Report: Canada turning away more foreigners, approving fewer visas

Report: Canada turning away more foreigners, approving fewer visas 

4.9.24

Toronto : Canada is closing its doors to more visitors and temporary residents by approving fewer visas and turning away more people who reach its borders with official documents, according to govt data obtained by Reuters. 

The spike in rejections of foreign travellers comes as PM Justin Trudeau’s Liberal govt, trailing in polls ahead of an election expected next year, tries to lower the numbers of temporary residents — and possibly permanent immigrants. Migrants have been blamed for the shortage and high prices of housing. Canadians have prided themselves on embracing newcomers but polls show a growing number say Canada is admitting too many immigrants. That stance is filtering down to border and immigration officers, observers say. 

In July, Canada refused entry to 5,853 foreign travellers, who were “allowed to leave”, as Canada pu ts it, and who include students, workers and tourists, the most since at least Jan 2019, according to border agency data. Border officers turned away 3,727 foreign travellers per month on average through the first seven months of 2024, an increase of 633 people or 20% from a year earlier. Separately, officers deemed 285 visa-holders inadmissible in July, also the most in any month since at least Jan 2019, the data showed. 

A Canada Border Services Agency spokesperson said changes in findings of inadmissibility can be caused by migration patterns or policy changes and are decided case by case. CBSA did not identify any specific policy changes. At the same time, Canada’s immigration department is approving fewer visas. The ratio of refused visitor visa applications to approved ones was higher in June than at any point since the height of the pandemic. 

In Jan, Feb, May and June 2024, more applications were refused than approved, as per the immigration department data. The number of approved study and work permits also dropped from multi-year highs in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Immigration minister Marc Miller’s spokesperson said that the department was “committed to a fair and nondiscriminatory application of policy and procedures” and attbuted the drop in study-permit approvals to a cap announced in Jan. The decline appears to have begun last year, however. REUTERS

Freight trains halted to save injured croc

Freight trains halted to save injured croc 

Tushar.Tere@timesofindia.com 4.9.24

Vadodara : A crocodile brought trains on the western dedicated freight corridor to a halt for ninety minutes on Tuesday. Goods trains on this line were stopped after an injured crocodile was spotted on the tracks in Karjan. “We got a call at about 8.30am on Tuesday that an eight-foot crocodile had been seen on the tracks. We immediately left for the spot, which was about 35km away. It took us 90 minutes to get there because of traffic,” said Neha Patel, an animal welfare activist. “Railway authorities didn’t let any train run on the track for over 90 minutes. It was a noble gesture by them,” Patel told TOI. Patel and the forest department personnel reached the spot and found that the crocodile was severely injured but alive. “We rushed it to Vadoda ra for treatment. It took us some time as we had to carry it to our vehicle,” she said. The round forest officer in Karjan, Kunvarsinh Bodana, said, “We appreciate the railway authorities for stopping traffic to save the crocodile, which seems to have been hit by a train. Its jaw is injured, and it is being treated in Vadodara.”

Man tries to fly to Canada on fake visa twice

Man tries to fly to Canada on fake visa twice 

REPEAT OFFENDER Was First Nabbed In Mumbai In 2019; Tried Flying Again From Delhi In Aug 

Ashish.Chauhan @timesofindia.com 

Ahmedabad : In a brazen display of defiance of the law, a 24-year-old man from the city unsuccessfully attempted to fly to Canada from Delhi on the same counterfeit visitor’s visa for which he was charged with forgery in 2019 after his first failed attempt to fly from Mumbai. 

REPEAT

According to sources in the bureau of immigration, a man identified as Krupesh Patel from the Ranip area of the city was apprehended at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in Delhi on Aug 22 on charges of forgery and cheating. “Patel had approached the immigration authorities seeking departure clearance. He intended to board flight AI 187 and presented a Canadian vi sa with the number E731696672 to support his request.

During the scrutiny of Patel’s travel documents, the authenticity of the Canadian visa was called into question,” according to the FIR lodged with the IGI airport police in Delhi. The FIR further elaborates, “The matter was brought to the attention of the Canadian official due to the suspicious nature of the visa. Subsequently, the ALO confirmed via email that the visa in Patel’s possession was counterfeit.” Sources within the IGI police in Delhi revealed that Patel had previously be en denied boarding on April 10, 2019, from a Canada-bound flight at Mumbai airport, and a case of forgery had been registered with the Mumbai police. 

This information has been corroborated with the bureau of immigration. “The case in Mumbai was registered when Patel attempted to depart for Canada using the same counterfeit Canadian visitor’s visa,” the FIR filed with the IGI airport

 police in Delhi states. Sources in Delhi Police disclosed that despite being released on bail and facing an ongoing trial in Mumbai, Patel had the audacity to attempt travelling on the same forged visa from the IGI airport in Delhi. Delhi law enforcement authorities are currently trying to trace the visa agent who provided Patel with the counterfeit visa. The IGI airport authorities have charged Patel under the provisions of cheating, forgery and presenting forged documents as genuine under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, in addition to charges under the Passports Act.

