No nod for four new colleges to start MBBS admissions this year

No nod for four new colleges to start MBBS admissions this year

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru: 17.11.2021 

In a blow to the state, the new medical colleges in Chikkamagaluru, Haveri, Yadgir and Chikkaballapur are unlikely to begin academic operations this year as the National Medical Commission (NMC) has turned down requisitions for 150 undergraduate seats each from 2021-22, official sources said.

An NMC team recently inspected these colleges and objected to the lack of buildings. Staff recruitment was also still ongoing.

“If not for the pandemic, we would have completed the process of appointing staff in all four colleges,” a source in the medical education department said. “Construction work also took a beating because of the pandemic. However, it’s now taking place at a fast pace in Chikkaballapur and Chikkamagaluru.”

Sources said the NMC objected to the plan to begin operations from a private building. A team from Delhi inspected the colleges in August 2021. In October, a video conference was held with the heads of the medical colleges to review progress.

However, in the first week of this month, NMC, in official communication, shot down approval to start the first MBBS batch in all four colleges. Medical education minister K Sudhakar was unavailable for comment.

“However, in the past, some colleges that received communication denying approval were given the goahead by the end of the mopup round of UG medical counselling,” the source said. “The recruitment process is likely to be over by December, and we will once again approach the NMC. If staff recruitment is complete and the required equipment, hostel and other infrastructure are in place, the NMC may approve two of the four colleges this year.”

Currently there are 8,900 UG medical seats in Karnataka and it would have gone up to 9,500 if the 600 seats were approved. Of the available UG medical sets, 2,900 are in government colleges.

“We are confident the seats in Chikkamagaluru and Chikkaballapur will be approved since most staff have been recruited,” said Dr Jayakara SM, vice chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. Should that happen, the state will get 300 more seats for 2021-22.

In 2019, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute (Bowring and Lady Curzon Medical College and Research Institute) was granted approval and the first batch began from 2019-20.

While seeking approval for the fresh batch in 2020, the government had written to the Centre saying the new medical college was needed to reduce the doctor-patient ratio of 1:10260 in Karnataka. As per the World Health Organisation, there must be one doctor for every 1,000 population.

“NMC looks at three primary factors while considering approval: The college must have the required infrastructure, faculty and a medical college hospital. In all the four new medical colleges, these factors are in the preliminary stage as all work was halted during the pandemic,” said sources.

In four new medical colleges, the government had made alternative arrangements to begin the course near district hospitals. “In Chikkamagaluru, the land allocated for the college was in a forest area and it required clearances from the forest department. In Yadgir, construction began in January and that may take some more time,” said officials.

Foreigners can now submit registration requests online

Foreigners can now submit registration requests online

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:17.11.2021

The home ministry has allowed all applications and information related to registration of foreigners in India to be submitted to the registration officer through the electronic mode.

A new rule has been added to the Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1992, providing registration reports of foreigners to be submitted electronically. Any application or information under the rules can be filed online , after which the registration officer will verify its genuineness.

Only if necessary will the applicant or informant be called for a personal appearance for the purpose of this rule.

“The purpose of the amended rules is to ease travel and stay by foreigners in India by eliminating the outdated procedures and replacing them with digitised formats. The initiative fits in with the ‘ease of living’ and ‘ease of doing business’ theme of the Modi government,” said a spokesperson for the ministry.

The latest amendments in the Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1992, according to a gazette notification dated November 12, omits Rule 7(1) specifying the procedure of registration and to whom the registration report must be presented.

Bank misplaces FD records of senior citizen, told to pay

Bank misplaces FD records of senior citizen, told to pay

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Vadodara: 17.11.2021

He had invested his hard-earned Rs 7,000 as two fixed deposits (FD) in Bank of Baroda in June 1998 for 20 years thinking that the money would help him during his retirement years. But in 2018 and 2019 when the two FDs were to mature Pravinchandra Shah, who lives in Makarpura, was shocked to know that the bank did not have any records of it.

Shah pursued the issue with the bank since 2018, but the money was never paid out to him.

However, the consumer court came to his rescue recently. The court ordered the bank to pay the matured amount of Rs 65,342 along with interest and compensation of Rs 2,000.

As Shah did not get any positive response from the bank, he had filed a complaint at the consumer forum in November 2019. He told the court that the bank did not have records of his FDs. When he approached senior officials of the bank, he was told that as the bank’s system had changed, his FDs’ account numbers had changed and he was assured of the payment. But Shah never got the money and instead learnt that the bank had deducted tax at source even as he had filled forms 15H and 15G and the rate of interest was reduced without informing him.

The bank was sent notice to appear before the forum and respond to Shah’s complaint, but the bank’s representatives never remained present. Since Shah had submitted all documentary evidence and they were not opposed by the bank, the court upheld the evidence. The court ordered the bank to pay the promised sum of Rs 65,342 to Shah within two months.

