Over 7L car buyers in queue to take delivery

Over 7L car buyers in queue to take delivery

Pankaj.Doval@timesgroup.com

New Delhi: 16.12.2021

If you are one of those who is anxiously waiting to get delivery of your new car but still can’t get hold of a confirmed date, don’t fret. You are one among the over 7 lakh buyers who are fighting a frustrating waiting period running into months, and sometimes almost a year.

The shortage of semiconductors and the sudden surge in demand post opening of the economy, as well as launch of new models — some of which have become blockbusters — has meant a long queue for deliveries as buyers scramble to purchase the vehicles. Sadly, for many, the delay in delivery means that they will need to pay more for their vehicle as prices applicable at the time of delivery need to be paid. Inputs costs have on an average increased by around 6% since the beginning of this year.

Chip shortage hits EV biz hard

There are waiting periods running into several months, and even a year for some, and the top models include Mahindra XUV7OO SUV, Maruti’s CNG variants, and SUVs such as Hyundai’s Creta, Kia’s Seltos, MG’s Astor, Tata’s Punch, Mercedes’s GLS, and Audi’s eTron electric.

So, how long is the waiting list that customers are enduring across individual brands? Maruti, the country’s biggest car maker with some of the most popular models, has a customer backlog of as many as over 2.5 lakh cars. Company MD & CEO Kenichi Ayukawa has often apologised to buyers for the delays, and top officials say that the situation is unprecedented.

“I have never seen this kind of a situation ever in my long career,” Maruti director (sales & marketing) Shashank Srivastava says. “The waiting period is across models, for almost all the manufacturers.”

Hyundai, the second biggest maker, has an equally big problem to tackle with over one lakh undelivered vehicles. Company MD S S Kim says that customers are always kept in the loop about delivery positions to ensure transparency.

The global shortage of semiconductors has emerged as a big impediment to any chances of an early ramp-up in production, and companies say that it will take time for the situation to normalise. The current assessment is that the problem will persist at least until the first half of 2022.

Tata Motors, which is riding high on the success of new models, is also estimated to have a waiting backlog of over one lakh cars. “Waiting period for various models varies between one and six months. Overall, our pending bookings are more than 3.5 times of our monthly sales,” Shailesh Chandra, president of Tata Motors’ passenger vehicles business, says.

The chip shortage, in fact, is having a very negative impact on the nascent electric vehicles business. Green vehicles pack in a lot of technology and require numerous chips as part of their architecture. Chandra agrees, “For electrics, the waiting period is the highest, and we are fast ramping up our supplies.” Then there are other companies such as Mahindra & Mahindra, which have seen superlative demand for new launches such as the Thar and the XUV7OO SUVs. Company director (auto sector) Rajesh Jejurikar has often said that the order-book has even surpassed their internal expectations by a wide margin, with delivery schedules spread across months.

According to dealer estimates, the delivery schedules for certain variants of the Thar are as long as one year, and the XUV7OO has seen an even faster ramp-up with the initial 50,000 bookings made in just two days.

Full report on www.toi.in

Waiting periods are running into several months, and even a year for some models

3 on death row acquitted by SC after 7 years in jail

3 on death row acquitted by SC after 7 years in jail

New Delhi: 16.12.2021

In a big relief to three prisoners who have been living under the shadow of death after being sentenced to death by a trial court and the Allahabad high court, the Supreme Court on Wednesday acquitted them in the murder case of six people who were slaughtereed in 2014 in UP’s Bulandshahr district, reports Amit Anand Choudhary.

A bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao, B R Gavai and B V Nagarathna said that the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt against the accused and remarked that it is “shocked” and “amazed” by the manner in which the trial court and Allahabad HC dealt with the case to prove guilt of the accused in the case.

‘We are amazed by manner in which HC has dealt with issue’

It said that some of the findings of the HC are “foreign” to criminal jurisprudence and the HC order also fell in the ambit of conjectures and surmises. “We are amazed by the manner in which the high court has dealt with the present matter,” the bench said while allowing the appeal filed by the accused Momin Khan, Jaikam Khan and Sajid. “We, therefore, find that the prosecution has utterly failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. The conviction and death sentence imposed on the accused is totally unsustainable in law,” the bench said.

Momin was accused of murdering his parents, brother and other relatives following a property dispute, with the help of Jaikam and Sajid. Momin’s wife was also sentenced to death by the trial court but the HC set aside her conviction.

According to the prosecution, on January 23, 2014 all the four accused killed Momin’s father, mother, brother Shaukeen Khan, sister-in-law Shanno, nephew and his brother’s niece in Bulandshahr.

After analysing all evidence, the apex court said that the trial court and HC had erred in convicting them when the evidence was not convincing enough to prove the guilt. “It is really surprising, as to how the additional sessions judge could have dealt with the present case in such a casual manner when he was considering the question of life and death of four accused,” it said.

The bench said that the findings of the trial court and the HC was not only contrary to the well settled law of the Evidence Act but attempts were made to put a burden on the accused, which does not shift unless prosecution has proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

DAV college teachers continue to protest for UGC pay scale

DAV college teachers continue to protest for UGC pay scale

Chandigarh:  16.12.2021

After a massive rally at Matka Chowk, the DAV College Teachers’ Union (DAVCTU) decided to intensify the agitation with round-the-clock fast by teachers on the campus.

