It’s 2015 all over again for folks in Pattalam

It’s 2015 all over again for folks in Pattalam

Komal.Gautham@timesgroup.com

At Demellows Road in Pattalam, one of 250-odd streets in an area housing more than 50,000 residents, the scenes on Wednesday brought back memories of the 2015 floods boats ferrying people to safety, some wading through knee-deep water to buy essentials, others moving out with their belongings. On Pulianthope High Road, a few km away, similar scenes played out as the civic body has been unable to drain out water after more than 72 hours. The situation was same at Subramania Nagar in Kodambakkam, Bazullah Road in T Nagar, Seethammal Colony in Alwarpet, parts of Madipakkam, Kolathur and Rajaji Nagar in Villivakkam.

In Pattalam, Perambur and Pulianthope, storm water drains constructed 30 years ago haven’t been repaired, replaced or de-silted for decades. “It is not just lack of funds. These areas are densely populated and to take up a project on a large scale, it requires a lot of time and road traffic blocks,” said an official.

At Bazullah Road and surrounding areas, the culprit is the Mambalam canal.

S Janakarajan, former professor of the Madras Institute of Development Studies, said design doesn’t mean just connecting drains with canals. “They should be designed to carry the water run-off from a 500sqm area.”

BAD MEMORIES: Pattalam has been under water for three days

Chennai reels under heavy rain, depression to cross coast today

Chennai reels under heavy rain, depression to cross coast today

Landfall Likely Near North Of Puducherry

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:`11.11.2021

Heavy rain that started battering the city and its suburbs late on Wednesday may continue on Thursday as the depression that has intensified over the Bay of Bengal is likely to cross the coast close to north of Puducherry and south of Andhra on Thursday evening. As of late Wednesday, the depression was around 430km east-southeast of Chennai and 420km east-southeast of Puducherry.

Several areas in Chennai continued to be inundated by rain water on Wednesday.

N Puviarasan, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, IMD, said the system is likely to bring thunderstorms with very to very heavy rain in a few places and isolated extremely heavy rain in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Chengalpet. “There will be more rain than wind. Surface winds on land close to the coast will be at 30kmph and there won’t be much wind in the interior areas. After it crosses the coast, it will weaken,” Puviarasan said.

The official said the intensity of rainfall in the interior districts of Tamil Nadu may be less and alerts issued for Puducherry, Cuddalore and delta districts have been withdrawn as chances of heavy rainfall in these districts are low. “Unlike cyclones, which have a centre, a depression doesn’t have one. The location of its crossing changes according to cloud formation,” he added. As on Wednesday, around 30 locations remained flooded, and the civic body has sanctioned ₹20 lakh for all 200 wards to buy food for people and arrange machinery for flood relief.

At 97, WWII veteran wins battle for disability pension

At 97, WWII veteran wins battle for disability pension

Yeshika.Budhwar@timesgroup.com

Jaipur: 11.11.2021 

Sepoy Balwant Singh, a 97-year-old World War II veteran from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, won a long personal battle on Tuesday when a military tribunal allowed him the government’s war disability pension that was denied to him for the past five decades. He lost his left leg in a landmine blast while fighting with the Indian contingent for the Allied forces in Italy on December 15, 1944, and was discharged two years later on a basic pension reserved for soldiers invalided out of service for war wounds.

Singh, enlisted in 3/1 Punjab Regiment in1943 and transferred to Rajputana Rifles following his return from WWII, had applied for a pension that the government introduced in 1972, guaranteeing “100% of the last salary drawn” to Indian soldiers discharged from service because of wounds in various wars since Independence. However, soldiers who lost their limbs or were maimed for life fighting in the two World Wars were excluded from this retirement scheme. More than 2.5 million Indians fought in WWII alone.

A New Delhi bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal — taking over the case from its Jaipur unit that was hearing it since 2010 — ruled in favour of the nonagenarian soldier on Tuesday. An administrative member from Chennai said Singh would get 100% pension from 2008 along with arrears, which is prior to three years before he filed the case.

Singh’s counsel Col (retired) S B Singh said the WWII veteran and his family were delighted with the news. “Balwant Singh’s disability is100% as he lost his left leg. We are happy that he got at least some of the dues denied to him.”

Singh served in the pre-Independence Indian Army for three years, two months and 16 days before he was retired prematurely for having lost a leg. His son Subhash Singh said he was happy with the tribunal’s decision, but the family could have done better had the state come forward to help it. “We live in a village and knew nothing about the pension for the battle-wounded. We came to know of it only after the Kargil War (summer 1999),” he said.

Sepoy Balwant Singh had lost his left leg in a landmine blast while fighting with the Indian contingent for the Allied forces in Italy in 1944, and was discharged two years later on a basic pension reserved for soldiers invalided out of service for war wounds

MEA denies permission to Kerala babus for UAE visit

MEA denies permission to Kerala babus for UAE visit

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Thiruvananthapuram:11.11.2021

The Centre has denied political clearance for Kerala principal secretary (industries) K ellangovan and the department’s director S Harikishore to travel to the UAE for supervision of Kerala’s preparations to set up a pavilion at the Dubai World Expo.