Admissions for dental and MBBS courses to begin today

Admissions for dental and MBBS courses to begin today

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:17.11.2021

The online registrations for medical, dental, homeopathic and ayurveda seats will begin from November 17. Presently, there are 30 medical colleges in the state with 5,550 MBBS seats, 12 dental colleges with 1,255 seats, 33 Ayurveda colleges with 2,242 seats and 36 colleges with a total capacity of 3,710 seats.

In all, there are 12,707 seats for which the Admission Committee for Professional Under Graduate Medical Educational Courses (ACPUGMEC) will undertake the admission process this year.

Gujarat government is working on a plan to ensure that there is one medical college in every district of the state. For this, the department will have to set up about seven additional medical colleges in districts that do not have a single college, said sources.

The proposal is in lines with the Centre’s vision to have one college in every district of the country over the next five years.

The state government is also planning to set up eight new medical colleges in the state in the next two years. They will add 1,200 MBBS seats, representing about 21% of the total number of prevailing seats in Gujarat, said sources in the state’ health department.

The new medical colleges in Morbi, Godhra and Porbander are expected to start in the 2021-22 academic year. The inspection process by National Medical Commission (NMC) has been completed.

In the next academic year, the state health department aims to start new medical colleges in Rajpipala, Navsari, Jam Khambhaliya, Botad and Veraval.

India resumes vaccine exports after 8 months

India resumes vaccine exports after 8 months

Indrani.Bagchi@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:17.11.2021

Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal and Iran have been the first recipients of resumed vaccine exports from India almost eight months after they were halted due to rising cases of Covid.

The Centre had stopped vaccine exports as the brutal second wave hit India in April-May this year. Its only after India had administered close to a billion doses of vaccines did the government relax restrictions. Commercial contracts were also kept in abeyance as production was procured for domestic use. India resumed its exports to the Covax facility with the first lot of doses landing in African countries. Adar Poonawalla, chief of Serum Institute of India, was quoted by Axios news website as saying that by this week, he expected Covishield doses to land in African countries.

"I think by the tenth of November you're gonna see the first — if not a bit sooner — you're gonna see the first doses arrive in Africa," Poonawalla told Axios. Once shipments begin, Poonawalla said around 30 million doses per month could be supplied to COVAX.

Home stickers for fully vaccinated?

In a bid to add momentum to the door-to-door Covid vaccination campaign, health minister Mansukh Mandaviya suggested use of stickers for residences where both doses have been given, which would help vaccinators involved in the drive and encourage others to take their shots. TNN P 8

Vax supplies no longer a constraint now

India now has a long list of vaccines—Covavax, Corbevax, ZyCovD, Gennova’s mRNA vaccine—at various stages of regulatory approval. The first 50 million doses of SIIproduced Covavax will make its way to Indonesia this week though the vaccine is yet to be greenlighted by India’s DCGI, the WHO or the US FDA.

While the government is focusing on getting more Indians covered by the second jab, it’s clear that supplies are no longer a constraint. Vaccine manufacturers are chomping at the bit, because they need to go out to the world with their exports.

However, there remain fears about a third wave and a repeat of the shortages faced during the second wave as well as uncertainties about production volumes and timelines of manufacturers. Here, government sources say they were hobbled by the slow rollout of Covaxin by Bharat Biotech.

TNeGA to launch e-Office for paperless governance

TNeGA to launch e-Office for paperless governance

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:

17.11.2021

During the lockdown, private firms allowed their employees to work from home (WFH). But the state government was unable to do so. Now, the Tamil Nadu egovernance agency (TNeGA) has a solution for this if any need arises in the future.

TNeGA has designed a tool named 'e-Office', which will help employees to access their office files from homes.

Using their username and password employees can login to e-Office, scan hardcopies of office files, work on the uploaded documents, prepare notes, and transfer it to their colleagues for reference, said a senior TNeGA official.

"We will get to know from where and for how long a file has remained pending. Also, there is no way a file can go missing. Even if there was a fire accident etc, they can be retrieved," the official added.

The agency is planning to launch 'e-Office' at all departments and district collectorates and has created 50,000 email points for this purpose. In the first phase, the tool is to be made available for 3,500 employees at the state secretariat. Archives in offices over there will be digitised before the launch in January.

M Anbarasu, president of Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association, said that it was practically impossible to implement 100% paperless governance from a remote location. Some government welfare schemes involve physical inspections, and such field inputs can be recorded digitally. Only matters related to finance can be dealt with using such tools, he said.

MG Devasagayam, retired IAS official, said that they tried it way back in 2007 when the Madras high court directed the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to act on building violations. But there was literally no support from the staff. So, the initiative was dropped.

"Also, it is important to see what is digitised. Are projects and violations worth thousands of crores going to be digitised? Dealing with daily routine alone will provide us convenience but not transparency," he said.

