NEWS TODAY 25.09.2024

 

Madras univ convocation: Higher edu secy will sign certificates, says minister

Madras univ convocation: Higher edu secy will sign certificates, says minister

A RaguRaman@timesofindia.com 25.09.2024 

Chennai : In the absence of a vice-chancellor for Univesity of Madras, higher education secretary Pradeep Yadav, who is also convener of the three member syndicate committee that runs the university, will sign the degree certificates, higher education minister K Ponmudy said here on Monday. 

More than one lakh students are expected to be conferred their degrees at the 166th convocation of the university that is scheduled to be held on Tuesday. With a section of professors raising an issue over the official signing of the degree certificates, Ponmudy said the decision will not affect stu dents as it had been approved by the syndicate of the university. The convocation was delayed as the university established in 1857 has been functioning without a vice-chancellor for the last year.

Earlier, addressing the gathering after presenting the Tamil Nadu scientist awards, Ponmudy asked teachers and professors to help develop a research mindset among students. “Our state govt has allocated ₹63 crore to set up a research park at Anna University. Further, the govt is also awarding 120 research fellowships to scholars under which they would each receive ₹25,000 a month,” he said. As many as 44 professors who were selected for the Tamil Nadu scientist awards for the years from 2018 to 2021 received their awards. 

The minister said the department will take steps to announce scientist awards for 2022 and 2023 soon. Pradeep Yadav, directorate of technical education (DOTE) commissioner T Abraham, Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology member secretary S Vincent and others participated in the event.

Employee transferred on request can’t claim seniority over new circle cadre: HC

Employee transferred on request can’t claim seniority over new circle cadre: HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  24.09.2024 

Bengaluru : An employee transferred on his request to another circle and who has given consent and an undertaking for giving up the seniority in the circle where he is transferred, cannot march over the seniority positions in the transferred circle cadre, the high court ruled recently. A division bench made this observation while allowing a writ appeal filed by state-owned Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) and two other electricity distribution companies. The case pertains to five employees, three from Udupi circle and one each from Mandya and Hassan circles, who were transferred to Tumakuru circle during 2008-09 upon their requests. They are presently serving as mechanics. 

Aspiring to get promotion to the post of junior engineer under the 10% quota reserved for inservice candidates, they claimed that the length of their services should be counted (for the purpose of promotion) from the date of their entry in service, ever since they served in the previous circle, in terms of the earlier resolution of 2020. The single bench directed KPTCL to consider the case of petitioners for promotion reckoning their seniority from the date of their joining duty. 

The KPTCL challenged the same, arguing that clauses in the Karnataka Electricity Board Employees Seniority Regulations provide for foregoing of seniority by the transferred employee when the employee himself opts for another circle. The division bench noted that if the transferred employee is given seniority in the transferred circle on the basis of his date of entry in service in the previous circle, the entire circle-wise seniority will go topsy-turvy and chaos would ensue. The seniority for the purpose of promotion in two circle cadres cannot be mixed up. The single judge proceeded on a wrong footing to view that the stipulations in the transfer policy were in contradiction to regulations. 

The petitioners  who got themselves transferred upon their own request to another circle, in light of the regulations and the cadre position, cannot claim seniority over the employees in the transferred cadre for promotion, the bench observed

CMRL’s first driverless train ready.

CMRL’s first driverless train ready.

The train will likely arrive at the Poonamallee depot by mid-October, say CMRL officials. It will be operated between Poonamallee and Porur stretch on corridor 4 of the Phase II project. The operations are likely to begin next year

Sunitha Sekar CHENNAI 23.09.2024

Chennai Metro Rail’s first driverless train has been manufactured and it is likely to be transported from Sri City to the Poonamallee depot by mid-October.

For the ₹63,246-crore Phase II project, Chennai Metro Rail’s objective is to have driverless trains, unlike the Phase I project, which has a train operator on board.

The contract for this work was given at a cost of ₹1,125.92 crore.

Seven months ago, the manufacturing of the first train got under way at Sri City, with the delivery target set for the end of August. However, the date to deliver the train was put off.