NEWS TODAY 4.9.2024

 

150 passengers board train sans ticket as booking clerk sleeps

150 passengers board train sans ticket as booking clerk sleeps

 TIMES NEWS NETWORK  4.9.24 

Dehradun : In a bizarre incident, around 150 passengers were forced to board the weekly Ramnagar-Chandigarh superfast express train (12527) at the Ramnagar railway station in Nainital district, located adjacent to the Corbett National Park, without purchasing tickets as the ticket window clerk allegedly failed to wake up from his sleep. 

According to station superintendent Rajkumar, the incident occurred on Monday at 5 am, even as the train arrived at the station amidst the commotion. “The passengers began arriving at the railway station at 4am and queued up at the ticket window. When the window didn’t open even 30 minutes before the train’s departure, they started repeatedly knocking on the door, but the clerk, Ashvini Kumar, remained unresponsive. 

The other railway staff on duty also reached there upon hearing the commotion and knocked on the door, but it was locked from the inside,” Rajkumar said. He added, “It wasn’t until around 6 am, after the train had already left, that the clerk finally woke up. By then, the passengers had already left on the train without a ticket.” The station superintendent then informed the Izzatnagar division office of North Eastern Railways (NER) about the incident, requesting appropriate disciplinary action against the “negligent” clerk. 

Public relations officer (PRO) of North Eastern Railway’s (NER) Izzatnagar division, Rajendra Singh, said, “The accused booking clerk has been directed to report to the divisional officer and tender his explanation in the matter.” Chief PRO of NER, Sanjeev Sharma, told TOI, “The booking clerk, in his clarification, said that he was unwell, therefore, he couldn’t respond when the door was knocked.”

APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHANCELLOR

 

Screenings intensified at airports: Ma Su

Screenings intensified at airports:  Ma Su 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  4.9.24 

Trichy : With the threat of monkeypox (Mpox) virus looming, state govts have begun measures to prevent any spread of the disease. State minister for medical and family welfare Ma Subramanian on Tuesday inspected the screening mechanism at the Trichy International Airport to identify passengers with Mpox symptoms. Speaking to reporters, the minister informed that the state has not recorded any Mpox cases so far. The minister said that all international passengers on their arrival are being screened for Mpox symptoms, the minister added. He added that the King Institute of Preventive Medicine in Guindy has a facility to identify Mpox cases. Municipal administration minister K N Nehru and school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi were present during the inspection.

Vijay’s team awaits police nod for Vikravandi meet

Vijay’s team awaits police nod for Vikravandi meet 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 

Chennai : Actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is anxiously awaiting police nod to conduct the party’s first state-level conference in Vikravandi on Sept 23, and exploring legal avenues to ensure the grand event is held as scheduled. The Villupuram police rejected suggestions of any delay on its part, asserting that it was adhering to the “routine procedure” of granting permission for public meetings by seeking responses from TVK.

 Election Commission of India is yet to register TVK. Vijay submitted the application in Feb. “The response to police queries is being prepared by the legal team. It will be submitted soon. We will see the response and follow up with legal recourse,” said a party source. A set of 21 questions had been raised by the Villupuram deputy superintendent of police, S Suresh, to the party general secretary, N Anand, on Sunday. They have been given time until Friday to respond on a range of arrangements. 

TVK functionaries see the questions as quite unusual given that only weeks are left for the conduct of the grand event, which is expected to attract more than three lakh participants. The police sought to know, among other things, the schedule of the event, list of dignitaries, number of banners and welcome arches, chairs, details of participants and contractors, power supply, arrangements for parking vehicles, and security for women, children and elders. The organisers are also required to respond about arrangements for parking and sanction from landowners. 

“We follow the routine procedure of granting permission for public meetings. At the same time, all public meetings are not the same. We have sought details on some aspects. We have given them five days to reply to our queries. We will review their replies and take a call,” Villupuram superintendent of police Deepak Siwach told TOI

GST ON GRANTS: TAXING BLOW TO RESEARCH?

GST ON GRANTS: TAXING BLOW TO RESEARCH?

It’s Tax Terrorism Say Academicians And Could Derail Projects And Curtail Innovation 

Pushpa.Narayan@timesofindia.com 4.9.2024 

There’s a storm brewing in India’s academic circles, and it’s not about a new discovery or theory, but an unexpected tax on research grants. Seven Indian institutions – including the govt-run IIT Delhi, and Anna University in Chennai – recently got showcause notices from the directorate general of GST intelligence (DGGI) for unpaid taxes on research grants they received since 2017. 