On Thursday, Sumit Goklaney, president of DAVCTU and Shaminder Sandhu, senator, Panjab University will be fasting from 9am to 5pm and 5pm to 9am.

Meanwhile, in a meeting of district council held on Wednesday at DAV College, it was decided to motivate the cadre and be ready for stringent steps if their demands are not accepted. Teachers at DAV College also continued with the dharna at the campus and took out a march at Madhya Marg as a symbolic protest against the indifferent attitude of Punjab government. The chain hunger protest at DAV College entered the 10th day in a row on Wednesday.

PU teachers join call given by PFUCTO for a complete 'Education Bandh’

In 2021, NEET merits slip by up to 15 marks in Guj

In 2021, NEET merits slip by up to 15 marks in Guj

Bharat.Yagnik@timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad:  16.12.2021

Gujarat students did not fare very well in the Nation Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET), the uniform exam for admission in under-graduate medical courses in the country, in 2021. In fact, the pandemic year which saw the worst-ever second wave of death and disease due to Covid-19 has recorded merits of state students slipping by up to 15 marks.

Analysis of the merit list of NEET scores of 5,000 students of the state for the year 2021 reveals that from 500 rank onwards, the NEET score has consistently slipped as compared to year 2020.

For instance, a student at 500 rank in merit list has a score of 610 out of 700 this year which was 618 in 2020. Similarly, the analysis of scores at 900, 2,000, 3,000, 4000 and 5,000 ranks also shows a decline in merit ranging from nine to 15 marks.

From 500 rank onwards, the NEET score has consistently slipped

‘Online coaching reason for drop in cutoff’

Experts said that considering the slip in merit, it is expected that the cutoff for admissions in 5,000-odd medical seats in the state will go down. Students termed completely online coaching and schooling as the primary reason behind decline in NEET merit marks saying virtual learning did not give them enough scope to clear their doubts and give their best shot.

The few exceptions to this trend are that students in first place on the NEET merit in Gujarat have scored 715 marks. In 2020, the student on top of the list had 710 marks. Also, at 100th place, the merit this year is 667 which is four marks higher than the 663 score posted in 2020.

Anay Nanavati, a medical aspirant who scored 618 marks says that they studied virtually under immense stress of the deadly Covid second wave. "In 2020, students had completed their course and were on study leave when Covid struck. For us, the whole class 12 and NEET coaching was online which adversely impacted performance. I personally feel my score would have been 50 marks higher if I had physically attended classes," said Nanavati.

Medical intake: Documents of 390 candidates verified

Ahmedabad:

As many as 390 candidates have got their documents verified in the second round of admission for medical, dental, ayurveda, and homeopathy colleges. So far, 25,008 candidates have been registered in the two rounds of admissions conducted by Admission Committee for Professional Undergraduate & Medical Educational Courses (ACPUGMEC) this year. In the second phase, out of total 177 students registered in the open category, 120 completed document verification process. A total of 536 students have registered, of which documents of only 390 have been verified so far. The committee had earlier announced that it has completed the registration process for self-financed ayurveda and homeopathy courses for 15% all India quota. A total of 26,186 had purchased the PINs. TNN

Cabinet clears draft Bill for linking Aadhaar & voter ID

Cabinet clears draft Bill for linking Aadhaar & voter ID

Will Be Voluntary; Part Of Proposed Electoral Refoms

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:16.12.2021

The Union cabinet on Wednesday cleared proposed amendments to the electoral law seeking to bring in key reforms such as voluntary linkage of voter ID with Aadhaar so as to weed out bogus and duplicate entries in electoral rolls.

Another reform sought to be implemented is on allowing multiple qualifying dates in a year, rather than only January 1, for those above 18 years, to register themselves as voters, sources said. The draft Bill to amend the Representation of the People Act (RPA) approved by the Cabinet and likely to be brought before Parliament in the ongoing winter session, purportedly proposes to make gender-neutral a provision allowing only the wife of a male service voter to register as a voter in the same constituency as him.

A fourth likely amendment seeks to empower the Election Commission to requisition premises for any purpose related to elections and not just for creating polling stations and storage of ballot boxes.

Sources said the Bill to amend the RP Act proposes to empower the electoral registration officer to seek Aadhaar number of existing as well as new voters, albeit only on a voluntary basis. The Aadhaar number will only be used for the purpose of voter authentication.

While the multiple dates for registration of newly-eligible voter — the cabinet is said to have cleared four dates of January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 in a given year — will be made possible through an amendment to Section 14(b) of the RP Act, the gender-neutral registration facility for spouses of service voters is sought to be implemented by amending Section 20(6) of the Act.

In 2015, EC took up linking task

Also, the proposed amendment to Section160(1)A of the RP Act will empower the EC to requisition premises for any purpose including for housing central paramilitary forces, its employees and observers.

Incidentally, the EC had in 2015 taken up linking of voter card and Aadhaar number as part of its National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme (NERPAP). Around 32 crore Aadhaar numbers were seeded by the time the EC decided to abandon the programme in view of the Supreme Court judgment restricting the use of Aadhaar.

Following the SC judgment in 2019 allowing collection of Aadhaar with due amendment in the Aadhaar Act, the EC wrote to the law ministry seeking a suitable amendment to enable mandatory linking of voter card with Aadhaar. This was agreed to by the law ministry. EC officials said Aadhaar-EPIC linkage will also help realise the commission’s plan to work towards secure, possibly electronic, voting to help migrant voters — including domestic workers, migrant labourers etc — exercise their franchise even if they are not in the constituency where they are registered as voters.