The state had sought clearance from the ministry of external affairs for the officials to visit the expo venue from November 10 to 12 to supervise the state’s preparations. The ministry informed the state that the officials could visit the venue in the first week of December, if required.

Industries minister P Rajeeve protested against the Centre’s decision to deny travel clearance for an event in which Kerala wants to put its best foot forward.

The Kerala pavilion at Dubai World Expo will be open from December 24 to January 6, showcasing its industrial and tourism potential. The expo began on October 1 and will continue till March 31 next year, giving every participating country a chance to portray its best attributes. India's pavilion is being overseen by the ministry of external affairs and the ministry of industries and commerce.

‘Dependent parents no excuse to not pay wife maintenance’

‘Dependent parents no excuse to not pay wife maintenance’

High Court Orders Petitioner To Pay Wife ₹20,000 Every Month

Ajay.Sura@timesgroup.com

Chandigarh:11.11.2021

The Punjab and Haryana high court has made it clear that a person cannot be absolved of the liability to maintain his estranged wife and minor children on the ground that he is responsible for his parents who are entirely dependent on him.

“Even if the parents of the petitioner are dependent upon him, it will not absolve him of his liability to maintain his wife and the minor children. The wife and minor children are entitled to reasonable standards of living which are commensurate with the income and status of the petitioner,” Justice Vivek Puri held while dismissing a petition filed by a resident of Haryana’s Kaithal district, who is presently serving as a constable in the Border Security Force (BSF).

The petitioner had challenged the legality and validity of the order dated September 21, 2021, passed by the principal judge, family court, Hisar, through which he was ordered to pay Rs 20,000 every month as maintenance to his estranged wife and their two minor children.

The family court had passed the orders after allowing the application filed by the wife under Section 125 of CrPC seeking maintenance allowance. The wife had argued that she does not have any independent source of income. It was stated that the petitioner is an employee of BSF and earns Rs 47,332 per month. According to the wife, she also has the responsibility of two minor daughters.

The couple in this case was married for a long time and had two daughters. A matrimonial dispute had cropped up between them and both were residing separately.

Aggrieved from the family court orders, the petitioner had approached the HC. His main argument was that his parents are dependent upon him and the interim maintenance awarded by the family court in favour of the wife was on the higher side. He also argued that his wife is a skilled lady having qualifications from ITI.

After hearing the petition, the high court dismissed the husband’s plea observing that the order of the family court cannot be termed to be excessive or not commensurate with the income of the petitioner and does not warrant any interference by this court. With this, the petitioner has to pay Rs 20,000 per month to the wife as per the family court orders.

HP to get 2nd state university, panel to work out modalities

HP to get 2nd state university, panel to work out modalities

Shimla: 11.11.2021

Himachal Pradesh is going to have its second state university with the cabinet on Monday deciding to constitute a committee under the chairmanship of chief secretary to work out the modalities to set up a state university at Mandi. Himachal Pradesh University at Shimla was established on July 22, 1970, and after a wait of 51 years now, the government has decided to have another state university that will directly benefit the students of Mandi, Kullu, Kangra, Hamirpur, Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba districts as students of these districts will not have to travel much distance for higher education. Having two state universities will also increase postgraduation seats and students will be able to take admission easily as they will not have to go to private universities. At the same time, thousands of students of Himachal Pradesh will not have to go to other states for the higher education.

Geographically, Mandi is situated in the middle of Himachal Pradesh. Students from tribal areas will be benefited the most with the opening of second university of the state in here. Students from the districts like Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti, which lie on the other end of Shimla, will make find it easier to pursue higher education. TNN

Haryana decides to recruit staff for varsities through HPSC, HSSC

Haryana decides to recruit staff for varsities through HPSC, HSSC

Oppn Targets Govt Over Issue Of Autonomy

Manvir.Saini@timesgroup.com

Chandigarh: 11.11.2021

In an unprecedented move, which has put the ruling BJP-JJP combine in the firing line, the government has decided to carry out recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff of all the universities through the Haryana Public Service Commission and Haryana Staff Selection Commission.

The higher education department issued a formal notification related to this on Monday. This has not only triggered unrest among staffers of universities, but has also made the opposition to train guns on the government while terming the move as “ending the autonomy of universities” in the violation of statutes.

Notably, there are eight state government-run universities in Haryana. In all the state universities, there is an issue of shortage of teaching as well as non-teaching staff.

“Universities are an autonomous bodies and they have capable staff and experts to conduct their own recruitment. And committees are constituted for this purpose. Now, this order will certainly have government’s direct interference into the affair. This would prove costly for all,” said a senior professor of MDU.

“This is the biggest blunder which the BJP-JJP government has made on the lines of Union government which has ruined the autonomy of internationally acclaimed universities like JNU. All this is being done to give a backdoor entry to their favourite and choicest candidates or party loyals. This will ultimately ruin Haryana universities as well,” said Rohtak and Jhajjar MLA B B Batra and Geeta Bhukkal at Chandigarh. Aftab Ahmed, deputy leader of opposition, said this way, the government has shown complete disrespect to the Constitution of India.