According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL), though the manufacturing has been finished, there will be a testing process called ‘static testing’, which will be done at Sri City, and thetrainis likely to be brought to the depot only by the middle of October.

Sources said that the manufacturing process encountered a delay as it took time to procure a few components for thetrain.

The driverless train will be operated on the Poonamallee-Porur stretch, a part of corridor 4 of the Phase II project. The operations are likely to begin next year.

‘Minor setback’

“We don’t anticipate any more delays, and the train should arrive next month; we will subsequently start the testing process. This setback will not affect the Phase II work as we will complete the inspection and testing process within five months. The viaduct work between Poonamallee and Porur will be completed only by that time. Once it is ready, the trials will begin along the viaduct between Poonamallee and Porur,” an official said.

Since the coaches will arrive separately, they will be first linked, and then, the systems such as passenger information, pantograph, brakes, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and train control management system will be checked.

“Initially, we will test the train at 10 kmph, and then, increase the speed to the maximum of 90 kmph,” a source said.

With nod for 60 more medical colleges, total no. rises to 766

With nod for 60 more medical colleges, total no. rises to 766

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 23.09.2024

New Delhi : The Centre has approved 60 new medical colleges across the country. With this, the number of medical colleges has increased from 706 in 2023-24 to 766 so far in 2024-25. In the past decade, there has been a 98% increase in the number of medical colleges — from 387 in 2013-14 to 766 (govt: 423, private: 343) in 2024-25, according to health ministry. “The number of MBBS seats in India has increased 6%, from 1,08,940 in 2023-24 to 1,15,812 in 2024-25,” said a senior official.

She added that there has been a 6% increase in PG medical seats, from 69,024 in 2023-24 to 73,111 in 2024-25. “During the last 10 years, the number of PG seats increased by 39,460 (i.e., 127%) from 2013-14 (31,185 seats) to 2024-25 (73,111 seats),” the official said.

NEWS TODAY 23.09.2024

 

Expanding Air India ’s punctuality woes leave passengers frustrated

Expanding Air India ’s punctuality woes leave passengers frustrated 

Delay In Int’l Flights Testing Patience Of Loyal Customers 

New Delhi : “Set your watches boys, we are right on schedule.” A beaming J R D Tata had remarked when Air India’s (AI) maiden international flight, which left Bombay on June 8, 1948, for London via Cairo and Geneva, reached its destination the next day. That’s folklore for AI passengers now, especially those taking its USP medium to ultra long hauls, due to frequent long delays. While nobody expected miracles within two-and-ahalf years of the airline returning to founder Tata Group in Jan 2022 after nearly seven decades as a PSU, AI’s poor on time performance (OTP) is now irking and inconveniencing passengers who prefer not to look at their watches on delayed flights. 

Vistara, which was more punctual, will be merged into AI on Nov 12. Sample this: On Aug 31, 2024, Mumbai-London AI 129 left nearly nine hours after its scheduled departure time of 5.15am. The same day, Mumbai-New York (JFK) left after a 12-hour delay. AI 129, flight tracking sites show, left after 2pm on Aug 28, 29 and 30. And on Aug 23 and 24, it left after 8am. The list of delays is an endless one. A flight operating within 15 minutes of its scheduled departure/arrival time is considered on time. AI’s domestic punctuality is also in the pits. Only struggling-to-survive SpiceJet and Alliance Air have seen worse OTP than it in recent months, as per DGCA data (see box). But passengers have options on domestic routes. 

AI’s domestic market share in CY 2023 was 9.7%. International, howev r, is another story. AI offers the maximum medium to ultra long haul nonstops to North America, Europe, Far East and Australia. On many routes like Delhi-Chicago/San Francisco (SFO)/Washington; MumbaiNew York/SFO and Bengaluru-SFO, AI is the only direct service. For North America, AI direct flights are the fastest option as the airline overflies Russia and takes the shortest route. Delay of these flights is testing the patience of the loyal customer base of diaspora and Indian globetrotters that are so crucial for the airline. According to OAG, the top three airlines for international capacity share from India in April 2024 were Air India (20%), IndiGo (17%) and Emirates (7%). Comments were sought from AI on its international flight delays — why they are happening with such regularity and what is being about the same — and were awaited till the time of going to press. 

