Varsity to offer online course on poll processes

Varsity to offer online course on poll processes

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Panaji:11.11.2021

As the state heads towards the 2022 assembly polls, Goa University students and the general public will be able to learn about the country’s democratic systems and poll processes via a short-term online course introduced at GU’s department of political science by the office of the chief electoral officer, in a collaborative effort.

The course ‘Democracy and Electoral Management in India’ aims to introduces participants to the concepts of democracy and the functioning of the largest electoral machinery in the world. The course will also include hands-on training on an actual EVM.

The total course duration will be 12 hours, spread over four weeks from November 22 to December 22, GU said.

The course has been vetted by the India International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Management, New Delhi, and approved by the GU Academic Council. It is also open to government officials and those who will be working as presiding/polling officers at the upcoming state elections.

“Certificates of participation to be provided to all completing basic class requirements. All lectures will be available on YouTube, with an opportunity for live interaction with resource persons,” GU said.

Those interested have to register before November 17 and must have a minimum of Class XII qualification.

DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM

Med student found hanging in Midnapore college hostel

Med student found hanging in Midnapore college hostel

Sujoy Khanra

Midnapore: 11.11.2021

A 28-year-old postgraduate student of Midnapore Medical College was found hanging in the hostel on Tuesday night.

Mini Ghosh, a resident of Kandi in Murshidabad, was in her second year of MD (Paediatrics). She had cleared her MBBS from Calcutta National Medical College.

Dr Tarapada Ghosh, head of paediatrics, said Mini was a bright student and was preparing for a seminar.

Police have not found a suicide note and are probing the case. The body was sent for autopsy on Wednesday.

Father Binay Ghosh, who arrived here to receive the body, said Mini called them twice every day — at noon and before bed at night. When she skipped routine on Tuesday, her family tried calling her, but she did not answer. They assumed she was busy until the news reached them.

Father Binay Ghosh said Mini called them twice every day — at noon and before bed at night. When she skipped routine on Tuesday, her family tried calling her, but she did not answer

KGMU docs remove baby’s unborn twin in a 2-hour surgery

KGMU docs remove baby’s unborn twin in a 2-hour surgery

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Lucknow:11.11.2021

A child with his unborn twin attached to his lower back was successfully operated and disjointed from it by a team of doctors at King George’s Medical University’s (KGMU) pediatric surgery department.

The two-hour long surgery was performed on November 3 under the guidance of department head Prof J D Rawat, Dr Piyush Kumar, Dr Sudhir Singh and Dr Anand Pandey.

Doctors performed the intricate surgery and separated the abortive twin, who had two legs, hands and back but no head, from the fully formed child.

“On August 25, a woman in Sitapur had given birth to a child having a mass, legs and hands attached to its back. The family got worried over the abnormal growth and rushed the newborn to the local hospital from where they were referred to KGMU,” said Prof Rawat.

“The MRI showed that the mass was an abortive twin attached to the child’s back over the lumbar spine and spinal cord. The child was successfully freed from the burden of the mass growing on its back and is doing well,” he added.

Karnataka High Court Upholds Centre's Notification Treating OCIs As NRIs For College Admissions

Karnataka High Court Upholds Centre's Notification Treating OCIs As NRIs For College Admissions: The Karnataka High Court has upheld the validity of the Central Government notification dated March 4, by which Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cardholders are not to be eligible for...