Haryana education minister Kanwar Pal Gujjar defended the decision. “The government has not taken away anybody’s autonomy. We have just dealt with the recruitment part and this will give more support to universities and they will work more independently,” said Gujjar.

Sources said for group-B posts, universities will send requisition to HPSC. HPSC will conduct examinations and interview for these posts and the list of selected candidates recommended would be sent to the university for appointment.

“For this, the statutes/service rules of the university are to be amended. In case of the registrar, the statutes may be amended to provide for a search-cum-selection committee consisting of the vicechancellor as chairperson, one expert each to be nominated by the HPSC, Haryana State Higher Education Council, state government and Executive Council of the University,” said the higher education department said in its orders to all the vice-chancellors of the universities under it.

For group C and D posts, the universities will send requisitions to Haryana Staff Selection Commission. HSSC will conduct examination and the list of selected candidates recommended will be provided to the university for appointment. And for the post of assistant professor (in case examination are proposed to be held), the university will send requisition to HPSC, which will conduct examination and the list of candidates with the marks obtained in the examination would be provided to the university.

The government has not taken away anybody’s autonomy. We have just dealt with the recruitment part and this will give more support to universities and they will work more independently

Kanwar Pal Gujjar | HARYANA EDUCATION MINISTER

Sacking orders for re-employed staff

TO BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY

Sacking orders for re-employed staff

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chandigarh:11.11.2021

The Punjab government on Tuesday ordered immediate termination of services of all officers and officials re-employed after retirement, except law officers.

There was a demand from the employees union that those re-employed should be removed immediately so that the junior officials get the opportunity of promotion to higher posts and youngsters could get jobs against vacant positions. The personnel department in its letter addressed to all the department heads informed that services of all the retired officers and other employees re-employed on contract or other basis at their level with the approval of the personnel department should be terminated immediately. “Only re-appointed law officers will be exempt from these instructions,” said the personnel department.

In another decision, while implementing recommendations of the 6th Punjab Pay Commission, the state government on Tuesday issued the notification for grant of Rs 1,000 per month as fixed medical allowance to all its pensioners and family pensioners. This decision will be effective from July 1 this year. The fixed medical allowance was Rs 500 per month earlier.

The finance department also issued a notification on Tuesday increasing the dearness relief to pensioners and family pensioners from 17% to 28% with effect from November 1. “The decision regarding release of arrears shall be taken later,” reads the notification.

Over 50% of dental PG seats still unfilled

Over 50% of dental PG seats still unfilled

Rema.Nagarajan@timesgroup.com

11.11.2021

With just a day to go for admissions to post-graduate seats in dental medicine and more than half the seats remaining unfilled, the association of private medical and dental colleges on Tuesday appealed to the Dental Council of India and the government to reduce the cut-off percentile so that more candidates could become eligible for admission.

The colleges are also hoping that the November 10 deadline for admissions will be extended.

Roughly 10-12% of dental post graduate (MDS) seats have been going vacant every year since 2018. In 2015, there were no takers for almost 44% of seats, but the vacancies have reduced since then.

Of the 6,658 MDS seats for which NEET PG entrance was conducted, only 2,950 (44%) were filled as on November 8, pointed out a dental council member adding that colleges were hoping for a reduction in qualifying percentile as was done in earlier years.

“This year, out of 27,580 candidates who took the entrance, going by the qualifying cut-off 16,300 qualified. That’s a ratio of barely 1.5 candidates per seat. However, according to the government’s 2017 gazette notification, if the number of qualifying candidates in the respective categories is less than three times the number of seats or vacancies, the cut-off percentile will be automatically lowered to ensure that the number of eligible candidates will be at least three times the number of seats in each category,” explained Dr Keshav Agrawal of the Association of Private Medical and Dental Colleges. Hence, the colleges are expecting a reduction in the qualifying percentile. In 2019, the qualifying percentile had been reduced from 50th to 25.8th for general category, and from 40th to 15.8th for OBC/SC/ST.

Private dental colleges want NEET to be done away with as it is proving to be a barrier in filling seats despite lowering of cut-off, said a DCI member, adding that the council was not entirely happy about lowering standards.

The member added that despite a freeze on opening any more private dental colleges, there are over 27,200 BDS seats and 6,658 MDS seats. Out of the total MDS seats, less than 900 are in government colleges. Out of 320 dental colleges, less than 60 are government ones.

“There are way too many private dental colleges offering bachelor’s degree in dentistry (BDS) and MDS seats. This has led to a glut and most dentists have no job opportunities.

The jobs they get mostly pay very poor salaries, Rs 15,000-20,000 per month. In fact, most BDS graduates prefer to do post-graduation in disciplines such as hospital administration or public health as these offer more job opportunities and better paid options than investing in a far more expensive postgraduate degree in dentistry,” explained a BDS graduate who did a post-graduation in public health after failing to get a decent paying job as a dentist.

“The seats in non-clinical subjects such as public health dentistry, oral pathology and oral medicine are the ones that usually have no takers. We have proposed to the government to allow us to take BDS graduates to fill these seats so that there will not be a shortage of faculty in dental colleges in the future,” said Dr Agrawal.