Recently, DGCA had to intervene after three back-to back really long delays this summer: Mumbai-SFO AI 179 of May 24 by 18 hours; Delhi-SFO of May 30 by over 30 hours and June 1 DelhiVancouver by over 20 hours. “AI is time and again failing in taking due care of passengers,” the DGCA notice at that time said. DGCA does not give OTP figures for international flights. TOI spoke to a cross section of stakeholders to find out the reason for AI’s poor performance. The common reasons — engineering and maintenance issues that are leading to poor technical dispatch reliability; frequent grounding of aircraft due to snags; spare shortage and poor crew planning. “In this backdrop, AI has bitten off more than it can chew in terms of having so many flights which it cannot operate without frequent delays or seeing cancellations. They are over-sweating the planes,” said sources. 

AI has both added a number of international flights. Multiple stakeholders spoke about a management disconnect with the ground realities and the new managers not taking the legacy team along. “They have antagonised the old key employees and keep criticising them. So many long-time employees now feel disconnected. Everything is on multiple apps and emails. If something is to be reported, do so by email. A reply may come a few days later,” said multiple people. Even AI insiders admit that these issues will not get resolved just by inducting new aircraft. AI Engineering Services Ltd (AIESL) was hived off when AI was privatised. “Systems and processes have to be in place. Our long hauls operate on the edge of the maximum carrying capacity and limit of aircraft. 

Even a small issue means leaving passengers or baggage behind; delaying or cancelling flights. Bombay House (Tata HQ) is seized of the matter; is watching the situation closely and is asking the questions that need to be asked,” they said.

Times of India ePaper lucknow - Read Today’s English News Paper Online https://epaper.indiatimes.com/timesepaper/publication-the-times-of-india,city-lucknow.cms 2/3 9/22/24, 12:50 PM Times of India ePaper lucknow - Read Today’s English News

"Vertical Reservation" & "Horizontal Reservation" Explained Based On Supreme Court Judgments

"Vertical Reservation" & "Horizontal Reservation" Explained Based On Supreme Court Judgments

Yash Mittal

25 Aug 2024 1:46 PM

There are two types of mechanisms used for providing the benefit of reservations to the reserved classes i.e., Vertical Reservation and Horizontal Reservation.

Explaining the concept of Vertical and Horizontal Reservation, the Supreme Court in Indra Sawhney's case held that when a reservation is made in favor of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and other backward classes (OBCs) under Article 16(4), it may be called as vertical reservations whereas when a reservation is made in favor of special category such woman, persons with disability, etc. under Article 16(1), then it may be called as a horizontal reservation.

In other words, the Social reservations in favor of SC, ST, and OBC under Article 16(4) are “vertical reservations”. Special reservations in favour of physically handicapped persons, women, etc. under Articles 16(1) or 15(3) are “horizontal reservations” which cut across vertically to provide reservations to certain special categories.

The Court in Indra Sawhney said that, unlike vertical reservation where out of the total seats, a certain number of seats is fixed for each category, in horizontal reservation, a certain number of seats are fixed from the total seats for a special category like women, PWD, etc. which becomes inter-transferable amongst the categories mentioned vertically.

“Suppose 3% of the vacancies are reserved in favour of physically handicapped persons (being a horizontal reservation); this would be a reservation relatable to clause (1) of Article 16. The persons selected against this quota will be placed in the appropriate category; if he belongs to SC category he will be placed in that quota by making necessary adjustments; similarly, if he belongs to open competition (OC) category, he will be placed in that category by making necessary adjustments. Even after providing for these horizontal reservations, the percentage of reservations in favour of backward class of citizens remains — and should remain — the same.”, the court explained in Indra Sawhney.

How Vertical Reservation Works?

In the case of Rajesh Kumar Daria Vs. Rajasthan Public Service Commission reported in (2007) 8 SCC 785, the Supreme Court explained the working of the vertical reservation.