கனமழை எதிரொலி: 15 மாவட்ட பள்ளிகளுக்கு இன்று விடுமுறை

DINAMALAR

பொது செய்தி

தமிழ்நாடு

கனமழை எதிரொலி: 15 மாவட்ட பள்ளிகளுக்கு இன்று விடுமுறை

Updated : நவ 11, 2021 06:32 | Added : நவ 11, 2021 06:29

சென்னை: தமிழகத்தில் கனமழை எதிரொலி காரணமாக சென்னை, சேலம், கடலூர் உள்ளிட்ட 14 மாவட்ட பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளுக்கு இன்று(நவ.,11) விடுமுறை அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. கோவை மாவட்டத்தில், பள்ளிகளுக்கு மட்டும் இன்று விடுமுறை அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

தமிழகத்தில் வடகிழக்கு பருவமழை தீவிரம் அடைந்துள்ளது. அதி கனமழை காரணமாக, தமிழகத்தின் பெரும்பாலான மாவட்டங்களில் நீர்நிலைகள், அணைகள் நிரம்பி வெள்ளப் பெருக்கு ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்நிலையில், வங்கக்கடலில் உருவாகியுள்ள காற்றழுத்த தாழ்வு மண்டலம், இன்று கரையை கடக்கும் என்றும், அதுவரை மாநிலத்தின் பெரும்பாலான மாவட்டங்களில், அதி கனமழை வரை பெய்யும் என சென்னை வானிலை ஆய்வு மையம் எச்சரித்துள்ளது. இந்நிலையில் கனமழை காரணமாக பல மாவட்ட பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளுக்கு இன்று விடுமுறை அளித்து அந்தந்த மாவட்ட கலெக்டர்கள் உத்தரவு பிறப்பித்துள்ளனர்.

பள்ளி, கல்லூரிகளுக்கு விடுமுறை:

1. சென்னை

2. காஞ்சிபுரம்

3. திருவள்ளூர்

4. செங்கல்பட்டு

5. கடலுார்

6. நாகப்பட்டினம்

7. தஞ்சாவூர்

8. திருவாரூர்

9. மயிலாடுதுறை

10. ராமநாதபுரம்

11. வேலூர்

12 ராணிப்பேட்டை

13. விழுப்புரம்

14. சேலம்

15. திருவாரூர்

பள்ளிகளுக்கு மட்டும் இன்று விடுமுறை:

15. கோவை

Vegetable prices rise in Kerala as supply from TN dips due to floods

Vegetable prices rise in Kerala as supply from TN dips due to floods

The shortage of supplies from other states, especially Tamil Nadu, which was badly hit by floods, has resulted in a surge in vegetable prices in Kerala.

Published: 11th November 2021 03:53 AM 

The Ernakulam vegetable market | A Sanesh

By Express News Service

KOCHI: The shortage of supplies from other states, especially Tamil Nadu, which was badly hit by floods, has resulted in a surge in vegetable prices in Kerala. In the last three weeks, the prices of vegetables including tomato, beans and drumstick have seen a three-fold surge. Wholesale dealers said that even before the beginning of Deepavali, there was a shortage of supply from Tamil Nadu, from where over 60 per cent of supplies are coming to Kerala.

This has resulted in a sudden surge in prices of vegetables. Schools reopened in the state last week and there was an increase in demand for vegetables. This was also another reason for the price hike.

"There is a 30 per cent dip in overall quantity of loads arriving from Tamil Nadu every week.

The suppliers have informed us that the cultivation in low-lying areas was severely affected due to floods. The volume of cultivation was also low during the last few months resulting in a dip in supply," said Ernakulam Market Stall Owners Association president K K Ashraf. He said that other than Chinese potato (Koorkka,) the prices of all other vegetables have witnessed a surge in the last couple of weeks.

Among vegetables, tomato price in the retail market touched Rs 80 on Wednesday. Ashraf said that in the wholesale market, tomato is priced at Rs 55 and the retailers will add their margin to the actual price, which has resulted in the surge. There are also complaints from consumers that there is no uniformity in price and it varies from shop to shop. "The vegetable vendors/retailers are charging as per their will for vegetables. If we get a kilogram of tomato for Rs 80 from one shop, another shop nearby will charge Rs 75 or Rs 85, as per their will. Most of the shops do not display the price list," said Harikrishnan, a resident of Vazhakkala.

vegetables

 

Depression to cross north TN on Thursday, state on edge

Depression to cross north TN on Thursday, state on edge

With rainfall of over 20 cm forecast for capital, people urged to stay safe indoors

Published: 11th November 2021 03:15 AM 

(Photo | P Jawahar, EPS)

By SV Krishna Chaitanya

Express News Service

CHENNAI: As rains continued in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, two people, including a four-year-old, died in a wall collapse in Thanjavur district, and 55,000 hectares of agricultural fields went underwater. The showers intensifed at night as a well-marked low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal concentrated into a depression.