Govt set to trim list of univ VC aspirants before guv chooses

Govt set to trim list of univ VC aspirants before guv chooses

Bhavika Jain & Hemali Chhapia

Mumbai:  16.12.2021

Whittling down the autonomy of public universities, the state cabinet on Wednesday cleared amendments to the Maharashtra Public University Act, 2016, and decided to shortlist vice-chancellor candidates. Altering the selection method, the state will now receive the list of five nominees picked by the selection panel, choose two and dispatch them to the governor, the chancellor of universities, to finally pick the candidate.

Taking a cue from the agriculture universities, the state also decided the higher education minister will now be the pro chancellor of all state public universities. The pro VC, who is appointed by the chancellor in consultation with the VC, will now be only from a government or an aided college.

“The VC selection process has been changed to avoid the political interference of the chancellor,” said a state officer.

To date, the selection was free of governmental interference. The VC/proVC search panel was headed by a governor’s nominee, one member was recommended by the management council and the third by the academic council. It invited applications, shortlisted aspirants, interviewed them and sent five names to the chancellor, who picked one.

Higher and technical education minister Uday Samant told TOI that these recommendations were made by an expert panel under Sukhdev Thorat, former UGC chairman. The panel was formed to suggest changes in the Act for effective implementation of the national education policy. “The agricultural universities have a post of pro chancellor, which is held by the agriculture minister. It was only the universities under the higher and technical education department which did not have the post,” said Samant. “Also, as far as the selection process of VCs and pro VCs is concerned, we have followed the procedure in the central universities in which the selection panel sends its recommendations to the government which then sends it to the President,” said Samant.

The minister denied speculation that the decision is likely to become another flashpoint between the governor and the MVA government. “The governor is a constitutional post and there is no question of taking away its rights,” said Samant. The ties between the MVA government and Governor B S Koshyari have been strained with differences on a host of issues, including the governor-nominated seats in the legislative council.

Educationist and former principal Anil Rao condemned the decision. “This is an unwarranted attack on the pre-supposed autonomy of academics. The chancellor is the apex authority and above all politics. Higher education should be completely autonomous and miles away from politics. Also, vested dubious interest will creep in with the decision to appoint the higher education minister as the pro chancellor.”

“It is doubtful if there is such over-centralisation of university functions and powers with the government in any other state,” said A Mathew, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration.

CBI to investigate TNPSC exam scam

CBI to investigate TNPSC exam scam

The judges, however, had orally questioned the TNPSC as to why the examination conducted in the two centres where the malpractice is said to have taken place was not cancelled.

Published: 15th December 2021 05:02 AM 

By Express News Service

MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, transferred the investigation into the TNPSC Group IV-2019 exam scam to the CBI.

A Division Bench of Justices Pushpa Sathyanarayana and P Velmurugan passed the order on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed last year by one I Mohamed Razvi, an advocate from Madurai. Razvi alleged that the scam could not have been orchestrated without the help of higher officials and he was dissatisfied with the CB-CID’s probe as the department has arrested only some of the candidates and the alleged middlemen. Apprehending that a State agency like CB-CID may not expose the involvement of higher officials of the State, he wanted the investigation to be transferred to the CBI.

In the previous hearing last month, the CB-CID had told the court there was indeed negligence on the part of the TNPSC officials in carrying out their duties but except the two staff – a record clerk and a typist – no other official was found to have colluded in the scam.

The judges, however, had orally questioned the TNPSC as to why the examination conducted in the two centres where the malpractice is said to have taken place was not cancelled. They also asked why the tampering of the wax seal of the transit van, in which the answer sheets were transported to Chennai, was not identified at the initial stage; they had then adjourned the case.

On Tuesday, the Bench allowed Razvi’s plea and transferred the investigation from the CB-CID to the CBI and directed it to hold a free and fair investigation. In the TNPSC Group-IV examination held in September 2019, 99 candidates from Rameswaram and Keelakarai exam centres in Ramanathapuram district reportedly used pens having ‘vanishing ink’ to mark their answers in the OMR sheet.

Later, some persons, allegedly with the help of two TNPSC staff, tampered with the answer sheets when they were being transported to Chennai in a van, and filled the correct answers on the sheets. The CB-CID investigated the scam and arrested 118 persons.

17-year-old twin brothers attempt suicide, one dies

17-year-old twin brothers attempt suicide, one dies

Police Suspect Duo To Be Under NEET Pressure

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Vadodara:  15.12.2021

Tragedy struck the Patel household in Shantam Residency on New Alkapuri Road in Vadodara when 17-year-old twin brothers studying in Class 12 attempted suicide on Monday evening. While one of them died, the other brother is under treatment at a private hospital in the city.

The police suspect that the brothers took the extreme step due to pressure of performing well in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), but they are yet to ascertain the exact reason. According to the police, Rupen Patel and Rehan Patel, whose parents are teachers at a school in Anand, were science stream students at a school in Karelibaug.

“The duo was preparing for NEET. One of their friends said that they were under pressure to score good marks. As of now, we believe that it may be the reason behind the suicide, but further investigation is on,” said R K Gosai, police sub-inspector, Laxmipura police that has filed a case of accidental death.