While IIT Delhi faces a demand for ₹120 crore, including penalties over the past seven years, other universities have been asked to pay between ₹5 crore and ₹60 crore. “Tax terrorism” is what entrepreneur and Infosys co-founder T V Mohandas Pai called it on social media handle X, tagging GST India and PM Modi. While the DGGI says research and develop ment grants received by educational institutions are not exempt from tax, many academicians, scientists, and funding agencies disagree. They say grants, especially for educational institutions, are difficult to secure, and tax relief on these funds is a common practice in several countries. 

“GST on research grants will reduce money allocated for research. So, the govt must remove GST,” says Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, a strong advocate for education, who funds research projects in institutions such as IIT and Indian Institute of Science (IISc). Experts say research is inherently a risky endeavour. Without the burden of taxes, institutions are more likely to invest in innovative and potentially high-risk projects that could lead to significant breakthroughs. “Some large and reputable research studies go on for several years. 

The Framingham Heart Study, for instance, is a long-term, ongoing cardiovascular co hort study of residents of Massachusetts that began in 1948,” says orthopaedic surgeon Dr George Thomas, former editor of the Journal of Indian Medical Ethics. “The National Institutes of Health invested USD 14 million in the Lower Extremities Assessment Project (LEAP), a comprehensive research initiative designed to evaluate and improve outcomes in patients with severe injuries of the legs. Without large investments, breakthrough research is difficult. Taxing research grants reduces the already low investments.” Researchers also say funds for research have remained the same for years, though the scope of research has expanded. “It has not kept pace with inflation,” says scientist Ashok Jhunjhunwala, who has chaired govt committees and boards of institutions such as IIT. He says GST on research could be covered by the grantee. 

“When researchers receive grant money from the ministry, the govt should pay the GST. Researchers would welcome it because they currently pay GST on equipment or components bought with grant funds. If grants were given with GST already paid, they could offset the GST costs they currently bear,” he says. Research grants are fully itemised with amounts allocated for equipment, components, travel, salaries and overheads. “Where is the GST money supposed to come from within this? Placing a GST demand on research institutions is just harassment.” While several universities are gearing up for litigation against the demand, legal experts say Centre should reconsider this issue before it reaches the courts. 

“GST is levied on the supply of goods and services,” says advocate K Vaitheeswaran, an expert on taxes and head of the taxation committee of the Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “For example, at a shop there is a tax on sold goods. GST is on the supply of goods or services for consideration. When a university receives a research grant, there is no quid pro quo to provide any goods or services. A grant is not a consideration; it is akin to a donation.” Legal experts say there is no certainty in research outcomes, which may or may not result in saleable goods or services, and so, research grants and donations received from govt or private agencies should not be taxed based on anticipated outcomes but on monetised results. “When income tax provides an accelerated tax shield for research institutions notified under section 35(1)(ii), GST too should extend the same reasoning and logic for research grants,” they say. 

Academicians hope this issue will be discussed at the GST council meeting on Sept 9, chaired by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman. “Research grants to universities must be considered a subsidy as funds are used solely for delivering public good without any profit motive, making it a quasi-government endeavour by the university,” says an academician. Pai recommends setting up an expert committee within GST India like the one at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. “Questions should be referred to this committee, position paper prepared, put out for public comments and after that issued as the official view,” says the public policy advocate. “This will ensure uniform policy throughout the industry and eliminate arbitrary action by GST officers which harm the country and business as well as reduce tax terrorism. Officials must  raise contestable questions and debate it out before they issue such notices. Tax on research grants given to universities can have a chilling effect on research outputs. I hope it’s axed.”

Docs sought for Saudi ministry 04.09.2024

Docs sought for Saudi ministry 04.09.2024 

Chennai : The Tamil Nadu govt has announced job opportunities for allopathy doctors to work for the Saudi Arabian govt. Doctors with postgraduate qualifications under 55 years of age and with at least 3 years experience can apply for medical positions. Interviews for these positions will be conducted in Hyderabad. Selected candidates will be provided with food, ac commodation and air tickets by the employer in Saudi Arabia. 

Candidates can visit the official website of Overseas Manpower Corporation Ltd. (OMCL) at www.omcmanpower.tn.gov.in, a release said. For further details on salary and job descriptions, contact 9566239685 or 044-22505886. The govt has said there are no intermediaries or agents associated with the employment agency.

Woman leases out rented house, sets dog on owner

Woman leases out rented house, sets dog on owner 

Selvaraj.A@timesofindia.com 4.9.2024 

Chennai : A woman who had leased out her rented house without the knowledge of the owner set her pet dog upon him when he came to question her. Virugambakkam police have registered cases against Loganayaki, 36, on a complaint from Palani, 51, who owns a house in Alwarthiru Nagar near Virugambakkam. 