Madras HC chief justice shifted to Meghalaya HC

Madras HC chief justice shifted to Meghalaya HC

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:11.11.2021

Bringing to an end the eventful tenure of Sanjib Banerjee as Chief Justice of the Madras high court, the Supreme Court collegium has recommended his transfer to the Meghalaya high court. Justice Banerjee was sworn in as chief justice just over 10 months ago — on January 4, 2021.

Though the transfer order is dated September 16, it was released officially only on Tuesday. The collegium also recommended transfer of Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari, a judge in the Allahabad high court, to the Madras high court.

Justice Banerjee, who completed 60 years on November 2, has two more years of service left. From the 75-judge chartered high court, Chief Justice Banerjee is moving to a high court which at present has two judges.

In his 10-month stint as chief justice, Banerjee had penned several significant rulings. In April 2021, the first bench headed by Chief Justice Banerjee lambasted the Election Commission of India for failing to maintain Covid-19 protocols during campaigns for the Tamil Nadu assembly election and had said the “ECI should be put upon murder charges for being the most irresponsible institution (sic)”. He had also warned of stalling the election if protocol was not followed. Though the ECI went to the Supreme Court to expunge the observations made by him, the apex court had refused to oblige.

In July, the judge, while sitting at the Madurai bench of the court, chastised the state government for not booking anyone in connection with the Sterlite police firing in which 13 protesters were killed. “Can we kill people and throw money at them and say that our job is done?” his bench had asked.

Justice Banerjee has two years of service left. From the 75-judge chartered high court, he is moving to a high court which at present has two judges

Prayer of 12 years snuffed out in smoke-filled ICU

Prayer of 12 years snuffed out in smoke-filled ICU

Jamal Ayub & Sudeept Mishra TNN

Bhopal:11.11.2021

Raees and Irfana Ahmed’s 12-year prayer for a child was answered last week. They named him Rahil. After eight days of hospitalization, the baby was scheduled for discharge on Tuesday. The house was decked up for the homecoming.

A discharge sheet signed on Tuesday – but it was a death certificate. “I did not let my wife see our baby’s body. I could identify him but his skin had blackened due to the smoke that engulfed the ward after the fire,” said Raees, struggling to get each word out.

Raees is from Nasrullah Ganj in Sehore district, some 100 km from Bhopal. His first born was referred to the state’s largest tertiary care hospital in the state capital with breathing difficulties.

His mother was with the baby till around 8.30pm. The couple was excited and had made plans for the child’s homecoming. Then, disaster struck.

A fire broke out in the paediatric ICU, and the attendants and patients’ kin were ordered to move out. They resisted, pleading to be allowed to take their children to safety. But the security staff would hear none of it. Firefighting and rescue were to be left to the professionals.

Rahil’s maternal uncle, Rashid, told TOI that when the fire erupted, he had gone home to have dinner. “Irfana called me about the fire in the baby ward. I rushed back and went into the hospital building. It was dark and I tried to find my way with the help of a mobile torchlight. Only 4-5 hospital staff were present, along with seven to eight family members of the babies. Together, we rescued seven to eight babies and shifted them to another ward,” said Rashid.

Raees was all cut up on Tuesday as he waited to collect the little bundle at the mortuary. “My baby was going to be discharged. I should have been allowed to rescue him. After 12 years, when the Almighty finally answered our prayers for a child, he was snatched from us,” ,” he sobbed. “We are in deep shock,” said Rashid.

A newborn baby being shifted to another hospital after fire in Kamala Nehru hospital on Tuesday

Investigation Is Progressing: NTA Informs Kerala High Court In Alleged NEET- OMR Scam

Investigation Is Progressing: NTA Informs Kerala High Court In Alleged NEET- OMR Scam

Hannah M Varghese 8 Nov 2021 6:00 PM

The National Testing Agency (NTA), on Monday informed the Kerala High Court that it has initiated a probe into the alleged incident of manipulation in the NEET-UG OMR sheet.

Justice N Nagaresh after recording the same directed NTA to file its report soon. The matter will be taken up again on November 16.

When the petition came up for hearing, Advocate S Nirmal appearing for NTA informed the court that a Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of the Joint Director to conduct an investigation.

It was further informed that three eminent professors from IIT were also included in the Committee.

The court then enquired as to when the investigation will be over. The counsel replied that the Committee has heard the parties, including the petitioner. He added that the investigation was progressing and the report will be filed soon.

NTA made the submission on the petition filed by a candidate in the NEET UG 2021 exam, conducted on September 12, seeking a CBI probe into the alleged manipulation.

The petitioner alleged that in the OMR sheet, her signature was seen to be manipulated and the names of her mother and father were wrong. She further contended that the markings on the OMR sheet were not hers. It was added that her roll number in the numerical section did not tally with the bubbled portion.

The petitioner also raised serious doubts over the left-hand thumb impression seen in the OMR sheet. Based on these allegations, the Court had ordered a probe by NTA.

Case Title: Rithu Sibi v. Union of India & Ors.

No foreign funds for NGOs if purpose not declared: SC

No foreign funds for NGOs if purpose not declared: SC

AmitAnand.Choudhary@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:11.11.2021

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said NGOs should not be allowed to receive foreign funds if the donor did not declare the purpose for which the money is to be spent and said the Centre has diluted the intent of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) by not insisting on such a provision.

A bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and C T Ravikumar said as per Section 8 of the Act, disclosure has to be made at the outset regarding the purpose for which a contribution has been made and asked the Centre to make its stand clear on the issue.

Section 8 says every person who is registered and granted a certificate or given prior permission under the Act and receives any foreign contribution, shall utilise such contribution for the purposes for which the contribution has been received.

Referring to the section, the bench said the purpose of the contribution has to be disclosed and only then would inflow of funds be allowed. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta contended that an NGO can use the fund for activities for which they are registered which could be social, cultural, religious purposes.

SEEKING TRANSPARENCY

HC: Things can be set right if one officer is sent to jail

DISREGARD FOR COURT ORDERS

HC: Things can be set right if one officer is sent to jail

BBMP Ordered To Raze Illegal Structure In Two Weeks

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:11.11.2021

Reiterating its strong disapproval of government officers’ tendency to take court orders lightly, the high court on Tuesday said the situation may improve if one officer is sent to jail for disobeying them, as a test case.

If one officer is sent to jail, everyone will fall in line, a division bench headed by chief justice Ritu Raj Awasthi orally observed after noticing gross delay and inaction on the part of BBMP in relation to demolition of an illegal structure in Sriramapura put up by a temple trust, despite a specific court order passed on February 5, 2020 to complete the task within six weeks.

The bench noted that the fourth respondent (Sri Ramachandra Swamy temple trust) has not moved any application for grant of time to undertake removal of the illegal construction and added it was the responsibility of BBMP to ensure the demolition.

“Counsel for BBMP informed us that a certain portion of the illegal construction has been removed. But some part hasn’t. We are surprised as to why the illegal construction has not been demolished. We direct BBMP to complete the demolition within two weeks, failing which its chief commissioner along with all authorities concerned shall be present before the court so that they may be proceeded against for deliberate noncompliance of the court order,” the bench observed.

On February 5, 2020, the court had recorded based on BBMP’s submission that the illegal structure consists of two parts — the first floor measuring 15.5 x 9.45 metre and sheet room which measures 4.7 x 7.4 metre. Though the Palike had claimed it needs to prepare an expenditure estimate and obtain sanction for demolition, the court had noted that since there is an order under sub-section (3) of Section 321 of Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976, and another under Section 462 of the Act was passed on January 20, 2020, no further nod was required.

Docs remove 222 fibroids from 34-yr-old’s uterus

Docs remove 222 fibroids from 34-yr-old’s uterus

Woman Was Anaemic, Waited 1 Yr For Surgery

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:11.11.2021

A 34-year-old woman who suffered from acute pelvic pain for at least one year has got a new lease of life after doctors from the city removed 222 fibroids, totally weighing 2.2kg, from her uterus.

Media professional Ritika underwent a four-and-a-half-hour surgery on October 6, and doctors at Sakra World Hospital preserved her uterus. Ritika’s uterus was found to be enlarged (the size of an 8-month pregnant woman’s), causing a bulge in her lower abdomen.

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous, estrogen-dependent tumours, usually occurring at child-bearing age. They cause anaemia and in Ritika’s case, her haemoglobin level had fallen to 7 grams per decilitre as against the normal of 12 to 15.

Though she experienced typical symptoms of pain, excessive bleeding and abnormal menstrual cycles, she delayed consulting doctors due to Covid fear.

Dr Shantala Thuppanna, senior consultant, head of obstetrics and gynaecology, Sakra World Hospital, who operated on Ritika, said uterine fibroids are common in approximately 40-50% women. But only a few have symptoms. “In Ritika’s case, she was anaemic and faced heavy bleeding despite practising yoga daily and maintaining an active lifestyle. She had waited for about one year to undergo the surgery due to the pandemic,” said Dr Shantala.

During the operation, doctors found that the fibroids — of various sizes and shapes (one resembling a large cauliflower) — were located below the urinary bladder and were spread throughout the left side of her uterus. “The fibroids were near important structures in the abdomen, which made the surgery complicated as they appeared like bunches of grapes. We were able to remove all the fibroids in her uterus that appeared compressed in the MRI scan, without any complications,” explained Dr Shantala.

According to the doctor, uterine fibroids are made of muscle and fibrous tissue, and vary in size and shape. The symptoms include pelvic pain, abnormal menstrual cycles, and sometimes even abortion, premature delivery, bulge in tummy, and urine and motion disturbance.

“They sometimes go away on their own. However, when left untreated, these fibroids can grow in size and numbers, resulting in worsening of the symptoms and causing further complications, including anaemia and infertility,” she said, adding initial symptoms must not be ignored.

The media professional underwent a four-and-a-half-hour surgery on October 6, and doctors at Sakra World Hospital preserved her uterus. Though she experienced symptoms of pain, excessive bleeding and abnormal menstrual cycles, she delayed consulting doctors due to Covid fear

MP couple lose boy born after 12yrs in ICU fire

MP couple lose boy born after 12yrs in ICU fire

Jamal Ayub & Sudeept Mishra TNN

Bhopal:11.11.2021

A couple who waited 12 years for a child took the baby back home, dead, just a week after birth. A father of twins ran about in tears, seeking to know their fate, only to learn in the wee hours that one of them was dead and the other critical.