Singapore to limit quarantine-free entry

Singapore to limit quarantine-free entry

The benefit may not be available for Vande Bharat passengers as of now, says statement by city-state

17/11/2021

Long wait: Passengers waiting to get tested for COVID-19 at the international airport in Chennai. B. Velankanni Raj VELANKANNI RAJ B

JAGRITI CHANDRA SUHASINI HAIDAR NEW DELHI

A day after including India on its Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL) programme, Singaporean officials say quarantine-free entry may not be allowed for Indians taking Air India’s Vande Bharat flights, unless talks on a special bilateral arrangement result in an agreement.

In a detailed document on frequently asked questions on VTL, Singapore said only commercial scheduled passenger flights were eligible to be designated as VTL flights and since the Vande Bharat Mission flights were Government charter relief flights, they were not eligible. India has thus far not reopened regular international travel and has restricted flights to only those from 28 countries that have negotiated an “air travel bubble” system with the Government, that do not include Singapore.

“As Vande Bharat Mission flights are chartered repatriation flights, they are not eligible to be designated as VTL flights,” the statement released said, adding that negotiations with the Ministry of Civil Aviation was under way to work out a compromise that would allow a “partial” restoration of international flights for Singapore as a “temporary” measure.

In a statement on Tuesday, Singapore International Airlines on Tuesday asked passengers to be “patient” while talks were on.

Singaporean media had reported a surge in bookings for SIA flights after the announcement of the VTL programme, and at a press meet, Transport Minister S. Iswaran said Singapore aimed two flights a day each from Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai by November 29. Travel agents in India said they were eager for the return of regular flights.

Govt. allows meals on all domestic flights

Govt. allows meals on all domestic flights

17/11/2021

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Tuesday allowed airlines to serve meals on board all domestic flights. The service was banned on flights shorter than two hours during the second wave of COVID-19.

“The airlines operating flights on domestic sectors may provide meal services on board, without restriction on duration of the flight,” an order said on Tuesday.

Moderate rush of pilgrims at Sabarimala on Day 1

Moderate rush of pilgrims at Sabarimala on Day 1

17/11/2021

Offering prayers: Devotees waiting for darshan at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple on Tuesday. Leju Kamal

STAFF REPORTER PATHANAMTHITTA

Braving inclement weather conditions, devotees began trekking the Sabarimala hillock to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple on Tuesday.

In view of a regulation on the entry of devotees due to heavy rain, the day witnessed only a moderate rush of pilgrims. Only those who have booked slots in the virtual queue system are being permitted to the temple from the base camp at Pampa-Triveni.

Devaswom Minister K. Radhakrishnan held a review of the arrangements in place at Pampa and the Sannidhanam along with Travancore Devaswom Board president K. Ananthagopan.

According to the Minister, over 13 lakh people have already booked slots for darshan through the virtual queue system and the pilgrim footfall is expected to improve as the weather conditions stabilise.

“As more devotees begin to arrive, the traditional Sabarimala path via Neelimala-Appachimedu may be opened to devotees. The departments concerned have been directed to set up two health centres along this route,” said the Minister.

Univs told to hold all exams in offline mode

Univs told to hold all exams in offline mode

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:

17.11.2021

Citing the decline in Covid-19 cases in the state, the Tamil Nadu higher education department on Tuesday directed all state universities to conduct all exams only in offline mode.

A section of students in Madurai and engineering college managements asked the department to continue with unsupervised online exams for upcoming exams.

"The offline examinations may be held by following the standard operating procedures and guidelines issued by the government. It applies to all polytechnic, arts and science, engineering, colleges of education and university departments," higher education secretary D Karthikeyan said in a circular to all universities.

Professors from Anna University said the quality of graduates will improve only if exams are held offline. The university also decided to postpone the semester exams by two weeks to give time for colleges to prepare students for offline mode exams.

"The exams were originally scheduled to start from December 13. Now, the university decided to start the semester exams for students studying in third, fifth and seventh semesters from December 27," an official from Anna University said.

Madras University is also planning to conduct physical mode exams from the last week of December.

Anna University former vice-chancellor E Balagurusamy, said the state government's decision to conduct physical mode exams is a welcome move.

"The state government should not yield to the pressure from students and college management. In the interest of quality of education, the government should stick to their decision as the unsupervised online exams led to copying and other malpractices," he said.

Caught in quota tussle, MBBS, BDS admissions delayed

Caught in quota tussle, MBBS, BDS admissions delayed

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:

17.11.2021

Even two weeks after the declaration of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) results, the Tamil Nadu government is yet to call for applications for MBBS and BDS admissions, increasing anxiety and stress among medical aspirants. The delay also would affect students who may not get a medical seat as admissions would be closed to other professional courses by the time medical counselling ends.

Officials said the state has decided to wait for clarity over cases related to special quota for vanniyars and economically weaker sections (EWS) which are pending before the Supreme Court.

Dharani, a medical aspirant who has scored above 450 marks in NEET, said, the anxiety increases everyday as there was no information about admissions. "It has been two weeks since the NEET results were declared. The government is yet to call for applications. I want to know which college I would get admission to for my score," she said.