The woman alleged that the house owner had abused and assaulted her daughter. Police said the two had an ongoing dispute after the woman leased out a portion of the house owner’s property when he was away in Bengaluru. Loganayaki had separated from her husband and was living with her daughter. Palani told police that when he returned after spen ding six months with his son in Bengaluru, he found that Loganayaki had leased out his house to another individual. She also took ₹6 lakh from the lessee. 

After realising this, Palani questioned the woman whem she and her brother threatened and assaulted him. Based on Palani’s complaint, Virugambakkam police registered a case against Loganayaki and her brother. On Monday evening, when Palani visited his house again, the woman set her pet dog on him, which allegedly bit the man. The injured Palani admitted himself to a private hospital for treatment. Based on a complaint, Virugambakkam police registered another case against Loganayaki and sought to determine if she had a valid licence for her pet. Further investigations are on

Foreign medical grad wing seeks lower fee for eligibility certificates

Foreign medical grad wing seeks lower fee for eligibility certificates 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  04.09.2024 .

Chennai : The foreign graduates wing of the Tamil Nadu Medical Students Association’s foreign graduates wing has urged govt to bring down the fee collected by the state medical university for eligibility certificate – mandatory for participation in counselling for allotment to PG degree and diploma programmes.

Candidates other than those with MBBS/PG diplomas from Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University must apply for an eligibility certificate for verification of degree, completion of internship, medical registration number, proof of documents such as date of birth, community certificate, and school certificates. Those who have completed undergraduate degrees in an Indian university – central institutions such as AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences), deemed universities, private universities or state-run universities – must pay ₹1,888 (including 18% GST); NRIs must pay ₹36,580. Indians with UG degrees from foreign varsities must pay ₹30,658. “This differential fee is unfair,” said Dr Senthil Kumar, who heads the students’ wing.

“Those who study abroad are mandated to clear FMGE screening licentiate exam and complete 1-yr internship before begining practice. To clear it, they must obtain an NOC from state medical university and pay₹33,500. They can apply for internship only after this. They are asked to pay a similar fee to verify the same documents while applying for PG admissions by the same university.” And, eligibility certificate is valid only for a year. “A student who doesn’t get a seat this year has to pay ₹30,658 to be eligible to apply next year.” The association has written to health secretary Supriya Sahu urging her to consider waivers for “eligibility certificates.” University officials said the certificate was introduced to weed out illegal and fake documents. 

PG med admission for 2024-25 begins 

Chennai : The state selection committee has initiated the admission process for PG degree and diploma courses in medicine and dentistry for the 2024-25 academic year. From Tuesday, applications were available on www.tnhealth.tn.gov.in and www.tnmedicalselection.net. The state surrenders 50% of seats in govt colleges to the all India quota. The committee will conduct counselling for admission to govt quota seats in state-run medical colleges. All seats in self-financing medical colleges affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr M G R Medical University can be accessed. The deadline for submitting filled-in applications is 5 pm on Sept 15. The committee said it will declare the dates for the release of the rank list, counselling, and the date for the commencement of courses later.

NEWS TODAY 3.9.2024

 

Sidda’s office spends ₹54L/mth on social media, reveals RTI reply

Sidda’s office spends ₹54L/mth on social media, reveals RTI reply

Sandeep.Moudgal@timesofindia.com 

Bengaluru : Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah’s office spends nearly Rs 54 lakh per month to maintain his social media accounts, both official and personal, according to an RTI reply. RTI activist Marlinga Gowda Mali Patil said he had filed his plea after he heard the costs were “hefty” at a time “development work had come to a standstill” due to alleged lack of funds and the Congress govt struggled to pay contractors for work in various departments. CMO officials confirmed Siddaramaiah’s social media expenditure while pointing out that the sum was far less than the over Rs 2 crore per month previous CMs had spent on this head. According to the reply to Patil from Karnataka State Marketing Communication and Advertising Ltd (MCA) — a wholly owned govt entity — the CMO spent close to Rs 3 crore from Oct 25 last year to March 2024. 

The details showed the CMO paid around Rs 53.9 lakh every month, including 18% GST. The payments were made to The Policy Front, a company which handles Siddaramaiah’s accounts with a dedicated team of around 35.

‘Bomb’ note in flight loo forces emergency landing at Maha

‘Bomb’ note in flight loo forces emergency landing at Maha 

Nagpur : A hand-written note with the words ‘Blast at 9am’ scribbled on a piece of toilet paper and stuck on the commode seat led to a bomb scare on an Indigo Airlines Jabalpur to Hyderabad flight, leading to an emergency landing at Nagpur airport Sunday. As the plane landed at 9.20am, the entire security mechanism swung into action only to find it was a hoax, reports Shishir Arya. Five people had used the toilet before the airhostess found the note. All are being questioned. 