Located in the southwest Bay about 430 km from Chennai, it is very likely to near the north TN coast by Thursday morning. It is expected to cross north TN and the adjoining south Andhra coasts between Karaikal and Sriharikota near the north of Puducherry the same evening.

With extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm), forecast in and around Chennai from Wednesday night to Thursday afternoon, the regional meteorological centre issued a red alert for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Ranipet, Vellore, Tiruvanamalai, Kallakurichi, Salem and Tirupattur. Surface winds reaching 30 kmph are also likely over Chennai and its suburbs during the day.

Revenue Minister KKSSR Ramachandran said all arrangements were made and people shouldn’t step outdoors unnecessarily. In the 24 hours ending 8.30 am Wednesday, Nagapattinam recorded a whopping 310 mm of rainfall, followed by Karaikal (290 mm). Several observatories clocked over 250 mm. However, through Wednesday, rainfall reduced with Ennore Port receiving 45 mm, followed by Cheyyur 38 mm and Chennai AWS 33.5 mm. Nonetheless, Ashok Nagar, T Nagar, Pulianthope and West Mambalam in Chennai remained inundated for the fourth day.

Statewide, 3,691 irrigation tanks are brimming, while in Madurai, a third flood alert was issued as the flow in the Vaigai reached 5,000 cusecs. Another low-pressure area is likely to form in the South Andaman Sea around November 13.

Madras HC stays order cancelling admissions to dental college

Madras HC stays order cancelling admissions to dental college

The Madras High Court on Tuesday stayed the order of the selection committee for medical admission cancelling admissions to a private dental college in the State.

Published: 11th November 2021 02:55 AM 

Madras High Court

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday stayed the order of the selection committee for medical admission cancelling admissions to a private dental college in the State. The admissions were cancelled since the college exceeded the prescribed distance to a tie-up hospital.

The selection committee on November 2 cancelled the admissions to PG courses at Rajas Dental College in Kavalkinaru, Tirunelveli district, following an order of the Union government dated August 2, 2021, and a consequential order of the Dental Council of India dated October 28, 2021. The orders said the distance from the college to the tie-up hospital is more than 10 km, which violated the amended Dental Council of India Regulations, 2006.

The hospital management approached the Madras HC challenging cancellation of the admissions. It said since the college was established in 1987, and was approved under the 1993 regulations, the provisions of the 2006 regulations regarding location of the tie-up hospital do not apply to it. Staying the order, Justice M Dhandapani noted that prior to the 2006 regulations, it was not contemplated that the distance (by road) should be within 10 km.

Hot pongal, upma from Chennai Corp kitchens keep urban poor full

Hot pongal, upma from Chennai Corp kitchens keep urban poor full

Serving up pongal, rava upma and 10 other dishes at a rapid pace, the city corporation’s common kitchens across 15 zones have kept urban poor from going hungry during the non-stop rains.

Published: 11th November 2021 04:59 AM 

By Omjasvin MD

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Serving up pongal, rava upma and 10 other dishes at a rapid pace, the Chennai Corporation’s common kitchens across 15 zones have kept urban poor from going hungry during the non-stop rains.

While Amma Canteens served free food to affected people during natural disasters in the previous AIADMK government, these kitchens have taken up the role now, serving rain-affected residents food round-the-clock.

