks, the bench said.

‘Amendment upset federal structure’

According to the petitioner, the shifting of education from the State List to the Concurrent List by the 1976 Constitutional amendment is a violation of the basic structure doctrine. He argued the said amendment has resulted in upsetting the federal structure as originally envisaged by the Constitution framers.

“By virtue of transferring the subject of education from List II to List III, the States’ executive/legislative autonomy in the matters of education has become subservient to Union’s executive/ legislative powers,” the petitioner said. The bench observed that the subject had not been taken out of the State’s purview entirely, as it is still in the Concurrent List and not in the Union List.

Therefore, the court wondered whether this would amount to tinkering with the basic structure of the Constitution. The DMK MLA’s petition argued that the reason behind giving exclusive authority to the States on the subject of education was due to the fact that it is the State government which knows the individual needs and aspirations of the people in different areas/localities and is better placed to address the gaps in the system, and formulate policies that are tailored to their needs.

Another aspirant kills self

Days after the reported suicide of a 19-year-old NEET aspirant in Salem, a 17-year-old girl in Ariyalur district ended her life on Monday night, upset over a “difficult” question paper

DME assures doctors, says wage arrears will be paid

DME assures doctors, says wage arrears will be paid

Meanwhile, the duty doctors maintained that representations were submitted to the Collector over the payment of salary wage arrears.

Published: 15th September 2021 07:32 AM |

Nursing students stand in a queue to get themselves immunised against Covid-19 at New Government General Hospital in Vijayawada. 

(File photo | EPS/P Ravindra Babu)

By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: Director of Medical Education (DME) V Raghavendra Rao on Tuesday carried out surprise checks at New Government General Hospital (GGH). During the visit, the DME instructed the hospital staff to offer treatment to the patients within 30 minutes after they step onto the premises.Speaking on the occasion, Raghavendra Rao said steps are being taken to increase the bed strength in the hospital by extending the emergency ward.

Referring to the strike call given by the duty doctors, the DME said doctors played a crucial role and saved many lives by risking their lives during the pandemic. He further said a lot of money was spent to purchase injections for treating black fungus and other deadly diseases. “Once again the government has sanctioned funds to arrange immediate payment of salaries due to doctors. We are requesting the doctors not to take part in protests. We are assuring to provide wage arrears and regularise the services of eligible doctors besides extending all necessary support from the government,” the DME said.

Meanwhile, the duty doctors maintained that representations were submitted to the Collector over the payment of salary wage arrears. So far there was no response from the district administration over our demands. Around 200 duty doctors in the district will participate in the strike from Wednesday to press their demands, including payment of arrears and issuance of experience certificate, a doctor said.

Criminal proceedings against lawyer for misbehaviour in court

Criminal proceedings against lawyer for misbehaviour in court

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:15.09.2021

A Delhi court has directed initiation of criminal proceedings against a lawyer for allegedly misbehaving and arguing in a high-pitched voice despite repeated warnings by the judge during physical hearing in a case, while noting that the lawyer did not feel remorseful for his act.

The directions were given by additional sessions judge Shivaji Ananda after the lawyer kept arguing with the prosecutor in a “very high pitch” voice, alleging that he is making mockery of him.

When the lawyer refused to submit a written explanation on why he misbehaved and interfered in the proceedings even after his matter was over, the judge directed initiation of criminal proceedings.

“Let miscellaneous number be registered for further proceedings under sections 228 (interruption to public servant sitting in judicial proceedings) and 179 (refusing to answer public servant authorised to question)of IPC. The matter will be taken up on September 21,” the court said in the order.

According to the order, the lawyer continued to raise his voice despite repeated warnings from the judge.

The lawyer had come to the court to seek interim bail for his client for two months on the medical grounds.

Furnish info on MP medical varsity scam probe panel: HC to CS

Furnish info on MP medical varsity scam probe panel: HC to CS

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bhopal/Jabalpur:15.09.2021

A division bench of Madhya Pradesh high court on Tuesday directed the chief secretary to furnish information on constitution of a committee to probe the MP Medical University scam while deferring hearing on the petitions related to the case to October 4.

Three petitions have been filed in the high court in connection with the scam— one of them a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a judicial probe into the scam in which an Agra-based company, which was given contract to hold the exams conducted by the university and prepare marksheet of students, allegedly manipulated the marksheets of the students and changed their marks.

The second petition was filed by the company- Mind Logic Infratech Ltd— challenging the decision of the university to annul the contract with the company and the third petition was filed by the state government against the then registrar in-charge of the university.