The note was written with a gel pen, which was not found on any of those onboard, sources said. The Bomb Disposal and Detection Squad of Nagpur police did not find any explosive in the aircraft. The plane was stranded for nearly five hours, and finally took off again after 3pm. The aircraft had 69 passengers and four crew members, a source said. 

CAUSING TURBULENCE IN AIR

Let the young lead, let the old guide Let the young lead, let the old guide

Let the young lead, let the old guide  Let the young lead, let the old guide 

STORYBOARD ARUN RAM 2.9.24 

What happens when a 73-year-old makes fun of an 86-year-old over his age? Mostly laughter, but when actor Rajinikanth took a swipe at Tamil Nadu water resources minister Duraimurugan, it triggered a spat. Speaking as the chief guest at the release of the book ‘Kalaignar Ennum Thaai’ by Tamil Nadu PWD minister E V Velu, Rajini likened Stalin to a class teacher handling old students who refuse to leave the class even after getting high ranks. What could’ve ended as a playful jibe turned serious when the actor took Duraimurugan’s name. Prodded by reporters later, Duraimurugan hit back, saying some old actors with falling teeth are refusing to leave the profession, denying youngsters better opportunities. 

The two have since patched up saying they are good friends, but what Rajini said about super seniors refusing to make way for the next generation is a topic of an old debate that remains young in not just politics and movies. So, should old people move out to give space to the young?

 Well, yes and no. Seniors should indeed let younger people rise to leadership roles, but it isn’t necessary that the older ones stop working. Spain and Italy have retirement ages fixed at 66 and 67. In the US, the number of 65-plus workers doubled between 1988 and 2023. India has one of the lowest retirement ages in the world. Here, govt employees retire between the age of 56 (for the old pension scheme) and 60 (for the new pension scheme). It isn’t very different in the private sector, though ‘critical resources’ remain at work as consultants for long (a policy that the govt, too, has of high courts demit office at 62, and Supreme Court judges at 65. 

In the US, it’s the other way around: Judges of the appellate courts in 32 states (and the district of Columbia) retire at 70, but trial courts have a much higher retirement age; some of them have none. 

Cameroon president Paul Biya at 91 isn’t the best example of geriatric excellence, but at least 10 heads of state in the world are in their late 80s, probably the youngest among them being 83-year-old Italian president Sergio Mattarella. Being young or old hasn’t proved to be an asset in Indian politics. The oldest person to be elected President of India was K R Narayanan at 77; Droupadi Murmu was the youngest to be elected President in 2022 when she was 64. Morarji Desai, who became Prime Minister at 81, was not the best for the job; neither was Rajiv Gandhi, who was 40 when he took over after Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984. 

We need to get used to the idea of youngsters with new ideas leading seniors with experience. Elders can remain advisors without veto powers (there will be exceptions such as Warren Buffett, who remains the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at 94). In Indian politics, the older one gets the more difficult it becomes to remove the veteran from positions of power. In movies, if an older actor such as Rajini still keeps the box office ringing – and fans cheering – why not let the septuagenarian knight in shining armour rescue the damsel in distress? 

And when a younger hero emerges, let the market decide the fate of the older. History shows how those who play age-suitable roles don’t just age gracefully but also shine in the twilight. What we need in all fields is a judicious mix of experience and enterprise, erudition and energy, young and old. As the 2015 Hollywood movie ‘The Intern’ (Robert De Niro plays the 70-year-old protagonist) drives home, experience never gets old. But senility does._ arun.ram @timesofindia.com

Ayurvedic practitioner poses as doc, arrested

Ayurvedic practitioner poses as doc, arrested 

Chennai : Police on Sunday arrested an ayurvedic practitioner who posed as an MBBS doctor and prescribed allopathic medicines to patients. Health department officials received a tip-off about an illegal clinic in Krishna Nagar 1st street, Ponniammanmedu, after which a team checked the ‘doctor’s’ credentials and found them to be fake. Police said the accused, Manimaran, was a Class VIII dropout. 

He was trained in ayurveda but prescribed allopathic medicines, posing as an MBBS doctor. Health department officials sealed the clinic and filed a complaint with Madhavaram police station three days ago. Learning that police were onto him, Manimaran hid at a friend’s house in Poonamallee, from where he was arrested on Sunday. He was produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody.tnn

Brief spells of rain hit city BRACE FOR MORE RAIN

Brief spells of rain hit city  BRACE FOR MORE RAIN 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  02.09.2024 

Chennai : After a hot and dry Aug, parts of the city and suburbs, including OMR, ECR, Tambaram, Nanmangalam, and Chengalpet, experienced brief rain spells on Sunday. As the city enters Sept, more rain is expected, according to Regional Meteorological Centre. Rainfall on Sunday included 6.1mm at Pallikaranai (NIOT), 6mm at Sairam Institution in Chengalpet, and 4mm at Sathyabama University in Kanchipuram. Strong surface winds of 30 kmph-40 kmph were also observed. Regional Meteorological Centre predicts that over the next 48 hours, Chennai will have partly cloudy skies with light to moderate rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in some areas. 