Gosai said that Rupen and Rihan were studying in their room on Monday afternoon and their elder brother Maulik (19) was in the next room. “Rupen and Rehan took separate towels and hung themselves to the ceiling fan. While Rupen died on the spot, Rehan fell on the floor as the towel came off the fan,” Gosai told TOI. The incident came to light when their father Rajesh Patel came home from work at about 5.30 pm on Monday. He went into Rupen and Rehan’s room and raised alarm after seeing Rupen hanging from the fan. Rehan, who was unconscious, was rushed to the hospital.

Sub-inspector Gosai said that the brothers haven’t left any suicide note or sent message to anyone before taking the extreme step. “We have questioned the parents too but they have no idea as to why their sons took the step. We will be able to get more details once Rehan’s condition stabilizes and he gives a statement,” Gosai added.

Man fails physical test for cops, ends life

Rajkot:15.12.2021

A 26-year-old man ended his life by consuming a poisonous substance after he failed the physical examination for police recruitment for the third time. According to police, the deceased was identified as Nikunj Makwana, a resident of Lili Sajadiyari village near Sardhar in Rajkot taluka. Police said he consumed poison on Monday evening at his residence. He used to work at a snack factory in Rajkot. Makwana had appeared for the physical test for recruitment as police sub-inspector on Sunday. However, he failed the test, for the third consecutive time and got depressed, his family members told police. TNN

Why not recruit docs with better perks: HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:  15.12.2021

The Gujarat high court on Tuesday questioned the state government why it does not recruit specialist doctors by offering them higher perks.

The court raised the question during the arguments on petitions filed by 452 post-graduate medical students who are practising now, but had approached the court after the state government threatened them with criminal action for not reporting on Covid duty during the second wave of the pandemic.

They had offered to pay Rs 10 lakh bond amount, but the state government was unrelenting then. However, it changed its stance later and started accepting bond amount and freed 114 such petitioners from their bond because they paid in lieu of serving in rural areas for one year as part of their bond conditions.

On shortage of doctors that led the government to pressurise the bonded doctors to take up Covid duty, the high court opined that the government can offer them better salaries to attract and retain them for rural services. To this, the government submitted that it has offered them salaries on par with private hospitals, but the specialist doctors were not ready to join the duty. Those who joined also left after few months. The HC completed hearing on the petitions filed by 452 bonded doctors and reserved its verdict.

BJ Medical College gets 157 junior resident docs

BJ Medical College gets 157 junior resident docs

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad: 15.12.2021

BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, on Tuesday appointed 157 junior resident doctors to reduce the burden on resident doctors in their second year of PG medical courses.

“About eight positions lie vacant after the appointment of 157 doctors,” said an official aware of the developments. “Of these, 22 junior doctors have been appointed in the general medicine department and 21 in the general surgery department.” The state health department last week had issued a notification for allowing the recruitment of junior resident doctors at governmentrun medical colleges. The junior doctors are to be paid a fixed monthly salary of Rs 63,000 which is inclusive of all entitlements, the notification says.Among others, 12 junior doctors were appointed in the paediatrics department and 16 in the anaesthesiology department at Civil Hospital on Tuesday.

The resident doctors of Gujarat, who joined the recent nationwide protests over the delay in NEET-PG 2021 counselling, have been demanding medical officers to assist them till the new batch joins.

NEET-PG exams for MD/MS admissions are usually held in January, but due to Covid they were conducted in September. While counselling was to commence on October 25, petitions challenging a central government notification has stalled the process. Senior resident doctors (final-year students from the 2018 batch) were relieved a few months ago. As a result, hospitals have been managing with only two batches, instead of three.

Ex gratia for Covid relief can be applied via TN govt portal

Ex gratia for Covid relief can be applied via TN govt portal

covid

15.12.2021

Applications for ex gratia for people, who died due to Covid-19, are available on www.tn.gov.in. According to a press release, the ex gratia relief application form is available on the ‘what’s new’ section of the Tamil Nadu government's official website, where applications can be filled online for the purpose.

It may be recalled that the state government had announced a compensation relief of ₹50,000 for the families of those persons who succumbed to Covid-19, last week. TNN

Spl court sentences inspector to three-year RI for graft

Spl court sentences inspector to three-year RI for graft

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:15.1`2.2021

A special court dealing with Prevention of Corruption Act cases found a former police inspector guilty of corruption and sentenced him to three years rigorous imprisonment. DVAC searches found he had amassed wealth 370% more than his known sources of income.

Mohammed Nazeer joined the police department in 1987 as a sub-inspector. According to the prosecution, the DVAC (Directorate of Vigilance and anti-corruption) received a complaint about Nazeer possessing disproportionate assets while he was an inspector with the Prohibition and enforcement wing in Tiruvallur district in 2009.

DVAC verified his assets from 1999 to 2006 and found that he and his wife had amassed wealth to the extent of Rs 22 lakh but could not account for it satisfactorily. During the check period, Nazeer’s income was only about Rs 6 lakh, the prosecution submitted.

His wife was a homemaker with no income and she abetted Nazeer in amassing the wealth by agreeing to register properties in her name, the prosecution stated. The prosecution submitted the final report before the court in 2012.

In response, the inspector denied the charges and his counsel submitted that Nazeer and his wife were not in good terms and had been living separately. The property registered in her name was from the money given by her family members.