According to data shared by the civic body, up to 10 lakh food parcels of various dishes were served by the 15 kitchens over the last three days. “We primarily distribute food to rescue shelters and night shelters. From Kodambakkam kitchen at Ambedkar College Road, about 12,000 people benefitted in the three days,” said an official from Revenue department, which runs the kitchen along with the corporation.

TNIE spoke to workers, who said they wake up as early as 3 am to cook. “By 6 am, the breakfast is ready. After that, it is tasted by health inspectors. Only after that we distribute it,” said a cook. These kitchens are constantly monitored by DMK MLAs, ministers and IAS officials. Recently, during a surprise visit, Chief Minister MK Stalin inspected these kitchens to taste the food.

Officials said the canteens will be offering free food until the rains are over. “Most people who avail the service are from slum board tenements, fishermen colonies and the homeless.” The CM had also recently announced that Amma Canteens too will be serving free food till the rains are over.

12K  people benefitted in the past three days of the food served from the Kodambakkam common kitchen

Man who couldn’t be SI is now in IPS

Man who couldn’t be SI is now in IPS

Srinath.Vudali@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:11.11.2021

Three years ago, when Sirisetti Sankeerth lost the 800 metres race by a few seconds, his dreams of becoming a police officer went up in smoke, or so he thought.

Come Friday and Sankeerth will now march shoulder-to-shoulder with 132 fellow IPS trainees at the ‘dikshant parade’ of trainee IPS officers passing out from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad. The 27-year-old failed to realise his dream of getting into the police service and becoming a sub-inspector after he failed to clear the mandatory 800 metres run to check fitness of candidates three years ago.

Son of an electrician, Sankeerth, who hails from Bellampalli village in Telangana’s Mancherial district, had earlier cleared the state exam to become a policeman.

“I was supposed to clear the mandatory 800 metres race in 160 seconds. But I failed in meeting the requirement by a whisker,” Sankeerth told TOI.

Having realised that he had to work hard on his fitness, the young man put his dreams on the backburner and even took up a job as an assistant executive engineer in Mission Bhagiratha, a flagship water project of the government, to help his father’s meagre earnings at Singareni Collieries.

“I used to go to the office by 7.30 am and prepare myself for UPSC. My actual work used to be in the evening and I was lucky to be given a desk job. So, I used to manage time by preparing the whole day,” Sankeerth said.

While working on his fitness, Sankeerth also began taking the UPSC exams, but found it difficult to clear. He, however, did not give up.

“It was on my fifth attempt, I cleared UPSC and during my police training at SVP National Police Academy (SVPNPA) I also did well in sports during my training and won few medals too,” a beaming Sankeerth, who ranked 330 in the latest UPSC exam, said.Sankeerth completed his civil engineering from Osmania University and has now been allotted to Telangana cadre.

“It was my father’s dream to see me as an IPS officer. I am happy that I have done it for him,” he added.

Sankeerth and his fellow IPS trainees will now be sent to France as part of the training programme.

PG admission delay: 2,200 MBBS doctors kept in limbo - The Times Of India

PG admission delay: 2,200 MBBS doctors kept in limbo - The Times Of India

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:11.11.2021

Yash Patel, who completed his MBBS degree earlier this year, is waiting for his turn to get admission in postgraduate doctoral programme at a medical college in Gujarat.

Patel, who has cleared NEET PG, the results of which were declared one and a half month ago, says he had to let go of a job offer from a private hospital that wanted him to join as a resident doctor.

There are about 2,200 PG medical seats in the state that are yet to be allotted as the admissions are running about six months behind schedule due to multiple reasons.

The MBBS graduates who join PG medical courses serve as resident doctors at medical college hospitals. This year about 2,200 doctors are yet to join duty as the admission process is not completed so far.

The NEET PG exams are usually held in April but they got delayed till August this year due to Coronavirus pandemic.

“Last year, the candidates had joined first-year of PG programme in the month of May. These students have finished their first-year studies and moved on to the next year. As a result, about 2,200 doctors who are all ready to join the PG courses and serve in hospitals, cannot do so as the admission process is stuck,” according to a medical faculty in one of the government-run colleges in the state.