The maximum temperature is expected to range between 35°C and 36°C, with the minimum likely 27°C to 28°C. On Sunday, Nungambakkam recorded a maximum temperature of 35°C. For the upcoming week, light to moderate rain is forecast at isolated locations across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. This pattern is expected to continue from Sept 1 through 7, with the first two days of the month likely to see thunderstorms and lightning in isolated areas, said N Senthamarai Kannan, director of the regional weather forecasting centre at IMD. 

Rain activity in Chennai remained below average for Aug, with the Nungambakkam observatory recording only 7cm of rainfall, compared to the average of 13cm. However, since June 1, Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam observatories have recorded 48cm and 57cm of rainfall, respectively, which is 18cm and 25cm above normal.

College dropouts fuel student narcotics network

College dropouts fuel student narcotics network 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai : College dropouts have been key players in drawing younger students into narcotics use and trade near SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) in Tambaram, say investigators after Saturday’s drug bust. These dropouts targeted students, luring them with cheaper prices for ganja and connecting them to peddlers in states such as Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Students would bring ganja back by train whenever they returned from their hometowns, discreetly distributing small quantities among peers. 

An investigating officer from Tambaram police said the influence of these dropouts normalised drug use among students. Police found hookah pipes and related equipment in 90% of the flats raided on Satuday. Acting on a tip-off, Tambaram city police commissioner Abhin Dinesh Modak ordered the raid on flats predominantly occupied by students. More than 1,000 police per sonnel conducted searches across 500 flats, seizing ganja and other narcotic substances. 

The operation led to the registration of 20 cases and the arrest of 21 individuals, including 11 students from SRMIST and Selvamani, a 29-year-old history-sheeter. Of the 21 arrested, 11 students were released on bail, while the others, including Selvamani, were remanded in judicial custody. Police have urged college authorities to monitor student activities closely and report any suspicious behaviour. They stressed the need for stricter oversight to protect vulnerable students from addiction and criminal influences.

New MBBS curriculum fails to protect rights of disabled, LGBTQ+, says activists

New MBBS curriculum fails to protect rights of disabled, LGBTQ+, says activists

The revised MBBS curriculum proposed by the National Medical Council (NMC) has sparked controversy.

Kavita Bajeli-Datt

Updated on:01 Sep 2024, 11:06 p

NEW DELHI: The MBBS students in the 2024 course will be taught that sodomy and lesbianism are unnatural sexual offences and transvestism is a sexual perversion along with fetishism, voyeurism, sadism, necrophagia, masochism, exhibitionism, frotteurism and necrophilia.

The revised MBBS curriculum proposed by the National Medical Council (NMC) has sparked controversy, with activists arguing that it does not adequately safeguard the rights of individuals with disabilities and those who identify as LGBTQ.

Dr Satendra Singh, a prominent disability activist, has expressed his dismay with the revised guidelines, arguing that they have regressed the progress made in recent years towards the inclusion of people with disabilities and LGBTQ rights.

Speaking with this paper, Dr Singh, who is also a Director Professor of the Department of Physiology, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, said, “The MBBS curriculum for 2024 is a significant letdown in social responsibility."

"With great difficulty and judicial advocacy, we succeeded in including disability and LGBTQ rights in the new competency-based medical education curriculum.”

However, the current revision has undone all of our hard work and the statutory provisions of disability and transgender legislation, he said, adding that the NMC has violated the Transgender Persons Protection Act 2019.

“The future Indian medical graduate must be socially accountable, not someone trained in outdated and archaic concepts,” Dr Singh said and highlighted the absence of healthcare professionals from the LGBTQIA+ community in the NMC committee addressing queer issues.

He also added that the NMC has suddenly removed the seven hours of disability competencies from the foundation course, which was heralded as best practice globally. This violates Section 39 (2)(f) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 mandating the inclusion of the rights of disabled in the curriculum of universities, colleges and schools.

The NMC took note of LGBTQ rights only after reprimands from the Madras and Kerala high courts. Following the rap, NMC issued directives to all medical universities to refrain from endorsing materials containing unscientific, derogatory, or discriminatory content regarding the LGBTQ community.

However, activists said, the updated guidelines have failed to incorporate earlier suggestions to ensure the curriculum is inclusive and supports LGBTQ individuals.

Dr Singh has now submitted requests for information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, highlighting the need for transparency in the discussions and decision-making process behind the new guidelines.