After perusing documents submitted by both sides, the court noted that Nazeer could not submit anything to substantiate his contention that he separated from his wife within one year of marriage and noted that during crossexamination, his wife had said that had been living for 16 years as a couple.

Based on the evidence, the former inspector was sentenced to three years imprisonment and his wife to one year imprisonment. The properties acquired are to be confiscated by the state, the court said.

SABHAS GET COOKING ON SEASON SAAPADU

Ragam Tanam Margazhi

SABHAS GET COOKING ON SEASON SAAPADU

Canteens return with fewer covers, signature dishes and traditional recipes

Priya.Menon@timesgroup.com

15.12.2021

It’s early in the morning, but Venkatesan Krishnan is up and about. At 7.30am, he opens the doors to his sabha canteen in Mylapore Fine Arts. And as the crowd trickles in and swells to a packed house by lunch, he feels a satisfaction he hasn’t experienced in a long time.

“Serving at sabhas is something that I look forward to,” says Krishnan, who runs Sastha Catering Services in Porur. “Last year, I did run a canteen for the same sabha, but this year, it’s more vibrant.”

While Covid-19 saw sabhas conduct online performances in 2020, a few of them have opened their doors to live performances this year. And where there are sabhas, can food be far behind? That’s why they have got their favourite caterers to run their canteens for rasikas who are delighted to feast on the elaborate ela sappadu, delicious kasi halwa, and crispy keerai vadas followed by a cup of freshly brewed filter coffee.

“We serve a kalyana sappadu with 26 dishes and a different menu every day for lunch. And on January 1 and 2, we will have a special New Year saapadu that will be a mix of TN, Kerala and AP cuisines,” says Krishnan. Their signature dishes include elaneer payasam, palada pradhaman and chakka pradhaman.

“The canteen is open till January 3, 2022. People can pre-order and book through WhatsApp. We are also available on food delivery apps,” says Krishnan.

K Srinivasan, one of the proprietors of the Mountbatten Mani Iyer canteen, is happy to be back on the sabha circuit. They have been running the canteen at Parthasarathy Swami Sabha from 2000 to 2019 but were forced to take a break last year due to the pandemic.

“This year, we won’t be serving breakfast on weekdays, though tea and coffee will be available. On weekends, we may serve breakfast,” says Srinivasan. “The ela sappadu will continue, and in the evening, we will serve tiffin items like bajji, bonda and vada.”

Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels has tied up with Karthik Fine Arts to conduct the Grand Gana Sabha festival from December 16, 2021, to January 13, 2022. “Performances will be held in the hotel lobby from 7pm to 8.30pm,” says Elango Rajendran, senior general manager, Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels, adding that live performances will be held only on weekends, though sabha food will be available on all the days.

“We are also inviting residents to attend and experience the concerts and the food,” says Elango.

Sabha food, with a twist, will be served at their restaurant J.Hind. “We want to take traditional food to youngsters. It doesn’t surprise me when they ask what’s kambu dosa, or kuzhi paniyaram,” says Elango, adding that they also explain the origins of each dish. “For example, Ashoka halwa originated in Thiruvaiyaru, a panchayat town in Thanjavur district. It is a popular dish prepared during the month of Margazhi.” Other dishes include mullaikangal keerai vada, and banana flower fritters with chunky mustard and tomato.

The sabhas have also ensured safety measures are in place. “People have to show their vaccination certificates before entering the canteen,” says Krishnan.

Srinivasan says they plan to seat two people at a table instead of three. “It’s a challenge but we are glad to be back,” he says.

Chennai: 72-yr-old dies after fall from train’s top berth

Chennai: 72-yr-old dies after fall from train’s top berth

TNN | Dec 14, 2021, 03.45 AM IST

CHENNAI: A 72-year-old-man died after slipping and falling in his sleep from the upper berth of an express train to Chennai on Sunday night. A Government Railway Police (GRP) team, which examined the body at Tambaram station, found his spectacles broken and blood around the left ear.

The deceased, Narayanan of Karaikudi, was part of a 20-member group which was on a pilgrimage to a temple in Vadakara in Kerala and planned to start from a temple in Chennai’s Mannady (Parry’s). The group boarded S2 coach in Silambu Express (Sengottai to Chennai Egmore) on Saturday. After dinner, Narayanan took the upper berth. He is believed to have slipped and fallen to the floor of the coach at Maraimalai Nagar, but the others in the group failed to notice it immediately. After 10 minutes, some people found him lying on the floor bleeding from the ear. His co-passengers tried to help him, as he was unconscious. The authorities were alerted. At Tambaram station, the railway health staff who reached the compartment declared Narayanan dead. The Tambaram GRP registered a case and sent the body to the Chromepet GH for postmortem. Doctors there told police they found blood around the left ear and that a piece from the broken spectacles may have pierced him. He had removed his spectacles and placed them in the pocket on the left side of his shirt, police said.

Police said he was allotted berth 57 (lower), but slept on berth 60 (upper). “We suspect he could have swapped seats with someone and slept on the upper berth from where he slipped while he was asleep,” said an investigating officer.

Fake degrees scams busted in Rajkot

Fake degrees scams busted in Rajkot

TNN | Dec 13, 2021, 04.10 AM IST

RAJKOT: Two rackets of making and selling fake educational degree certificates and markets were busted in Rajkot with the police arresting three persons including a woman.