The Court said that if the person belonging to the reserved category is eligible to be appointed in the open category then his number will not be counted against the quota reserved for the respective Class.

For example, if the number of SC candidates, who by their own merit, get selected to open competition vacancies, equals or even exceeds the percentage of posts reserved for SC candidates, it cannot be said that the reservation quota for SCs has been filled.

The Court clarified that the aforesaid mechanism would only work for the vertical reservation and not for the horizontal reservation.

“Where a special reservation for women (horizontal) is provided within the social reservation for Scheduled Castes, the proper procedure is first to fill up the quota for Scheduled Castes in order of merit and then find out the number of candidates among them who belong to the special reservation group of “Scheduled Caste women”. If the number of women in such list is equal to or more than the number of special reservation quota, then there is no need for further selection towards the special reservation quota. Only if there is any shortfall, the requisite number of Scheduled Caste women shall have to be taken by deleting the corresponding number of candidates from the bottom of the list relating to Scheduled Castes. To this extent, horizontal (special) reservation differs from vertical (social) reservation. Thus, women selected on merit within the vertical reservation quota will be counted against the horizontal reservation for women.”, the court clarified.

The mode of working of the vertical reservation can be understood better with an example:

Suppose there are 10 posts reserved for SC candidates, with a quota of 2 for SC women. First, 10 SC candidates must be selected based on merit from the eligible pool. If this list includes 2 SC women, no further changes are needed. However, if the list includes only 1 SC woman, an additional SC woman must be included based on merit. To accommodate this, candidates from the bottom of the list will be removed, ensuring that the final selection of 10 SC candidates includes 2 SC women.

Now, the question appears what if the list of 10 SC candidates contains more than two women candidates, selected on their own merit, will they continue in the list? The court answered that all of them would continue on the list and there was no question of deleting the excess woman candidates on the ground that “SC women” had been selected in excess of the prescribed internal quota of two.

How Horizontal Reservation Works?

As stated the main beneficiaries of the horizontal reservation are women, PWD, transgender community, veterans, etc where a certain number of seats are reserved for them out of the total seats. In horizontal reservation there's no bifurcation amongst the different classes rather the candidates selected from the special category will be placed in their class i.e. if he/she belongs to the Scheduled Category, he/she will be placed in that category by making necessary adjustments, and if he/she belongs to open category, necessary adjustments will be made in the open category.

In a recent case of Rekha Sharma Versus The Rajasthan High Court, the Court explained that Horizontal Reservation is of two types: - (i) Compartmentalised Horizontal Reservation, and (ii) Overall Horizontal Reservation.

The Compartmentalised Horizontal Reservation is such wherein the proportionate vacancies are reserved in each vertical reserved category. However, in the case of Overall Horizontal Reservation, the Reservation is provided on the total post advertised i.e. such reservation is not specific to each vertical category.

The difference between the two can be better understood by way of an illustration:

Suppose out of the 50 total seats 10 seats are to be reserved for woman candidates, if the 10 seats are bifurcated amongst the different classes such as 4 for SCs, 4 for STs, and 2 for OBCs, then such a mechanism of seat fixation is called compartmentalized horizontal reservation. Whereas, when the 10 seats that ought to be reserved for woman candidates are not specific to each vertical category, then it is called an Overall Horizontal Reservation.

In other words, in an advertisement when the vacancies in the case of women candidates were classified/identified for each category i.e. General, OBC, SC, ST, MBC then it would be called compartmentalization whereas if the vacancies are reserved for the Persons with benchmark disabilities than it would be called as an overall reservation.

The Court in Rekha Sharma's case drew reference to the case of Anil Kumar Gupta and Others vs. State of U.P. and Others reported in (1995) 5 SCC 173 and observed as follows:

“It has been observed therein (Anil Kumar Gupta) that where the seats reserved for the Horizontal Reservations are proportionately divided amongst the Vertical (Social) Reservations and are not intertransferable, it would be a case of Compartmentalised Reservations, whereas in the Overall Reservation, while allocating the special reservation candidates to their respective social reservation category, the Overall Reservation in favour of special reservation categories has to be honoured. Meaning thereby the special reservations cannot be proportionately divided among the Vertical (Social) reservation categories, and the candidates eligible for special reservation categories have to be provided overall seats reserved for them, either by adjusting them against any of the Social/Vertical reservations or otherwise, and thus they are intertransferable.”