The grandmother and aunt of another newborn fainted on seeing his blackened body, with his plastic crib apparently melted on the skin .

Bhopal’s Kamala Nehru Hospital was torn by heartrending scenes a day after a fire in the paediatric ICU killed four babies.

‘Brought kids to hospital 2 hours before fire broke out’

Ankush Yadav staggered as he carried a cardboard box in his arms on Tuesday morning. It contained the remains of one of his twin daughters, born less than 12 hours before the fire broke out. At night, he was told the other twin had died too. They were the first-borns of Rachna and Ankush. “I brought them to Kamala Nehru Hospital in the evening, barely two hours before the fire broke out,” said Ankush, who runs a grocery shop.

Ankush switched two hospitals — one of them asked for Rs 10 lakh — before landing up at Kamala Nehru where the twins were admitted to the ICU. “On Monday night, a doctor asked me to bring an injection that costs Rs 8,000. I went back to verify the name of the injection when the fire erupted around 8.30pm,” Ankush said.

Travel booster: 96 countries to sign vax cert pact with India

Travel booster: 96 countries to sign vax cert pact with India

UK, EU Nations In Long List; Talks On With More

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:11.11.2021

In a big boost to international travel, 96 countries — including US, UK, many European and Middle East nations — have agreed to mutual recognition of Covid-19 vaccination certificates with India, health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday.

The government continues to be in communication with more countries so that beneficiaries of the world’s “largest Covid vaccination programme are accepted and recognised”, thereby easing travel for education, business and tourism purposes, Mandaviya said in a statement.

The move will ease travel for those vaccinated with Indian-manufactured Covishield and Covaxin. The countries include Canada, Turkey and Australia as well. Canada has sought an application from Covaxin to approve it, even as WHO’s emergency use approval has boosted the vaccine’s international acceptability.

“At present, 96 countries have agreed to mutual recognition of vaccination certificates and also those [countries] who recognise Indian vaccination certificates of travellers fully vaccinated with Covishield/WHO approved/ nationally approved Covid vaccines,” the government statement said.

Consecutively, persons travelling from these countries are provided certain relaxations as enunciated in the health ministry’s guidelines on international arrivals issued on October 20, 2021, the ministry said. For those who wish to travel abroad, the international travel vaccination certificate can also be downloaded from the CoWIN portal.

A couple reunite at Newark airport on Monday after US relaxed curbs

No vax shot, no entry at Ajanta caves

The district disaster management authority (DDMA) for Aurangabad has decided to aggressively assist the endeavour to push up vaccination coverage in the district by making it mandatory for visitors to tourist places, like the Ajanta-Ellora caves, to have taken at least one Covid vaccine dose.

MEA in touch with all countries: Min

Many countries from Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and the Caribbean islands have agreed to recognize Covid-19 certificates with India.

“The ministry of health along with the ministry of external affairs is in continuous communication with all countries for mutual recognition of vaccine certificates, and WHO and nationally approved vaccines to facilitate hassle-free international travel across countries,” the minister said. “The government’s commitment to accelerate the pace and expandthe scope of Covid-19 vaccination across the country has resulted in crossing the 100 crore milestone in administration of doses on October 21, 2021,” he stated.

Red alert for Chennai, coastal dists; 2-day leave for schools and colleges

Red alert for Chennai, coastal dists; 2-day leave for schools and colleges

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:11.11.2021

The low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal may soon concentrate into a depression and bring widespread rainfall across Tamil Nadu for the next few days, the Meteorological department said on Tuesday, issuing red alert for Chennai and other coastal districts of the state.

The department has sounded red alert for Chennai on Thursday, and for one more day for the other coastal districts.

The government has declared holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpet, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, and Mayiladuthurai districts on Wednesday and Thursday.

While Nungambakkam received 11.1mm rainfall, airport recorded 1.9mm rain on Tuesday.

The weather system is likely to bring extremely heavy rainfall on Wednesday at isolated places over delta districts, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Pudukottai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram and Puducherry and Karaikal. On Thursday, extremely heavy rain may be recorded in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Chengelpettu, Villupuram and Tiruvannamalai. “Rainfall will be mostly in the night. After November 11, rain will reduce significantly,” said IMD area cyclone warning centre director N Puviarasan. Many interior and western districts may also receive heavy to very heavy spells for two days.

Revenue and disaster management minister KKSSR Ramachandran on Tuesday said five people died in rain-related incidents in Theni, Trichy, Madurai and Chennai districts. At least 64 cattle deaths were reported across the state, and 538 huts and 129 houses were damaged.

In Chennai, 1,723 people have been moved to 22 relief centres and 147 more centres have been kept ready. More than 11.49 lakh food packets have been given away to people across the city.

Poondi, Puzhal, Cholavaram, and Chembarambakkam lakes have almost reached their full capacity.

“Steps have been taken to release surplus water taking into consideration the inflow and the safety of dams,” water resources minister Duraimurugan said.