The degree certificates were made for students who were aspiring to go to Canada for further studies or immigrate.

The special operations group (SOG) sources said that over a dozen bogus MBA certificates were seized from the accused during the raid that was conducted by the cops a fortnight ago. The cops said that further investigations may lead to more arrests in the case.

The SOG sleuths had nabbed Paras Khajuria near his house on Vidyanagar Road after they received a tip-off that he was selling bogus degree certificates. When his two-wheeler was checked, the investigators found 11 degree certificates of MBA and marksheets. The degrees were from Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Agra and Allahabad University.

“We sent the degrees to the respective universities to ascertain if they were genuine. On Saturday, we got the reply from the universities that the degree certificates were fake following which we arrested Khajuria,” said deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Manoharsinh Jadeja. Khajuria is a visa agent and helps aspiring students to immigrate to Canada.

Apart from providing service to genuine clients, Khajuria used to look for the aspirants who wanted to immigrate but didn’t have an MBA degree that helps in getting more points for permanent residence (PR) in Canada. He was engaged in the racket of making bogus degrees for the last six years. When asked how he managed to get fake degrees, Khajuria said that Darshan Kotak, a resident of Ahmedabad, used to send him the degrees,” Jadeja added.

Khajuria used to charge anywhere between Rs 70,000 to Rs one lakh per degree from the aspirants. He used to keep half the money and send the rest to Kotak who too has been booked by the police for fraud.

Police also booked Vaibhav Patadia, Apurva Patel and Viral Goradia in whose names the seized certificates were issued. Khajuria has been sent to one day of police custody by the court. Vaibhav, who was looking to get more points in PR, too has been arrested.

In a separate case of bogus certificates, a 35-year-old woman too has been arrested from the city. Dharmishta Makadia, a resident of Sadhu Vasvani Road, was making fake MBA degrees for the last one year. Police seized five bogus degrees and seven photocopies from her. “The fake degrees were in the name of William Carey University based in Meghalaya. She used to charge Rs 70,000 per degree certificate,” Jadeja said.

Police said was earlier booked in Maharashtra too for the similar crime.

Makadia told the investigators that a Delhi-based man Prakash Yadav, who was her Facebook friend, used to send her fake degrees. She claimed that Yadav gave her the idea of how to execute the racket. Police also booked Malti Trivedi and Maulik Jasani, in whose names the bogus certificates seized from Makadia, were issued. She has been remanded to one day of police custody by the court.

Absence of juniors mounts pressure on Tamil Nadu’s medicos

Absence of juniors mounts pressure on Tamil Nadu’s medicos

Seniors working longer hours as PG NEET counselling delayed

Published: 13th December 2021 03:33 AM 

By Sinduja Jane

Express News Service

CHENNAI: There has been no respite for Dr Sangeetha* from her tiring work schedule for more than a year now. The 26-year-old is among the many second year post-graduate students in the State’s government medical college hospitals, who have lost their sleep as they still don’t have any juniors to share their burden. The delay in the counselling for PG NEET 2021 has meant that these students, who are obliged to work in hospitals as part of the course, have a hectic life at the start of their careers.

“My emergency duty started at 7.30 am on Saturday and I finished around 12.30 pm on Sunday. My next shift starts at 6 pm. I am physically and mentally exhausted, and have lost my personal life. I don’t even have time to attend to my mother’s phone calls,” said Sangeetha.

Sangeetha said once during her first year, she started her duty on a Saturday and got relieved only on Tuesday evening. “This is still continuing. Even though I am in the second year, I still do basic works in wards, which are supposed to be done by first year students,” she said. First year PG doctors have to follow-up patients, admit them, take their history, check their blood pressure before surgeries, and get clearance from specialist doctors for the surgery of patients with comorbidities. Post surgery, they have to check on the patient’s condition, Sangeetha said.

Dr Keerthy Varman, a second year PG doctor at the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, said, “Our work has only doubled since the pandemic. Now, non-Covid services have also resumed. Then there were the medical camps during floods, and Covid vaccination duty. We have to do all these.” The doctors rued that the busy hours have left them with very little time for their studies. “There is no time for our peripheral postings to other departments such as cardio-thoracic, where we learn their specialities. When will I study my lessons or learn new things when I am still busy doing routine ward works,” asked Dr Keerthy Varman. He added that they were compensating for about 2,000 PG first year students (including diploma) in government medical colleges, who are yet to be let in.

A second year PG student at the Royapettah Government Hospital said, “If juniors are there, they can take care of ward duties on the days we go for peripheral duty. But now if we leave and go for peripheral duty, no one is there to do routine works.” The doctors said they are still uncertain on until when the situation would continue. The PG counselling was temporarily suspended due to a case on the EWS quota seats, which is pending in the Supreme Court.

The doctors association had recently met Health Minister Ma Subramanian and requested the State Government to pressurise the Union Government, and request the Supreme Court to finish the hearing quickly and conduct the counselling. It had demanded contract extension for doctors recruited for mini-clinics, and posting them in hospitals under the Directorate of Medical Education till the first year PG students come. It had also asked for the service of Covid medical officers who were temporarily recruited during the Covid second wave, to compensate the manpower shortage. Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry has issued a plea to fast track the court hearing.