Another aspirant from the city who has scored 500, said she was stressed over the delay in admissions. "This year, the conduct of the NEET and declaration of results were delayed. There is no update about all-India quota admissions and state quota admissions so far. My friends who have selected engineering and other courses have started going to colleges. Even if the selection committee starts admission now, we will be able to go to medical college only in January 2022," she said.

After the 10.5% special quota for vanniyars was struck down by the Madras high court, the state government filed an appeal against the HC's order. A decision also expected in a few days on the petitions challenging the centre's decision to implement a 27% quota to OBCs and 10% reservation to EWS within all-India quota (AIQ) seats.

“We normally don’t start counselling here until at least one round of counselling is completed by the Medical Counselling Committee under the directorate general of health services,” said a senior official from the directorate of medical education. “This will give toppers an opportunity to choose seats from AIQ. Once they pay their fees and join a college, they are not allowed for counselling here. If we hold counselling before them there will be unnecessary movements,” the official said.

Meanwhile, health minister Ma Subramanian said the state would start counselling only after two rounds of counselling for all-India quota seats.

Mistaking for ex-wife, man hacks 32-year-old inside bank

Mistaking for ex-wife, man hacks 32-year-old inside bank

According to a police officer, the man attacked the woman mistaking her for his former wife, Susmitha, who is also an employee at the same bank.

Published: 16th November 2021 06:33 AM 

By Express News Service

KOZHIKODE: In a case of mistaken identity, a man hacked a 32-year-old woman inside a bank thinking her to be his former wife. Sreeshma suffered injuries when a drunk Biju, 47, attacked her inside the Cooperative Rural Bank in Nanmanda at 2pm. Police said the Nanmanda native is under treatment at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital and her condition is stable.

According to a police officer, the man attacked the woman mistaking her for his former wife, Susmitha, who is also an employee at the same bank. “Biju came to the bank to confront his ex-wife. He entered the cashier’s cabin where Sreeshma was sitting and hacked her from behind with a knife. She managed to escape from attack with minor injuries on hand. Other bank staff, who rushed to her rescue, soon caught him and handed over him to the police,” said the officer.

Susmitha, who is the regular cashier at the bank was on leave on Monday and Sreeshma was in her seat. Biju did not know that his former wife was on leave. Since Sreeshma was wearing a mask, the man may not have identified her, the officer said. Biju and Susmitha had divorced recently. However, exact motive behind the attack could be ascertained only after a detailed interrogation, the police said. The accused was charged under Section 324 (for stabbing) and 307 (attempt to murder) of IPC.

HC reserves order on medicine exams

HC reserves order on medicine exams

SagarKumar.Mutha@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad: 16.11.2021

Justice B Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana high court on Monday reserved his orders in a batch of petitions filed by MBBS students and their parents challenging the alleged faulty pattern of their first year annual examinations and seeking a second supplementary examination to save them from losing another year.

The students have already lost almost a year due to the Covid-19 lockdown. The students have been complaining about the missing multiple choice questions (MCQs) section in their exams. National Medical Commission (NMC) regulations and guidelines say that 20 per cent of the question paper must contain MCQs whereas the Kaloji health university has completely eliminated this section, they said.

When the court questioned the varsity whether it was willing to conduct a second supplementary exam as a one-time measure because the pandemic crippled all spheres of life, the university said it had to obtain NMC permission. However, the NMC counsel said that it was for the university to explain whether it deviated from the pattern fixed by the NMC. The judge reserved his orders.

Rlys looking to turn general coaches into AC compartments

Rlys looking to turn general coaches into AC compartments

Dipak.Dash@timesgroup.com

New Delhi: 16.11.2021

The railways is exploring the option to convert general coaches in long distance trains into AC compartments in its bid to provide a comfortable ride to the passengers who can’t pay high fare.

Sources said these coaches will have seating arrangements for 100-120 passengers and hence the fares would be much less so that common people can travel in these coaches. These compartments would be fully reserved and would have automatic closing doors. TOI has learnt that the brainstorming sessions on this plan have started in the railway ministry. The first AC General Class coach is likely to be manufactured in the Railway Coach Factory at Kapurthala in Punjab.

Though all long distance trains except premier ones such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Vande Bharat had unreserved general compartments before the Covid-19 pandemic, now all such coaches run as reserved compartments. Officials said if common passengers can get comfortable ride in AC coaches at affordable fare, then this should become a priority of the railways. Recently, railways introduced AC economy class coaches with lower fare than AC-3 tier as an option for passengers who opt for travel in sleeper class coaches. It also started the maiden service of an all-AC economy train.