During a joint hearing of all the three petitions— petitioners of the PIL contended that then in-charge registrar of the university Dr J K Jain had probed the allegations of scam against the company and found them prima-facie true. Not only was the marksheet of students manipulated and marks obtained by them changed, but their data was prepared not on the official site of the university but a private site, he said.

Following this, contract with the company was put in abeyance, but later, Gupta was also placed under suspension and the vice-chancellor resigned from the post.

The acting exam controller of the university, who was the first to complain against the company to higher authorities of the university has also been removed from the post. The petitioner also pointed out that Agra Medical University had filed an FIR against the company for a similar scam, yet it was given the contract by the MP Medical University.

The petitioner sought the court intervention to order a judicial probe into the scam.

Med edu curriculum in Hindi soon: Min

Med edu curriculum in Hindi soon: Min

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bhopal:15.09.2021

Medical education curriculum could soon be in Hindi in Madhya Pradesh. A committee is preparing the module and in the near future it could be offered in Hindi as an option, said MP medical education minister Vishwas Sarang, here on Tuesday on the occasion of Hindi Day.

Similar initiatives have been made at Bhopal’s Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi University but never saw the day of light after the campus of the university was shifted three years ago.

Madhya Pradesh government would offer the option of studying medicine in Hindi “in the near future”, the state medical education minister said.

“We are going to form a committee at the earliest to ensure that medical education courses (material) are prepared in Hindi as well. In the near future, we will start medical studies in Hindi too,” he said.

Vishwas Sarang said the special committee will work to prepare the course.

In Madhya Pradesh, medical students will now be taught in Hindi. The entire course will be in Hindi. The announcement was made by Medical Education Minister Vishwas Sarang. He said that today is Hindi Day. Best wishes to all. We have decided to study medicine in Hindi in Madhya Pradesh on the occasion of Hindi Day. A committee will be constituted soon.

Govt would offer the option of studying medicine in Hindi “in the near future”, state med edu minister Vishwas Sarang said

‘Aadhaar not a valid document for proof of age’

‘Aadhaar not a valid document for proof of age’

Chandigarh:15.09.2021

The Punjab and Haryana high court has made it clear that the Aadhaar card cannot be used for proof of age as no documentary details are usually sought at the time of applying for the Unique Identity Development Authority of India’s (UIDAI’s) verifiable 12-digit identification number.

Justice Amol Rattan Singh of the HC passed the order while hearing a petition filed by a runaway couple from Haryana’s Jind district. The court also ordered the state authorities to determine the actual age of the girl and take legal action if her age was found to be false.

"There is no firm proof of age of either of the petitioners other than their Aadhaar cards, which is actually no proof as no documentary proof is usually asked for at the time of applying for the Aadhaar card or the issuance thereof," the HC said. TNN

120kmph limit is dangerous, reduce it, HC orders Centre

120kmph limit is dangerous, reduce it, HC orders Centre

Chennai:15.09.2021

Flagging ‘overspeed’ on highways, the Madras high court has quashed a central notification issued in 2018, increasing the speed limit of vehicles on them from 100kmph to 120kmph.

In a recent order, the HC blamed ‘overspeeding’ for most road accidents and directed the Centre to set the speed limit as per an August 5, 2014 notification, which prescribed 80kmph as maximum speed on highways.

Refusing to accept the stand taken by the Union government that the speed limit had been fixed by an expert committee considering the improvement in the infrastructure and better engine technology of vehicles, a division bench of justices N Kirubakaran (since retired) and TV Thamilselvi said: “When overspeeding is a major cause for road accidents, it is not known as to how the improvement in road infrastructure and engine technology would reduce accidents.”

In fact, better engine technology would always be a reason for uncontrolled speed and thereby cause more accidents, the court said. It added that authorities must use modern gadgets like speed gun, speed indication display to find out the speeding vehicle and punish the driver. TNN

Madras HC does U-turn on bumper-to-bumper cover

Madras HC does U-turn on bumper-to-bumper cover

Sureshkumar.k@timesgroup.com

Chennai:15.09.2021

Madras high court on Tuesday withdrew its earlier order mandating five-year bumper-to-bumper insurance cover for all new vehicles registered from September 1.

Justice S Vaidyanathan recalled the order passed on August 4 after Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) submitted that it would consider better and fuller insurance coverage to all unfortunate victims, be it drivers, owners or gratuitous occupants or pillion riders, as the case may be.