Despite submitting multiple recommendations to the NMC to incorporate best practices, the latest revisions could be much better, argued activists.

Dr Prof (Dr) Aqsa Shaikh, Professor of Community Medicine, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, said, “NMC had itself issued the new curriculum for forensic medicine and weeded out queerphobic content from the medical curriculum after being directed by Madras High Court.”

“But in the latest edition of its guidelines, it still seems to be frozen in time in pre- 377 abrogation era and calling sexual acts like anal sex, oral sex as unnatural sexual offences, and adultery as crime and transvestism as a sexual fetish,” Dr Shaikh, who identified herself as a transgender woman, told this paper.

“This is ridiculous and the only way to undo harm is for NMC to issue an urgent corrigendum to correct this blunder. This is highly insulting to the marginalised LGBTQIA+ Indian community and contempt of court,” she said.

What’s needed is a collaborative review of the curriculum to weed out all the queerphobic content and make the curriculum more inclusive for queer people so that future medicos are competent to care for the health of LGBTQIA+ patients, she said.

“The 470-page document defeats the purpose and adds insult to the injury done by the queerphobic medical education system and healthcare system,” Dr Shaikh added.

NMC CBME Guidelines 2024: Clinical training will follow the learner-doctor method throughout all phases.

NMC CBME Guidelines 2024: Clinical training will follow the learner-doctor method throughout all phases.

NDTV  2.9.24

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) Curriculum Guidelines 2024. These guidelines mark a significant update to the Graduate Medical Education Regulations (GMER), initially introduced in 1997 and revised in 2023.

The new guidelines aim to enhance medical education by incorporating feedback from five years of CBME implementation. They focus on making education more learner-centric, patient-oriented, and aligned with global standards. The curriculum emphasizes integrating subjects both horizontally and vertically, shifting from broad competencies to specific end-of-phase subject competencies.

Key features of the updated guidelines include:

Ethical and Communication Skills: The introduction of a dedicated longitudinal program, 'AETCOM' (Attitude, Ethics, and Communication), aims to enhance ethical values, responsiveness to patient needs, and communication skills.

Holistic Education: The curriculum seeks to produce graduates proficient in preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative care, addressing emerging healthcare issues and adapting to advancements in science and technology.

National and Institutional Goals: The guidelines outline national goals for Indian Medical Graduates (IMGs), including fulfilling social obligations, understanding health policies, and developing a scientific temper. Institutional goals focus on creating competent professionals capable of managing various health problems and working effectively in healthcare teams.

The revised curriculum also addresses:

Competency-Based Training: Graduates are expected to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of human health, ethical principles, and national health policies. They must be skilled in patient history taking, physical examination, and clinical problem-solving.

Leadership and Teamwork: Emphasis is placed on working effectively within healthcare teams and leading efforts to improve healthcare delivery and patient safety.

Communication: The curriculum underscores the importance of clear, compassionate communication with patients, families, and colleagues.

Eligibility Criteria for Professional Examinations

To qualify for professional examinations, students must meet the following requirements:

Attendance:Theory: A minimum of 75% attendance is required in theory classes.

Practical/Clinical: At least 80% attendance is necessary in practical and clinical sessions.

For subjects taught across multiple phases, students must achieve 75% attendance in theory and 80% in practicals for each phase.

AETCOM: Students must maintain 75% attendance in AETCOM and 80% attendance in family visits as part of the Family Adoption Program, with each student required to adopt at least three, preferably five, families.

In cases where an exam covers multiple subjects (e.g., General Surgery and its allied branches), a minimum of 75% attendance is required for each subject and its related branches, with 80% attendance needed for each clinical posting.

Students lacking at least 75% attendance in electives will not be eligible for the Third Professional - Part II examination or NExT.

Internal Assessment (IA):

Internal assessment is based on daily performance, including assignments, seminar preparation, clinical case presentations, problem-solving exercises, and community health projects.

Format: Both subjective and objective evaluations are included. IA scores are reported separately from summative assessments and are listed in a distinct column on the marks card.

Marks Distribution:

General Medicine: IA is divided across phases: Phase II (50 marks), Phase III Part I (50 marks), and Phase III Part II (100 marks) with subdivisions in Medicine (75 marks), Psychiatry (13 marks), and Dermatology (12 marks).

General Surgery: IA is divided into Phase II (25 marks), Phase III Part I (25 marks), and Phase III Part II (150 marks) with subdivisions in General Surgery (75 marks), Orthopedics (50 marks), Anesthesia (13 marks), and Radiodiagnosis (12 marks).

Forensic Medicine and Toxicology: IA consists of 25 marks in Phase II and 75 marks in Phase III Part I, totaling 100 marks for theory and practical.

Community Medicine: IA is distributed as 25 marks in Phase I, 25 marks in Phase II, and 50 marks in Phase III Part I, totaling 100 marks for theory and practical.