In the recent judgment in Ramnaresh @ Rinku Kuswah v. State of Madhya Pradesh, the Court held that a meritorious reserved category candidate who is entitled to the General category of the said horizontal reservation on his own merit, will have to be allotted a seat from the said General category of the horizontal reservation. Meaning thereby such a candidate cannot be counted in a horizontal seat reserved for the category of vertical reservation like SC/ST., the court said. Placing reliance on the case of Saurav Yadav and Others v. State of Uttar Pradesh and Others, the bench comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan observed that the candidates from the reserved categories like SC/ST/OBC, if they are entitled on their own merit in the UR quota, will have to be admitted against the UR quota.

Avoid CT scan for tumour detection in kids: Expert

Avoid CT scan for tumour detection in kids: Expert 

MRI BETTER OPTION 22.09.2024 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK Lucknow : Tumours can develop in liver, brain, and other organs in children, and it is advisable to avoid CT scans for detecting such conditions, according to experts. Speaking at the 22nd Annual National Conference of the Indian Society of Pediatric Radiology, head of radio diagnosis department at the King George’s Medical University (KGMU), said that MRI and ultrasound examinations could effectively identify these diseases while minimizing radiation exposure to children. 

“A single CT scan exposes a patient to radiation equivalent to about 400 X-rays, and repeated CT scans can be detrimental to health. Alternative diagnostic methods can be employed for many diseases, allowing for accurate identification without risk,” Dr Parihar said. He recommended that CT scans in children should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. 

“When required, a direct assessment with contrast agents is preferable to minimize radiation exposure from plain CT scans. For detecting brain tumours, MRI is abetter option due to its lower radiation risk, while ultrasound can be used to identify lumps or tumours in liver,” he said. Other experts including Dr Ajay Taranath, Dr Steven Cross, Dr Karuna Shekhdar, Dr Ajay D’Souza, and Dr Prakash Masand addressed critical aspects of paediatric neuro-radiology, paediatric cardio-thoracic, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal radiology.

Changes in visa regulations leave students in limbo, many reconsider plans to study abroad

Changes in visa regulations leave students in limbo, many reconsider plans to study abroad 

Amisha.Rajani@timesofindia.com 22.09.2024 

Hyderabad : The global education landscape is facing an upheaval as key international destinations for students — namely the US, Canada, UK, and Australia — undergo shifts in visa regulations. With nearly 10 lakh Indian students venturing abroad last year, the twin Telugu states (Telangana and Andhra Pradesh) contributed a substantial number, averaging around 1.5 lakh students. While expectations for a rise in this year’s numbers were high, sudden visa rule changes have left students re-evaluating their study abroad plans. 

Although the US, a top destination, hasn’t implemented any major regulatory changes, the other three most sought-after locations — Canada, the UK, and Australia — have introduced a series of alterations, sparking concerns among students. Canada, a favoured destination for Indian students, has introduced a cap on the number of international students, setting the limit at 35%. This move has left many students, like Danish Patel from Afzalgunj, uncertain about their plans. 

“Just a few months ago, they raised the financial requirements, and now this cap. Unemployment is already high among graduates, so I’m not sure if applying there is the best choice anymore,” Patel shared. Study abroad consultancies share that the US and Canada continue to see an influx in applications. “However, the UK and Australia have seen a drop in applications, especially after the recent cap set at 2.7 lakh. The rejection rate is also very high for Australia,” said Chirandeep Patnaik from Lemma One Consulting.

 “However, these alterations encourage students to consider other emerging destinations like Germany, Singapore, Italy, and Ireland, which are becoming increasingly attractive as top education choices. While countries like Canada and the US remain leading destinations, these  changes underscore the expanding array of global opportunities for Indian students,” said Saurabh Arora, founder of University Living, a global accommodation service provider.

NEWS TODAY 22.09.2024