While withdrawing his order, Justice Vaidyanathan expressed hope that lawmakers would look into the issue and examine the need for a suitable amendment to Motor Vehicles Act, relating to long-term coverage of vehicles so as to protect innocent victims.

The August 4 order made it mandatory for all vehicles sold after September 1 to have bumper-to-bumper insurance cover for five years.

Amend 3rd-party cover for car occupants: Industry

The Madras HC said the circular issued by the joint transport commissioner, Chennai, based on its earlier order on bumper-to-bumper insurance would stand cancelled.

The court issued its order in August after hearing a case where the occupants of a vehicle suffered an injury during an accident and insurance officials said they were not covered under the mandatory third-party insurance. Insurers can, however, issue a personal accident cover to occupants under a comprehensive cover.

The Madras high court on Monday heard a petition by the General Insurance Council, which sought clarification in respect of an order last month where the court had prescribed compulsory five-year bumperto-bumper insurance for new vehicles with effect from September 1, 2021. The order was, however, kept in abeyance following a petition filed by the GI Council.

According to industry officials, the court had rightly addressed the issue of insurance protection for accident victims who are in a vehicle. Industry officials said if the intention is to make coverage of vehicle occupants mandatory, the same can be done under the motor third-party cover with appropriate amendment and pricing.

Full report on www.toi.in

SC denies compassionate job to ‘divorced’ daughter

SC denies compassionate job to ‘divorced’ daughter

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:15.09.2021

It is a classic case of a conspiracy that went awfully wrong in the final stretch. A woman took divorce on mutual consent months after the death of her mother, a government employee, to get a government job on compassionate grounds but ended without the job and her husband as the Supreme Court saw through the deception.

A bench of Justices MR Shah and Aniruddha Bose denied compassionate employment to the daughter of a deceased government employee when it found that she conspiratorially annulled her marriage on mutual consent after her mother’s death with the sole aim of cornering a government job.

Petitioner V Somyashree’s mother, who was employed with the Karnataka government as a second division assistant at Mandya district treasury, died in harness on March 25, 2012. Soumyashree was married at the time of her mother’s death and hence disentitled for compassionate employment. Six months later, she initiated divorce by mutual consent and on March 20, 2013, a trial court annulled her marriage. The next day (March 21, 2013), she applied to the authorities for appointment on compassionate grounds. The authorities rejected the application. Two years later, she moved the state administrative tribunal which too rejected her claim. But the Karnataka HC set aside the tribunal’s order and directed state government to consider giving her appointment on compassionate grounds. The state appealed against it before the SC.

Allowing the appeal, the SC bench said, “The chronology of dates and events would suggest that only for the purpose of getting appointment on compassionate grounds, the decree of divorce by mutual consent has been obtained. Otherwise, as a married daughter she was not entitled to the appointment on compassionate grounds.”

In blow to WB ‘organiser teachers’, SC says let qualified people teach primary students

Let qualified persons teach students in primary classes,” the Supreme Court said on Tuesday, refusing to entertain petitions seeking appointment of ‘organiser teachers’, who worked on the basis of a rule that was abrogated 40 years ago to spread education in the rural hinterland of West Bengal, as primary teachers, reports Dhananjay Mahapatra. Refusing to entertain petitions filed by organiser teachers and their associations, a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Vikram Nath and BV Nagarathna said, “Today qualified teachers are available. Organiser teachers don’t meet the qualification criteria prescribed by National Council for Teacher Education.”

Postmortem report can’t be sole basis for conviction: SC

AmitAnand.Choudhary@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:15.09.2021

Holding that a person cannot be convicted merely on the basis of postmortem report, the Supreme Court on Tuesday acquitted a man who was sentenced to life imprisonment for unnatural death of his wife and quashed trial court and Patna high court order convicting him on the basis of medical report which said that she died of throttling.

A bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and Abhay S Oka said the guilt of the accused has not been established beyond a reasonable doubt and the circumstances established by the prosecution do not lead to only one possible inference regarding the guilt of the accused. The court also noted that there was no eyewitnesses in the case and the relationship between the husband and wife was not strained to indicate any foul play on his behalf.

In this case, the husband contended that she died of burn injuries as she caught fire while cooking and family members tried their best to douse the fire. The prosecution, however, rubbished his claim as the autopsy report said the death was due to asphyxia. Going by the findings of a post-mortem report, the trial court and the HC convicted him and awarded life imprisonment. Examining statements of all witnesses and evidence, the apex court said the guilt of the accused was not proved beyond doubt and acquitted him. “In this case, neither the prosecution witnesses have deposed to that effect nor any other material has been placed on record to show that the relationship between the appellant and the deceased was strained in any manner. Moreover, the appellant was not the only person residing in the house where the incident took place and it is brought on record that the parents of the appellant were also present on the date of the incident in the house. Therefore, it can be said that the facts established do not rule out the existence of any other hypothesis,” said Justice Oka who penned the verdict.