Ophthalmology and ENT: IA is divided into 25 marks in Phase II and 75 marks in Phase III Part I, totaling 100 marks for theory and practical for each subject.

Passing Criteria:

Overall: Candidates must achieve a cumulative score of 50% in university-conducted exams, including both theory and practicals.

Separate Sections: A minimum of 40% must be obtained in both theory and practical sections individually. For subjects with two papers, students must secure at least 40% in aggregate across both papers.

NMC withdraws nod for private med college, TN loses 100 seats

NMC withdraws nod for private med college, TN loses 100 seats

The selection committee of the Directorate of Medical Education is attempting to find ways to accommodate them in other colleges.

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The last-minute notice by the National Medical Commission (NMC) about the withdrawal of permission to 100 MBBS seats in the new Kanniyakumari Madras Medical Mission Research Centre has put the state government in a fix. Under the 7.5% reservation category, five government school students have already taken up admission in said college. The selection committee of the Directorate of Medical Education is attempting to find ways to accommodate them in other colleges.

The NMC withdrew the permission following a writ petition filed before the New Delhi High Court against the college and its trust, alleging that the land on which the building is constructed is disputed. Further, it put on hold, the letter of permission to the college dated July 4.

The NMC told the selection committee to ensure that students are not admitted to the college during the ongoing counselling until further communication. The 100 seats in the college comprise 60 government quota seats, 30 management and five under the 7.5% quota.

The selection committee said that since the counselling is being conducted online, students in the general category will be offered seats in other colleges. As per the committee’s revised seat matrix, there are 6,630 MBBS government seats and 1,683 BDS seats in the state. Under the 7.5% quota, 496 MBBS seats and 126 BDS seats are available.

Thesis approval not a must for postgraduate medical students to sit in exams, says NMC

Thesis approval not a must for postgraduate medical students to sit in exams, says NMC  

The move is aimed at curbing mental health issues and alleged harassment, besides easing work pressure

Priyanka Sharma

Published30 Aug 2024, 06:11 PM IST

The May survey of 5,337 postgraduate students revealed that around 51.8% of respondents faced challenges regarding their thesis-related work, while 11.6% experienced exploitation.(Mint)

New Delhi: India’s top medical education regulator has said that the approval and acceptance of thesis is not mandatory for students to appear in the final postgraduate examination—a move aimed at curbing mental health issues and ease work pressure.

Students will submit their thesis to the university through the head of department (HoD) and dean of the medical college, according to a letter Dr Vijay Oza, president of the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB), wrote to medical colleges.

“The student cannot be prevented from appearing in the examination if he has not obtained approval of thesis from HoD,” said the letter reviewed by Mint.

The regulator’s directions are aimed at addressing concerns about mental health and alleged harassment of postgraduate medical students by HoDs. There have been incidents of students dying by suicide in Dehradun, Patiala and Bhopal. The NMC’s bid to ease pressure on students also comes in the backdrop of the ongoing agitation by the medical education community over the rape and murder of a young female doctor in Kolkata.

The PGMEB reminded medical colleges about the requirement to complete the final postgraduation examination by 31 December.

In a meeting with representatives from various health universities in July, the regulator was apprised of concerns about the dissertation and thesis being a prerequisite for appearing in the final examination for the postgraduation batch of 2021.

The regulator had clarified that, according to the provisions of Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMER), 2023, all specialty and super-specialty students will conduct and write a thesis based on research.

“The thesis now accounts for 5% of the total marks in the clinical/practical and viva voce components, meaning 20 marks out of the total marks allocated for these components are reserved for the thesis,” Dr Oza wrote in the latest letter.

Earlier, there were no marks for thesis, but approval by the HoD or dean was a prerequisite to appear in the final examination. A student whose thesis was not approved couldn’t take the examination.

“External examiner outside the state will evaluate the thesis and take viva voce on it and marks will be given on quality of thesis and performance on its viva voce,” the letter said, adding that this change in the guidelines will help with the quality of thesis-related research work.

Mental health worries

Mint earlier reported about 15.3% of the postgraduate medical students suffer from mental health disorders, with 31.2% found to have considered suicide, according to a survey conducted by the NMC.

The May survey of 5,337 postgraduate students revealed that around 51.8% of respondents faced challenges regarding their thesis-related work, while 11.6% experienced exploitation.

About 8.2% students reported delays in thesis submission by their guides, which can contribute to increased stress and potentially impact their academic progress; 7.5% encountered requests for data manipulation, suggesting ethical concerns within certain thesis supervisory relationships.

The most common request was for better faculty guidance with 36.5% asking for it, followed by the desire to remove thesis altogether (23.4%). About 20.8% students desired extra time to complete their thesis and 12.7% sought financial support.