The admission committee on Wednesday announced that the online registration process for admissions to MD, MS programmes will start from November 12.

“The admission process is stuck due to an ongoing case in the Supreme Court regarding admission for economically weaker section (EWS) category. Also, the admissions at the state level can only be held once two rounds of admissions are completed under All India Quota,” said an academic expert from the medical field.

Online registration for NEET PG from November 12

The Admission Committee for Professional Postgraduate Medical Educational Courses (ACPPGMEC) on Wednesday announced that the online registration for admissions to MD and MS programmes will be held from November 12 to November 16. Candidates who have cleared NEET PG-2021 are eligible to apply for admissions. On Wednesday, instructions were given by video-conferencing, regarding document verification process and submission of documents. Though the committee announced the date for online registration, experts said that the admissions cannot start immediately due to a case in the Supreme Court in connection with admission to PG medical for EWS category. Also, the admissions at the state-level can only be held once two rounds are completed under all-India quota, according to an expert. TNN

How to talk to the world through free translation apps

How to talk to the world through free translation apps

With Google and Apple revving their machine-learning engines in their translate apps, there’s a whole new world of communication possibilities available at the touch of your fingertips

11.11.2021

Third-party apps may be more indepth — but these freebies can provide a general sense of things and become learning aids. Here’s a quick tour:

Pick your translator

Google Translate is available on the web as a Chrome browser extension and as an Android and an iOS app. Apple released its Translate app last year for the iPhone and added it to the latest iOS 15 update for the iPad.

Google Translate supports more than 100 languages, while the version from Apple handles 11. Depending on the app and language, you may need an internet connection, unless the content is available to download. Audio pronunciation or other features may not be available for some languages. Read the app’s privacy policy if you have datasharing concerns.

Google Translate and Apple’s Translate are fairly easy to use. Just tap open the app and choose the languages you want to translate between. Enter text or say it aloud to get the translation through screen and speaker.

Both apps support a Conversation mode, where you can carry out a bilingual chat (in a supported language) with someone as the app automatically translates. And you can save favourite phrases for later reference in both apps.

See it and read it

Google Translate and the Google Lens visual search tool can use your phone’s camera to scan and translate the text on signs, in books, within photographs and in other printed matter. Just open the camera app, point it at the text you want to convert and tap the ‘Translate’ button.

Apple’s Live Text feature, new with iOS 15, offers similar abilities. Point the camera at text, and when a yellow frame appears around the words, tap the text icon in the bottomright corner of the screen. Select the words to convert and tap ‘Translate’ from the pop-up menu on the screen. You can translate text in photos the same way.

Translating in other apps

You’ll find that the baked-in powers of translation extend to other compatible apps, too. For example, in Google Translate, you can tap the Menu icon in the top-left corner, choose Settings and enable the ‘Tap to Translate’ function. When you find text that you want to convert, highlight the words and tap the ‘Translate’ option in the pop-up menu.

Apple’s Translate converts text in compatible apps on iOS devices (like the Safari browser) and can replace text you’ve typed with a translated version. Select the text you want to convert, and tap ‘Translate’ in the menu above. You may need to tap the arrow at the end of the menu to get to that option. When the full Translate menu appears, you can see and hear the translation and then choose one of several options, including ‘Replace with Translation’.

Use the Digital Assistant

Don’t forget that your virtual assistant can also be of service. The Google Assistant for Android and iOS has an interpreter mode to translate conversations in dozens of languages on demand. Just say something like, “Hey, Google, be my Mandarin interpreter,” and follow along. Apple’s Siri works with the Translate app to provide quick language tips as well; just say something like, “Hey, Siri, how do I say, ‘Where’s the nearest train station?’ in French?”