Another MBBS aspirant ends life a day after NEET

Another MBBS aspirant ends life a day after NEET

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ariyalur:15.09.2021

An MBBS aspirant in Ariyalur district, who appeared for the national eligibility cum entrance test (NEET) on Sunday, was found hanging at her house late on Monday. The deceased has been identified as K Kanimozhi, 17. The girl’s father Karunanidhi is a lawyer practising in Jayankondam court.

Kanimozhi allegedly ended her life at her house at Thularankurichi near Udayarpalayam over fear of failure in the test, when her parents were attending a function at Ariyalur. Her elder sister is a student at a private college in Perambalur. Her family took her body to their native at Sathambadi in Ariyalur district, where her final rites were conducted in the evening.

Sathambadi panchayat president Thanga Ravichandran said that the girl was a student of a private school at Namakkal and had scored 562 out of 600 in Class XII board examinations. Her score in Class X was 469 out of 500. She appeared sad after appearing for NEET at a centre in Thanjavur as she had apprehension that she may not clear NEET.

Udayarpalayam police took up the investigation.

It is the second such suicide in the state in the last two days. Dhanush, 19, of Mettur in Salem district had ended his life before appearing for NEET.

Chief minister M K Stalin expressed shock over the death of Kanimozhi and he sought to drive away NEET through legal means. “I assure the students and their parents that there will be no compromise on abolishing NEET with the consent of the president of India,” said the CM. The chief minister also said that impersonation, question paper leak and malpractices at the coaching centres proved that NEET is not an exam that weighs the eligibility of the students.

Registering his condolence, former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami asked the DMK to put an end to the ‘political drama’ over NEET and explain the reality to the students. The former CM also demanded the state government to provide counselling for the MBBS aspirants after appearing for NEET.

Former chief minister O Panneerselvam said that it was disheartening that the students were taking such extreme steps, while all political parties in the state were raising pitch against the NEET.

Calling it an unfortunate event, which should not happen to any student in future, TMC president G K Vasan MP said that political parties should not give any false hope to the students and their parents by politicising education.

MDMK general secretary Vaiko demanded the central government to give consent to the anti-NEET bill tabled by the DMK government. “NEET imposed by the BJP cost the lives of 15 students in Tamil Nadu. The Constitution of India has vested the state government with the power of enacting a law over education in the concurrent list for protecting the interest of the state,” said Vaiko.

No additional seats as NMC won’t inspect colleges due to Covid

No additional seats as NMC won’t inspect colleges due to Covid

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:15.09.2021

Increase of 100 additional seats sought for a government medical college in Coimbatore and nearly 300 additional seats sought by at least three self-financing colleges and deemed universities will not be added to the seat matrix this year as the National Medical Council’s medical assessment and rating board (MARB) has said it will not be able to send teams to inspect these colleges due to Covid-19.

The directorate of medical education had sought to increase seats in Coimbatore Medical College from 150 to 250 as part of the plan to increase strength in existing medical colleges. Others including SRM Medical College and Chennai Medical College Trichy had applied for an increase of at least 100 seats each. Approval for additional seats is granted after a detailed inspection by the NMCappointed committee.

The commission, which sent teams for inspection at the peak of the second wave to most colleges including to the 11 new institutions in TN until the second week of August, denied inspections later. In the last week of August, it wrote to medical colleges and state governments saying applications for increase of seats for 2021-22 will be carried to the next academic year.

The letter said applications for increase in seats can’t be processed due to constraints of sending assessors to physically inspect colleges. Sources said the members discussed the possibility of permitting all applicants to admit students for this year but decided not to do so without physical assessment of infrastructure and faculty.

Most medical colleges, which had created infrastructure and appointed additional faculty, were disappointed. One of them even moved the Madras high court seeking intervention. On September 8, Justice N Anand Venkatesh said records show NMC inspections were held until May 19 but cited “prevailing pandemic situation” in a letter dated August 27 to postpone inspection. The court, he said, “Is not convinced with the reason … since the situation has not worsened after 19.06.2021.” Posting the case for Wednesday, the court asked NMC to explain if there is any scope for conducting another inspection to decide on the college’s request.