India opens doors for vaxxed travellers from 99 countries

India opens doors for vaxxed travellers from 99 countries

But High Int’l Airfares Play Party Pooper

Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:16.11.2021

India on Monday reopened its doors for fullyvaccinated foreign tourists from across the world. Now, travellers who have got approved jabs are allowed in quarantine-free from as many as 99 countries, including the US, UK, UAE, Qatar, France and Germany. However, skyhigh international airfares due to limited air bubble flights are playing party pooper for both those who wish to come to India and those who wish to fly abroad for visiting friends and relatives or for just good old tourism.

A return economy class air ticket on Delhi-San Francisco or Delhi-Toronto for travel around Christmas and New Year is upwards of Rs 1.5 lakh, Mumbai-New York starts at Rs 1.2 lakh and Bengaluru-London is upwards of Rs 80,000. On peak travel days, a one-way ticket can cost more than prepandemic return fares.

A senior aviation ministry official had recently said flights under air bubbles will be increased as per demand. But a delay in doing so means a large number of people are forced to book at exorbitant rates and subsequent drop in fares due to more flights being allowed does not benefit them.

Travel Agent Federation of India joint secretary Anil Kalsi said, “The limited international flights have reduced capacity and led to manifold increase in fares. For example, Delhi-Dubai economy return is currently more than double of pre-pandemic level of under Rs 20,000. The government should consider resumption of scheduled international flights with countries where Covid is in control and which mutually accept our vaccines and certification.” German ambassador to India Walter J Lindner Tweeted Monday, “Incredible India opens its doors again, tourists now can fly to India. Happy that Covid19 situation in India has improved lots in last months. Hope soon regular commercial flights will fly again.”

Consumers and the diplomatic and travel community have requested the government to allow more international flights to allow airfares to return to saner levels. High airfares are hurting more due to “new” costs for travellers during Covid worldwide. A majority of countries require negative report of a Covid test taken within one to three days to allow travellers in.

Fake papers: 12 PCR constables dismissed after 13 yrs of service

New Delhi:  16.11.2021

As many as 12 Delhi Police constables posted in the PCR (Police Control Room) unit as drivers were dismissed from their duty, after almost 13 years of service, following a departmental inquiry over allegations of having submitted fake driving licences and documents during their recruitment in 2007.

A senior police officer said that a case was registered against the constables at Model Town police station for forging driving licences to get the job in Delhi Police by “deceitful means”. The dismissal order stated that the 12 constables are unfit for service.

According to the police, more than 81 candidates had applied for the job in 2007 and several tests were conducted before the selected individuals received their appointment letter.

An order issued by Delhi Police, signed by DCP Pankaj Kumar (operations and PCR), stated: “It has clearly been proven that the delinquent constables (drivers) deliberately and knowingly submitted a forged/fake driving licence by adopting deceitful means to seek recruitment. They all gave their residential address of Mathura in their licence, there’s no record of their residence in Mathura. It shows that the constables procured licences by adopting forged mean.” TNN

Vaccination status likely to be on boarding passes

Vaccination status likely to be on boarding passes

TNN | Nov 16, 2021, 05.35 AM IST

NEW DELHI: Soon, you may have your Covid vaccination status printed on your flight boarding pass, making your travel hassle-free and smooth.

The government is working on providing APIs for vaccination status at the time of web check-in with a mobile number. It is also exploring possibilities of having the vaccination status printed on all boarding passes — including the ones issued on spot.

An application programming interface (API) is needed to bring applications together in order to perform a designed function built around sharing data and executing pre-defined processes. APIs will also ensure end-to-end authentication, while passengers would not be required to carry their certificates for verification, official sources said.

The move is aimed at facilitating travellers, particularly those going abroad as some countries have raised issues with certification. “We are working with the ministry of civil aviation for providing APIs for vaccination status at the time of web check in through mobile number. It will perhaps also be possible to print the vaccination information on the boarding pass itself,” an official told TOI.

Hosps improvise as unused Covid vax doses near expiry

Hosps improvise as unused Covid vax doses near expiry

Some Cut Price, Others Give Free Jabs Under CSR

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

16.11.2021

Like street vendors calling attention to their wares, two women health workers from Assam were recently seen in a viral video carrying a blue box strapped to a bamboo pole and shouting: “First dose. Second dose. Corona vaccine. Anybody left out?”

The act may have amused many, but seen in the context of India’s imposing inoculation target and the anxiety of the health establishment over unused vaccines going past their expiry date, there is suspicion this goes beyond comic relief. Most officials TOI spoke to, however, scotched fears of vaccine wastage, or those about to expire being offered as booster shots secretly, or expired doses being dumped.

Hospital administrators, particularly those in the private sector, have adopted ingenious methods to clear their vaccine stockpile — including cutting the price of shots, using corporate social responsibility funds to vaccinate people for free, and exchanging doses with other hospitals to use up the idle stock.

SII, makers of Covishield, has been encouraging private hospitals to buy from those having doses in excess, instead of placing fresh orders. “We paid SII and it diverted the money to another hospital that gave us the cache,” said Dr HK Sale, executive director of Noble Hospital in Pune.