Balagurusamy to head MKU V-C search panel

NEWS DIGEST

Balagurusamy to head MKU V-C search panel

11.011.2021

Anna University former vice-chancellor E Balagurusamy has been appointed as convenor of Madurai Kamaraj University vicechancellor search committee. Former vice-chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University P Maruthamuthu and former vice-chancellor of Tamil University M Rajendran will be other members of the search committee. The university VC's post has been lying vacant after previous vicechancellor M Krishnan was appointed as vice-chancellor of Central University of Tamil Nadu in August. The search panel will recommend three names to governor R N Ravi.

‘COVID-19 victims entitled to a minimum of ₹50,000’

‘COVID-19 victims entitled to a minimum of ₹50,000’

HC says individual governments can also pay more than the minimum amount

10/11/2021

Legal Correspondent CHENNAI

The Madras High Court on Monday said the governments in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are obligated, as per Supreme Court orders, to pay a minimum of ₹50,000 each to the familes of over 36,000 people who had died so far due to COVID-19 in the State as well as the Union Territory.

Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P.D. Audikesavalu said the minimum amount was fixed by the Supreme Court under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The individual governments, however, would be free to pay much more than the minimum amount.

The judges granted a week's time for the governments to disclose the amount of money, over and above ₹50,000, that they would be willing to pay from the State Disaster Relief Fund.

The court also wanted a mechanism to be in place o redress the grievances of the claimants quickly.

The interim orders were passed on a couple of public interest litigation petitions seeking adequate compensation to the victims. Counsel for one of the petitioners, Kabilan Manoharan, insisted that the legal heirs or the next of the kin of every person who had succumbed to COVID-19 must be paid ₹4 lakh.

Rain lets up, but woes of Chennai continue

Rain lets up, but woes of Chennai continue

HC cracks the whip over inundation

10/11/2021

Bounteous yield: Residents fishing in Korattur Lake that overflowed on Tuesday.M. VEDHANThe Hindu

Special CorrespondentCHENNAI

Chennai had some respite from the rain on Tuesday when inundation cleared up in a few areas. But people were stranded and in need of help at other places where the stagnant water was yet to be drained. Residents are approaching the next couple of days with fear as heavy rain has been forecast.

The Madras High Court warned the Chennai Corporation that it would take up a suo motu public interest litigation petition on the travails of residents due to waterlogging, if the situation did not improve by Friday. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said action would be taken against the contractors implementing Smart City.

In the 24 hours till 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Chennai recorded 3.2 cm of rain. The weather office has issued a red alert in Chennai for Wednesday and Thursday as the low-pressure area that had formed on Monday is likely to turn into a depression.

The government announced a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, and Mayiladuthurai on November 10 and 11. A holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in Pudukottai, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Madurai, Dindigul and Virudhunagar districts on November 10. Schools in Tiruchi and Ramanathapuram will be closed on November 10. The toll in the rain has risen to five and over 500 huts have been damaged.

Public transport operated in reduced numbers due to poor patronage

Public transport operated in reduced numbers due to poor patronage

10/11/2021

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

Public transport in the city was operated with limited strength taking into consideration the reduced footfalls due to heavy rain. However commuters reaching the city from far flung western localities of Tiruttani and Arakkonam, had a tough time, because of the fewer train services.

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has been operating reduced number of buses for the past two days. The MTC, which would normally operate nearly 3,250 buses on regular days, has been operating 2,200 to 2,500 buses in the past two days.

A senior official said since Sunday around 2,200 to 2,500 buses are being operated because of the announcement of holidays for schools and colleges and poor commuter population on several routes.

Buses are operated only based on the needs of particular routes.

Similarly, Chennai division of the Southern Railway, which started truncated operation of train services from Monday evening, operated Sunday schedule of train services on Tuesday also citing water stagnation and poor patronage.

The operation of reduced number of train services caused severe hardship to the working population travelling from the neighbouring districts of Tiruvallur and Vellore, as a large number of commuters depended on train services from Tiruttani and Arakkonam.

Social activist A. Roy Rozario, in a representation sent to the Chennai Divisional Railway Manager, highlighted the hardships faced by hundreds of commuters from Arakkonam, Tiruttani and Tiruvallur.

The Southern Railway on Tuesday has announced more stoppages for the fast line proceeding towards Arakkonam and Tiruttani effective from Friday.

Pvt edu institutions get property tax relief

Pvt edu institutions get property tax relief

Chandigarh: 09.11.2021

The Haryana government has decided to give exemption in property tax for one year to private educational institutions. Haryana urban local bodies minister Anil Vij said the state government had decided to give exemption to private educational institutions on the account of losses suffered by them during the Covid-19 period.

Vij said the private educational institutions in the state would get a relief of Rs 23.50 crore from the relaxation of one year. He said chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar had given his approval to the decision.

The government educational had already been given similar exemption in property tax and the state would foot bill of Rs 10.35 crore for this. Thus, 8,986 educational institutions in 88 civic bodies of the state would get a relief of Rs 33.85 crore.