*Name changed

TTD issues Government Order on use of Tamil, then flouts it

TTD issues Government Order on use of Tamil, then flouts it

They mention several names of officials in English despite the mandate that all the names and initials in the government documents must be only in Tamil.

Published: 13th December 2021 04:13 AM 

By S Kumaresan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: It was on Thursday that the Tamil Development Department (TDD) issued a Government Order (G.O.) mandating that State government departments use only Tamil names and initials on documents. Going by the DIPR statements issued since then by various departments, it seems the government itself is flouting that order.

Several DIPR statements shows names of ministers PK Sekar Babu, N Kayalvzihi, KN Nehru, MRK Panneerselvam and MPs SR Parthiban, AKP Chinraj and KRN Rajeshkumar with English initials, a stark contrast to the order.

According to the G.O., two earlier orders — one in 1978 and another in 1998 — and a government letter issued in 1997 on the same matter, too, had not been properly implemented. The new G.O. was supposed to be implemented to the letter from the date of its issue.

After the TDD G.O., the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) released press statements mentioning names with English initials. The number of the press releases that had the English initials are 1313, 1314, 1319, 1323 and 1325.

They mention several names of officials in English despite the mandate that all the names and initials in the government documents must be only in Tamil. It must be noted that the DIPR statements are considered to be government officials’ documents as messages are conveyed to the public through these statements.

As per the order, Minister KN Nehru’s name must have the Tamil initials ‘Kaa Na’. But, the press note merely had the Tamil letters pronounced in English letters: ‘KN’. Likewise, most of the ministers, elected representatives and other names mentioned in the DIPR statements are in violation of the TDD order.

Similarly, since Friday, the Greater Chennai Corporation also issued various press releases, of which, the press releases 347, 349 and 350 have names with English initials. This is a blatant violation of the G.O by government departments.

Commenting on the violation of the order by government departments, a retired officer of the department, told TNIE, on condition of anonymity, “There is no accountability in the implementation of the G.O.s to ensure Tamil as an official language. The government didn’t take action against officials for this violation despite repeated complaints raised by the TDD.”

He added, “As per the powers vested with the TDD authorities, we can only inspect government offices for usage of Tamil; whether authorities sign in Tamil and prepare files and send messages in Tamils. But we can’t take any action against the authorities even if we find them guilty.”

He also said, “To take action, we have to write to the district collector and only the collector can initiate action through their department head. Hence, none have been punished so far. Earlier G.O.s on the matter have also been left without implementation.”

‘No action taken despite TDD plaints’

A retired official said, “There is no accountability...to ensure Tamil as an official language. No action was taken against errant officials despite repeated complaints from the TDD.”

Footboard travel of students: Who will take responsibility?

Footboard travel of students: Who will take responsibility?

B Veeranan, a student studying in a private matriculation school in Anna Nagar residing in Karuppayurani, said the students prefer to travel on footboard mainly to make the girls notice them.

Published: 14th December 2021 02:53 AM 

School students travelling on footboard at Vepery in Chennai | P Jawahar

By Jeyalakshmi Ramanujam

Express News Service

MADURAI: Sample this: There is enough room inside, but most of the youth prefer to put their lives at risk by hanging on to the railings of the footboard, clutching their lives in their hand. Their reason is simple: To impress girls.

B Veeranan, a student studying in a private matriculation school in Anna Nagar residing in Karuppayurani, said the students prefer to travel on footboard mainly to make the girls notice them.

“Usually the girls sitting inside the bus would turn back and notice the boys travelling on footpath. It gives us courage and confidence to speak to the girls when they come out of the bus,” he said.

G Arun, a college student who travels from Villapuram to Tallakulam daily said: “From class X onwards, I am a ‘footboard traveller’. I prefer to travel on the rear footboard only when the speed of the bus is too much. If the speed is higher, there is always a chance to fall down. We the footboard travellers have two benefits. One, we will be able to see the girls inside the bus and those waiting in each and every stop. On each step, six boys can travel. In total, 18 boys can stand on the footboard freely,” he said.

Chief Educational Officer R Swaminathan said he will send a circular to all the school heads to spread awareness among students about the dangers of footboard travel.

“I will urge the heads to monitor, depute teachers in each and every bus stop to curb this,” he said.

Speaking to TNIE, TNSTC CITU District Secretary, A Kanagasundar, said bus drivers or conductors alone cannot end the footboard travel.

“Though no driver or conductors received notice or fine in the district, penalty of Rs 100 was slapped on bus drivers and conductors in other districts. The penalty is adding to their stress,” he said.

Speaking to TNIE, Joint Transport Commissioner Pon Senthilnathan said, “A Whatsapp group will be created by each RTO with the school heads, TNSTC staff and traffic police personnel in their respective jurisdiction in a bid to put an end to this issue.”

B Veeranan, a student studying in a private matriculation school in Anna Nagar residing in Karuppayurani, said the students prefer to travel on footboard mainly to make the girls notice them.

In a first, Centre gives nod for PG seats at Omandurar MCH

In a first, Centre gives nod for PG seats at Omandurar MCH

With this, the number of PG medical seats in government medical colleges has increased to 1,992 from 1,964.

Published: 14th December 2021 02:37 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Government Omandurar Medical College Hospital (GOMCH), which was started in 2015 with 100 MBBS seats, got approval from the Union Health Ministry for starting a Postgraduate medical course with 28 seats, said Health Minister Ma Subramanian.