TCS employees to be back in office from year-end

REDUCING WFH

TCS employees to be back in office from year-end

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru: 16.11.2021

TCS has asked employees to return to its offices across the country by the end of this year, officially ending the near-two-year work-from-home policy that companies were forced to adopt due to the pandemic.

Those who are working from their hometowns have already been asked to get back to their base locations. The pandemic resulted in lakhs of employees across IT and technology companies – especially in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Gurugram – to relocate to their home towns due to the flexible work options.

“At present, we have about 5% of our associates working from offices. Towards the end of CY’21, we will encourage our associates to return to offices, at least initially, before we switch to the 25/25 model. This will be done in a phased and flexible manner and will depend on respective team leaders & the requirements of each team/ project. The return to office will be a calibrated move taking employee safety into consideration,” the company said in a statement.

The 25/25 model is one where the company will seek to have no more than 25% of its employees work from office at any point by 2025. “We are committed to the 25/25 model but before transition to the model we need to start by getting people back to office and gradually evolve to 25/25,” the company said.

TCS also said that 70% of its workforce in India are fully vaccinated and more than 95% have received at least one dose. The company has over 5 lakh employees. Wipro's senior leadership has been back in office, twice a week, from September. These include delivery heads, function heads, GMs, VPs and above. Infosys has also asked its people to return to their base locations.

S’pore to have ‘vaccinated travel lane’ with India

S’pore to have ‘vaccinated travel lane’ with India

Saurabh.Sinha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi  16.11.2021

Singapore on Monday announced to finally reopen its doors for fully vaccinated travellers from India starting November 29, through a “vaccinated travel lane” (VTL). Travellers under VTL are not subject to stay-home notice (SHN) on arrival. Instead, they need to produce a negative pre-departure test taken within two days prior to departure and undergo an on arrival PCR test, stated the island nation’s health ministry.

“Following discussions between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore will be launching a VTL for fully-vaccinated travellers from India with valid entry approvals starting November 29, pending resumption of commercial passenger flights,” the Singapore mission in India tweeted on Monday.

A Singapore Airlines (SIA) spokesperson said: “SIA does not currently operate passenger flights between Singapore and India. We remain guided by the authorities on our passenger services to and from India, and seek our customers’ patience and understanding while the bilateral air travel arrangements are being finalised. SIA will provide more information when it is available.”

Giving details of this much-awaited announcement, the Singapore government website stated: “To date, we have launched VTLs with Australia, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Korea, Spain, Switzerland, UK, and the US. We will be launching VTLs with Malaysia, Finland, and Sweden on November 29, 2021. We intend to launch VTLs with India and Indonesia from November 29, 2021, and with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE from December 6, 2021.” “Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore will provide more details desperately,” it added.

CHAOS AT KIA: Airline Sources Say Change In Validity Was Updated On Portal

RT-PCR TEST

8 denied boarding, staff seek -ve cert not older than 48 hrs

CHAOS AT KIA: Airline Sources Say Change In Validity Was Updated On Portal

Flyers Claim They Were Made To Undergo Another Test

Petlee.Peter@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:16.11.2021

Mechanical engineer Krishna of HSR Layout claimed he wasn’t permitted to board a flydubai flight to Dubai at Kempegowda International Airport on Sunday as the airline ground staff insisted he produce report of an RT-PCR test conducted within 48 hours before departure.

Krishna, who was carrying a negative report obtained within 72 hours, underwent a fresh rapid PCR test by paying Rs 3,000 and tested negative. Yet he was turned away citing the invalidity of the 72-hour report.

No prior SMS alert on the change in test period was sent by the airline, the 52-year-old Bengalurean alleged. Seven others supposed to take the flight, FZ 406, underwent the same ordeal. They were all forced to cancel their Bengaluru-Dubai tickets costing over Rs 30,000 each.

“We received no SMS alert regarding the RT-PCR test validity being reduced to 48 hours for passengers. I came from Dubai to Bengaluru with a test report taken within 72 hours before the journey. I was shocked on Sunday morning when the flydubai ground staff refused to accept my Covid negative report with a validity of 72 hours,” lamented the engineer, who was scheduled to fly on work. He cancelled his one-way ticket and rebooked his trip.

Sources with the Dubaibased carrier said it had been updated on its official portal that travellers from India will have to produce Covid test report within 48 hours prior to departure and all passengers had been advised to thoroughly go though the rules.

“Earlier, the flydubai portal had said the test report needed to be within 72 hours but on November 11, 2021, it was changed to 48 hours and flyers were not alerted. There was no intimation via phone calls or text messages, and we had to find out at the airport gates, which was a bitter experience,” lamented another flyer who was forced to cancel his FZ 406 ticket and return to his Indiranagar residence.

The 43-year-old passenger also alleged that the flydubai ground staff made all those who were carrying reports taken 72 hours earlier undergo a rapid PCR test (based on molecular diagnostic testing) usually conducted for boarding passengers.