Typing in translation

To add an alternate-language keyboard in Google’s Gboard for Android or iOS, open an app that accepts text input (like your mail app), tap the Settings icon, then Languages and ‘Add Keyboard’ to select a language. You can tap the three-dot More icon on the Gboard menu to get to a Google Translate option for your typed text.

On an iPhone or iPad running iOS 15, open the Settings icon and choose General and then Keyboard. Select ‘Add New Keyboard’ and choose a language from the menu. Once you have added the new keyboard(s), you can switch between them by pressing the globe icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

Keep in mind that computer interpretation is not perfect. If a native speaker tells you the app’s translation is way off, visit the ‘Help & Feedback’ menu in the Google Translate settings or report it to Apple’s Translate Feedback page.

— THE NEW YORK TIMES

Despite govt order, disabled are forced to pay on buses

Despite govt order, disabled are forced to pay on buses

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:11.11.2021

It has been three months since the state government announced that differ ently abled people will be allowed to travel for free on ordinary town buses.

But some conductors continue to demand ticket fares from such passengers and those who escort them.

The violation has been frequent in Chengalpet, Thiruvallur, Pudukottai and Dharmapuri districts, said S Namburajan from Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC).

G Tamil Selvi, who was escorting Nagaraj (a differently abled person) to Harur in Dharmapuri, said that conductor demanded ₹10 fare from her even after insisting that the government had changed the travel norms in June.

"It was more than enough if they presented their disability ID cards (issued by the government). But the conductors for some reason harass the passengers by asking for photocopies of the same. Failing which, they collect ticket fares" she said. Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) bus conductors in response said that their branch managers insist on proof that differentlyabled passengers actually travel and it actually helps in tallying ticket fare revenue at the end of the day.

“Besides this, there is no mention about this procedure in the handbooks given to us,” say conductors. Guidebooks, which explain the duties and limitations of conductors, have previously been used as evidence in court cases involving TNSTC staff.

Namburajan in his letter to chief minister MK Stalin has requested the state transport department to paste stickers on the bus windshields stating that travel is free for differently abled persons and those escorting them. A senior transport department official has agreed to look into this issue.

For a difference, the government scheme is properly implemented by Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), Chennai as there are no complaints against them even when other corporations face allegations.

As a result, there is a 20% increase in the number of differently abled passengers using MTC buses in Chennai. Every month, at least 51,000 disabled passengers are getting benefitted, according to official data.

But only one out of the 3,300 MTC buses have ramps to assist disabled passengers while boarding or exiting. The Madras high court has directed the corporation to ensure that all new buses procured are disabled-friendly. MTC had originally decided that only 10% of the buses procured at ₹694 crore will be disabled-friendly and another 25% will have lift mechanisms with ramps. But activists have rejected it.

Traffic diversion over rain-related issues

Traffic diversion over rain-related issues

Chennai:11.11.2021

The city police have diverted traffic in several areas due to rain-related issues. On MRH Road from Manjampakkam rountana towards Red Hills, as the water is overflowing from Retteri lake and running through MRH Road, anticipating damage, one side of the road has been closed and the traffic is maintained on the other side. On Thirumalai Pillai Road, in front of Kamarajar Illam, due to a road cave-in, vehicles are not permitted towards Valluvarkottam junction from Vani Mahal junction. Police said that traffic is also diverted at Vani Mahal-Penz park junction. TNN

Traffic hit on key road in Perambur

Traffic hit on key road in Perambur

Chennai:11.11.2021

Traffic was disrupted on Perambur Barracks Road as the road cut near Vani Vasanthi theatre left motorists at high risk with many vehicles stuck in potholes and trenches dug up to drain the rainwater.

Rainwater remained stagnated on Demellows Road, Decastor Road restricting movement of bikes and light motor vehicles. This road connecting Pulianthope and Basin Bridge-Washermenpet. Waterlogged Pattalam road also prevented smaller vehicles to ply through. Some residents have dug up across the road near the Conran Smith Road-Perambur Barracks Road junction. TNN

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