Speaking to reporters on Monday after inaugurating various facilities announced in the budget session at GOMCH, the Health Minister said the college got approval for PG seats for the first time.

Dr R Jayanthi, Dean, GOMCH told TNIE that the permission was granted for six seats each in MD in General Medicine, MD in Paediatrics, MS in General Surgery, three seats each in MD in Anaesthesia and MS in Orthopaedics, and four seats in MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

The students will be enrolled from this academic year, the Dean said.

With this, the number of PG medical seats in government medical colleges has increased to 1,992 from 1,964. The minister further said the Union Health Ministry also gave approval for 50 additional MBBS seats at the Coimbatore Government Medical College. With this, the State has received 1,500 additional MBBS seats this year.

‘No Omicron cases yet’

So far, 25 international travellers from ‘at risk’ and ‘non-risk’ countries have tested positive for Covid-19 in Tamil Nadu.

Of samples sent to InStem in Bengaluru for genome sequencing, the four results that came back had Delta variant and not Omicron.

So, there are no Omicron cases in Tamil Nadu yet, said Subramanian. Earlier, the minister inaugurated five facilities at the GOMCH — Cognition Rehabilitation and Day Care Centre, Emergency Care and Rehabilitation Centre, Internet De-addiction Centre, Post Natal Depression Counselling and a Newborn Hearing Special Screening facility.

Chennai book fair from January 6-23 at YMCA Grounds; Stalin to inaugurate event

Chennai book fair from January 6-23 at YMCA Grounds; Stalin to inaugurate event

BAPASI, which organises the fair, said all Covid-19 protocol stipulated by the State government will be followed and the fair will be used as a platform to create awareness on safety.

Published: 14th December 2021 02:40 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin will inaugurate the 45th Chennai book fair at the YMCA Grounds in Nandanam from January 6 to 23. During weekdays, the fair will be open from 3 pm to 8:30 pm and on weekends and government holidays including Pongal, from 11 am to 8:30 pm.

SK Murugan, secretary of BookSellers’ and Publishers’ Association of South India (BAPASI), which organises the fair, said all Covid-19 protocol stipulated by the State government will be followed and the fair will be used as a platform to create awareness on safety.

“We are discussing with officials the possibility of having a vaccination camp within the premises and we will also make sure to intensify awareness campaigns,” Murugan said. Masks and sanitisers will be distributed at the venue.

The programme schedule and details will be available by the first week of January, said Murugan.

In 2021, the fair was conducted in late February which resulted in organisers and publishers losing out on the Pongal holidays that usually brings in a large number of visitors.

In addition, several city residents had moved out of the city to their hometowns due to the work from home option.

When usually an average of 12 lakh people visit the fair, only eight lakh people had turned up and the revenue dropped around Rs 2 crore from the usual average. Political parties’ functionaries, who are usually regular visitors of the fair, had also given it a miss due to election work.

Four seniors booked for ragging Tamil Nadu MBBS student

Four seniors booked for ragging Tamil Nadu MBBS student

Incident in Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital came to light after the ‘assaulted’ junior attempted suicide

Published: 12th December 2021 05:42 AM 

By Express News Service

DHARMAPURI: Four students were booked on Saturday for allegedly ragging a second-year MBBS student, who attempted to die by suicide last week, in the Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital (DMCH) premises. According to sources, following the last week’s incident, the college administration’s Anti-Ragging Committee conducted a probe and the DMCH dean Amudhavalli registered a complaint against four third-year students.

In the complaint, the dean has mentioned that over two weeks ago, the second-year student from Rasipuram had visited the outpatient wing with throat pain. Doctors who diagnosed him found visible injuries and upon inquiry, the student reported that he was physically assaulted by four senior students. Following this, a complaint was filed with the Anti- Ragging Committee. Further, a Faculty Committee (FAC) was formed and the four were removed from the hostel. The complaint also mentioned that the student attempted to die by suicide due to psychological trauma. When contacted, the college administration refused to comment saying a police probe is underway.

Inspector D Ammadurai, the investigating officer in the case, said, “We have also received reports and evidence from the FAC. However, arrests have not been made yet. We need to receive a statement from the victim and cross-examine the witnesses. As the victim has been sent home for recovery, we will resume the investigation after he rejoins the college.”

(Assistance for those having suicidal thoughts is available on TN’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050)

Narikkuravar family row: Three TNSTC staff reinstated

Narikkuravar family row: Three TNSTC staff reinstated

A bus driver, conductor and a senior officer of Thiruvattar depot have earlier been suspended over allegedly forcing a Narikkuravar family get down a bus.

Published: 12th December 2021 05:43 AM 

By Express News Service

NAGERCOIL: Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) has revoked the order suspending three employees — a bus driver, conductor and a senior officer of Thiruvattar depot — over allegedly forcing a Narikkuravar family get down a bus.

Sources said soon after the Narikkuravar family comprising an elderly man, a woman and a child got on to the bus heading to Tirunelveli from Vadassery bus stand, the woman and the man started arguing over some issue. “The conductor forced the family to get down the bus after the irritated fellow passengers asked him to do so,” they said.

All the three employees have been asked to join duty on Sunday. A senior official of TNSTC said the corporation is giving counselling to drivers and conductors at bus stations and depots, after the incident in Colachel where a dry fish seller was forced to get down from a bus.