“We paid Rs 3,000 each for the test with the belief that they would let us board the flight if we tested negative. But that was not the case,” said the passenger. “If they didn’t plan to allow us, why did they make us pay Rs 3,000 and undergo another test? It is clear harassment,” he added.

Sources in flydubai at KIA said information on Covid test result requirements has been updated country-wise on the official website and has been altered based on change in rules in UAE, which some passengers failed to notice.

However, they said that the rapid PCR test was part of standard Covid guidelines. The airline didn’t give its official version of the events till Monday evening.

CAUGHT UNAWARES: The flyers were forced to cancel their Bengaluru-Dubai tickets costing over Rs 30,000 each

Earlier, the flydubai portal had said the test report needed to be within 72 hours but on November 11, 2021, the duration was changed to 48 hours and flyers were not alerted. There was no intimation via phone calls or text messages

— A passenger

Can’t book one for whiff of booze: Ker HC

Can’t book one for whiff of booze: Ker HC

Kochi:  16.11.2021

The mere smell of alcohol on a person is not sufficient to book him for being in a public place in an intoxicated manner, the Kerala HC said on Monday.

Justice Sophy Thomas made the observation in a judgment on a plea filed by Salim Kumar through advocate IV Pramod. The petitioner, a village assistant, had challenged a case registered by Badiadka police under Section118(a) of the Kerala Police Act. “...Mere smell of alcohol can’t be construed to mean that the person was intoxicated or was under the influence of any liquor.” TNN

No proof to link he engaged in rioting: Court

As per Section 118(a), any person found in a public place in an intoxicated manner or riotous condition or incapable of looking after himself can be booked for causing grave violation of public order or danger. It is punishable with imprisonment up to three years or a fine up to Rs 10,000, or both.

The petitioner had contended that he was called to the police station at 7 pm to identify an accused and a false case was registered as he could not identify the accused as required by the police as the accused was a stranger to him.

In the judgment, the court said, “Consuming liquor in a private place without causing nuisance or annoyance to anybody will not attract any offence. Mere smell of alcohol also cannot be construed to mean that the person was intoxicated.”

Even if the petitioner had consumed alcohol, the available facts and materials in the case are not sufficient to suggest that he was not able to control himself or he committed rioting inside the police station, the court said while quashing the case.

80 GTU students failed for cheating

80 GTU students failed for cheating

Ahmedabad:  16.11.2021

Gujarat Technological University (GTU) has decided to fail 85 students caught cheating in summer exams held earlier this year. The varsity has also decided to forbid these students from taking next semester exams as well, said sources in GTU. They university had summoned 140 candidates in all who faced allegations of using ‘unfair means’ to clear the semester exams. TNN

Special trains to revert to regular status

Special trains to revert to regular status

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:16.11.2021

Ensure that you get your train number right before boarding. The Western Railway has decided that all special trains which are being operated due to Covid pandemic will now run as regular trains with regular numbers. For example, the Ahmedabad Delhi Rajdhani will now be running with its regular number of 12957. Earlier, this train was running with the number 02957. Officials said that it has now been decided that WR’s regular timetabled trains, which are presently operating as special trains, shall be operated with regular numbers and with fares as applicable.

Officials said that efforts are on to normalize the passenger services and revert back in a phased manner to the precovid levels of service. Also the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) of Railways will be shut down for 6:00 hours from 11.30pm — the lean business hours of the night for next seven days. This is to enable upgradation of system data and updating of new train numbers.

During the period, railways personnel will ensure advance charting for trains departing during the affected timings. Except for the PRS services, all other inquiry services including 139 services will continue uninterrupted.

GU likely to have 7,000 vacant BSc seats

GU likely to have 7,000 vacant BSc seats

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:16.11.2021

Colleges affiliated to Gujarat University are left with 6,000 empty seats for BSc courses. This is after the admission committee carried out three rounds of admissions so far this year for a total of 14,700 seats, said sources close to the development.

“The number of vacant seats at GU collages are expected to increase to 7,000 after admissions for medical, paramedical and pharmacy colleges are held in the state,” said sources.

After three rounds of admission, GU has given the task of filling the vacant BSc seats to the colleges. “These colleges will have to come out with a merit list and the admissions are to be endorsed by the university. This is going to be quite a task given the large number of vacant seats,” according to sources.

The response from students for admission in GU science colleges has been quite dull this year. So many seats are vacant in a year when the Class 12 candidates have got the benefit of mass promotion points out to the lack of interest among students for these courses.

Is state govt ready to launch RTI portal, asks high court

Is state govt ready to launch RTI portal, asks high court

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:16.11.2021

The Gujarat high court on Monday questioned the state government on whether it is ready to launch a portal through which citizens can file applications seeking information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act and asserted that the government can work out modalities later.

The bench headed by Chief Justice Aravind Kumar asked the government to reply to its question on Wednesday. The court’s query came in response to two PILs filed three years ago, demanding online processing of RTI applications and to create a payment gateway for those who seek information online.