Haryana private schools association president Kulbhushan Sharma thanked the ULB minister. He, however, said that the schools should be given more exemptions. TNN

Sharma makes temple run to Tirupati

Sharma makes temple run to Tirupati

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Hyderabad: 09.11.2021

On a day the Rs 18,300-crore IPO by Paytm made its debut, its founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma made a temple run to Tirupati on Monday to seek the blessings of Lord Balaji.

The Paytm boss landed in Tirupati on Monday afternoon for a darshan of the lord of the seven hills. “Just met Sh Jawahar Reddy Executive Officer, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (#TTD) in Tirupati as I have come here to seek blessing of God for all of @Paytm family,” Sharma tweeted after his visit to the abode of one of the richest gods in the world.

The Paytm IPO, which opened on Monday (November 8) and will close on November 10, aims to raise Rs 18,300 crore through a fresh issue of Rs 8,300 crore and an offer for sale of Rs 10,000 crore.

Special trains cost more, but amenities missing

Special trains cost more, but amenities missing

No Blankets Or Pillows, Curtains Removed

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 09.11.2021

More than 90% of trains may have resumed with full patronage, but railways continue to run them as specials, unreserved express specials and festival specials, charging high and varying fares without offering onboard amenities.

Concessions for senior citizens have been suspended, blankets and pillows are not given and curtains removed from all AC classes but charges have not been reduced. Passengers say it is unfair to keep fares high under different classifications when reservation status is at waitlist and RAC for weekends and holidays.

On Friday, Southern Railway announced around 11 unreserved specials with fares equivalent to express trains. This means people will have to spend double the money they had been spending for tickets on passenger trains to travel by these unreserved express specials between interior towns.

S Vijayaraghavan, who used to travel by passenger trains, said a passenger had to pay ₹30 or more to travel by one of these trains from one station to another while it used to cost only ₹7 on a passenger train. “Railways should introduce passenger trains instead of running trains that charge more money from the people. It is of no help.”

The railways is also introducing festival specials which have fares that will cost ₹300-₹500 more than regular AC III tier class on scheduled trains on the route. However, these trains do not offer any additional facilities.

Suresh Seshadri, a Kolkata resident who works in Chennai, said that on Coromandel Special and Howrah Mail special, the last few 2nd AC and 3rd AC tickets under premium tatkal category cost ₹4,000 and ₹2,500. “The actual fare is ₹2,500 and ₹1,750. A flight to Kolkata booked in advance will be cheaper than a 2nd AC seat.”

This, said consumer activist T Sadagopan, was fleecing in the name of pandemic. “There is no point in running the same express and mail trains by calling them specials and then cancelling all concessions for senior citizens and others. Curtains are removed, pillows and blankets are not given. Railways should be charging less from passengers who travel by AC class because half of the amenities are not provided on board. There is no justification to continue to charge the same fare.” However, railways maintain that all passenger trains are not being operated because the pandemic is still on. The Railway Board has said that a decision on running of passenger trains and running scheduled trains will be taken only after the pandemic reduces considerably.

Hospitals try to sell unsold vax stocks at discount, no takers

Hospitals try to sell unsold vax stocks at discount, no takers

Sumitra.Debroy@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:09.11.2021

Stuck with unsold Covid vaccine doses worth crores, private hospitals have started offering their stocks at 10-30% discounted rates to bulk purchasers. Many have even approached the manufacturers hoping to return unsold inventory.

Far from the situation in May-June when private players faced a crisis of shortage, they were sitting on more than 47lakh doses in October last week. Hospitals in Mumbai may have more than 85% of the unsold doses. Vaccinations in the city’s private sector nosedived in October with less than 3lakh paid jabs administered.

Sanjeevani Hospital in Malad has 7,000 doses of Covishield worth Rs 44lakh and hardly any takers. “I’ve approached both the manufacturer and BMC, but nobody is willing to take the vaccines,” said Dr Sunil Agarwal, the hospital’s director. “We are willing to liquidate it at a discount of 30%...it is better than doses going to waste altogether,” he said. The hospital’s daily footfall for vaccination has dropped to 20-25 people, far below the crowd of 1,000 they had previously.

In a similar dilemma is Oscar Hospital in the western suburbs with around 25,000 doses. Dr Nitin Pawar said, “We have all threes-—Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik, but hardly any people are coming forward,” Dr Pawar said. Oscar, like many others, is pinning hopes on the government approving a booster shot. “The other way we may see a surge in demand is if the interval between doses is reduced,” he said. The corporation had said more than 22 lakh people would be eligible for vaccination immediately if the 84-day interval is shortened.

Dr Prince Surana, CEO of Surana Group of Hospitals said many hospitals are trying to sell stocks at discounts, but few have found buyers. CoWin allows private hospitals to transfer doses to each other. “That option is used mainly when someone is in urgent need of 100-200 doses. If anybody wants more doses, they usually place orders directly with manufacturers,” he said. Another hospital head said he spoke to the Serum Institute of India to ask them to take some doses back.

“They turned it down saying they cannot be sure how the vaccines were stored,” he said. The extension of expiry period of Covaxin from 6 month to 12 months has brought some relief though, he said. A state official said private hospitals have offered vaccines to the government. “But we cannot buy from private sector when there is abundant supply from the Centre,” the official said. Interestingly, no hospital has slashed rates despite the oversupply.