Appearing for a petitioner, senior advocate Saurabh Soparkar submitted that the petitioner wants RTI applications to be processed online through a portal. The Centre and other states have already started accepting RTI applications through portals. He questioned why a developed state like Gujarat cannot do it. He termed the affidavit filed by the state government irrelevant and submitted that the government has taken three years on pretext of awarding contract to companies for the purpose of creating systems on how to track files with regard to RTI applications. “I want RTI application to be filed online and a payment gateway to pay fees, nothing more and nothing less. I do not desire to track the files in government department,” he submitted.

The state government submitted that the process of finalizing the system is underway. To this, the chief justice said whether the concerned government secretary can state on an affidavit that he would receive all RTI applications online. “We want a three-line answer whether you are ready to process RTI applications online or not? We do not want all details. The moment you enter in all those details, it will be surrounded by mystery,” the judge sought reply after two days.

After the senior advocate submitted that there are government agencies who want to set up payment gateway for free , another petitioner-advocate Sandeep Munjyasara drew the court’s attention on how the state government has taken three years to make a clear statement on this issue.

Clear six addl courses, get honours in engg

Clear six addl courses, get honours in engg

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 16.11.2021

Around one lakh students who joined engineering courses in Tamil Nadu in 2021-22 can earn BE, BTech degrees with honours in four years by clearing six extra courses or 18 credits.

They can also earn minor degrees in other branches by getting 18 credits in them. This was decided in a recent academic council meeting of Anna University. “If students get high grades till fourth semester in BE, BTech programmes, they will be allowed to select specialised courses in ME or MTech degree programmes. If they clear six specialised courses in a related field or get 18 extra credits, they will be awarded with honours degree,” Anna University vicechancellor R Velraj told TOI.

If a mechanical engineering student or civil engineering student completes six courses in artificial intelligence or machine learning, he or she will get a BE mechanical engineering degree with a minor in artificial intelligence or machine learning, he added.

Colleges welcome the move, say it will increase placements

The university is also thinking about implementing it for the second year students after making necessary changes in the regulations.

As per the 2021 regulations of Anna University, a student needs to secure a minimum 160 credits to get BE or BTech degree.

Colleges welcomed the move saying it would increase placement opportunities.

B Chidambararajan, principal of SRM Valliammai Engineering College, said, companies are expecting interdisciplinary skills among students with the emergence of newer technologies such as IoT. “In the present trend, a mechanical student should know about programming to improve his chances to get placement. So, interdisciplinary courses are the need of the hour and it is a welcome move by the university,” he said.

P Deiva Sundari, principal of KCG College of Technology, said, the move to introduce interdisciplinary degree (minor degree) will improve admissions in core engineering branches. “An honours degree will encourage students to specialise in any particular area in their relevant field. For example, a computer science degree student can specialise in full stag or data science,” she said.

HC bars HR&CE dept from setting up colleges using temple funds

HC bars HR&CE dept from setting up colleges using temple funds

Says That Proposals Must Come From Trustees

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:16.11.2021

In a setback to the Tamil Nadu government, in its endeavour to open new colleges out of the reserve funds of temples vested with the Hindu Religious and Charitable department (HR and CE), the Madras high court on Monday restrained the state from doing so.

The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P D Audikesavalu made it clear that such funds cannot be used for opening colleges till trustees are installed for all the temples under HR and CE as mandated by the HE and CE Act.

As per the act, the proposals to utilise such reserve funds for any purpose must come from the trustees of the temple concerned. Without such a proposal, the state cannot use the funds.

The court, however, permitted the state to establish four colleges in Chennai, Namakkal, Dindigul, and Tuticorin as the works to open the colleges are complete and admission of students are in process.

Apart from the four colleges the other proposed colleges will not be set up and no steps in such regard should be taken without the express previous leave of this court, the bench said. “It is also noticed that at the four colleges which are now ready to open, B.B.A., B.Com. and other similar courses have been offered, without there being any regular course in religious instructions in Hindu religion,” the judges said.

They added that it will be a condition precedent to the four colleges opening that a stream of religious instructions in Hindu religion be introduced. If such a course is not introduced within a month of the college starting, the further functioning of the college cannot continue.

“It must be appreciated that however pious the intention may be to use perceived surplus funds for the purpose of education, these funds are out of offerings for a particular cause and, ordinarily, the cause must not be forgotten and the same must be espoused with a part of the funds, even though the larger sphere of education may also be addressed,” the court said.

The court also made it clear that the functioning of the exempted four colleges will be subject to the outcome of the plea.

The court passed the interim order on a PIL T R Ramesh. According to the petitioner, merely because a policy statement was made on the floor of the assembly by a minister in the present government, the government has gone ahead with the proposal to divert funds from temples under the control of the HR and CE.

The court, however, permitted the state to establish four colleges in Chennai, Namakkal, Dindigul, and Tuticorin as the works to open the colleges are complete and admission of students are in process