NEWS TODAY 26.11.2024

 

HC upholds decision cancelling registrar’s appointment in univ

HC upholds decision cancelling registrar’s appointment in univ 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  BHOPAL 
26.11.2024 

Bhopal : A division bench of the MP high court upheld the decision of the executive council of Harisingh Gaur Central University, Sagar, to cancel the appointment of Dr Ratan Kumar Pradhan as registrar of the university over inadequate academic experience required for the post. This decision set aside the order of the single-judge bench, which quashed the executive council's order. 

The vicechancellor of the university had appealed against the single bench order. Hearing the appeal, the bench of Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf stated that the grounds on which Dr Pradhan's appointment was cancelled were genuine. This was because he did not have the adequate academic experience required for the post as advertised. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, in his appeal against the single bench order, mentioned that Dr Ranjan Kumar Pradhan applied online for the post of registrar on March 15, 2022. The executive council of the university, on the recommendation of the selection committee, issued an order for his appointment on Dec 29, 2022. 

After his selection, he quit his post at DRT Guwahati and applied for VRS from Niti Ayog. However, he could not join as registrar by the last date of joining. Meanwhile, based on information received from Niti Ayog and DRT Guwahati, a show cause notice was issued to Dr Pradhan, stating that he did not have the requisite qualifications for the post of registrar. Dr Pradhan had moved the HC against the order

Sidhu issues clarification on cancer diet plan claim

Sidhu issues  clarification on cancer diet plan claim 

Chandigarh : 26.11.2024

After oncologists questioned his claim that astrict diet helped his wife defeat stage 4 cancer, Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu Monday clarified that the diet plan was implemented in consultation with doctors and should be considered "facilitation in the treatment". 

During a press conference on Nov 21, Sidhu stated that his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu had been declared cancer-free, emphasizing the role of dietary and lifestyle changes in her recovery. However, oncologists at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai warned that cancer patients should not delay or stop their treatment by following unproven remedies. In a video message posted on X Monday, Sidhu said, “I want to say that a doctor is like God to me, and doctors have always been my priority. I have a doctor (Navjot Kaur Sidhu) at home. Whatever we have done was done with the consultation of doctors in a collaborative process.” He also shared the diet plan and wrote, “My wife’s cancer journey involved surgeries, chemotherapy, hormonal and targeted therapy, positivity and determination to fight cancer which was facilitated by a strict diet plan...

Doctors to admit all fever cases in protest against official’s remarks

Doctors to admit all fever cases in protest against official’s remarks 

TIMES OF INDIA 26.11.2024

Chennai : Tamil Nadu state doctors association announced plans to admit all one-day fever cases in protest against a senior official’s directive, which it called humiliating. The official warned doctors that they would be held accountable if fever patients died and insisted all fever cases be admitted. 

Association president Dr K Senthil said, “We get 10,000 fever cases daily in govt hospitals. Admitting all is impractical.” Dr Senthil said most patients recover with rest and medicines within days, and admitting them risks exposing them to immunecompromised conditions in hospitals. Diagnosing diseases such as dengue or typhoid on day one is challenging, and admissions are typically made only if conditions worsen, he added. The association decided to tell patients to get admitted on day one of fever. “At least 95% of case sheets will say patients are unwilling, absconding or discharged against medical advice,” he said. TNN

PG medical admissions: 44 doctors submit fake certs to avail NRI quota

PG medical admissions: 44 doctors submit fake certs to avail NRI quota

PushpaNarayan@timesofindia.com 26.11.2024 

Chennai : At least 44 doctors have faked their certificates in their applications for postgraduate medical courses in Tamil Nadu under the non-resident Indian (NRI) quota, a verification by the selection committee at the Directorate of Medical Education has found. Half a dozen embassies/ consulates of countries, including those of the US, Dubai, Singapore, Australia and Kuwait, recently confirmed the “ingenuity” of certificates given by these candidates. 

In October, a list published by the postgraduate committee showed that 221 of the 446 (nearly 50%) candidates were ineligible either because they had not submitted adequate documents or because of errors in submission. “While some candidates were allowed to submit documents, the candidature of 44 doctors was declared invalid,” said selection committee secretary Dr P Arunalatha. “We will act against everyone who have produced fake certificates. We asked for legal opinion," she said.

On Monday, officials said the number of ineligible candidates was reduced to 114 from 221 after many candidates submitted relevant documents. More than 20 students faked consulate certificates in 2023, officials said. “If doctors forge certificates, it amounts to unethical practice. They should be debarred,” said Tamil Nadu Medical Council former president Dr K Senthil. At least five students serving their bond period in various govt hospitals applied for admission under the service quota, according to senior officials. “These candidates have also been made ineligible,” said a senior official at the Directorate of Medical Education. Two days ago, the under graduate committee announced that it would file a police complaint and initiate legal action against six candidates who had submitted fake certificates from at least four consulates. 

20% of in-service quota seats to be added to general pool Chennai : At least 20% of seats under the in-service quota in postgraduate medical courses are likely to be added to the general pool in the last few rounds of counselling by the selection committee in Tamil Nadu as there are not enough applicants. “This year, we have nearly 1,150 seats for the in-service quota, but there are just 1,094 applicants,” said a senior official in the selection committee. “Some of these applicants may apply through the general category, leaving no takers for nearly 20% of the seats. So, once we exhaust the in-service merit list, we will add vacant seats to the general pool,” officials said. Doctors' associations said fewer in-service candidates appeared for NEET-PG this year. “We don’t have enough candidates because there aren’t enough doctors,” said Service and Postgraduate Doctors’Association secretary Dr A Ramalingam.

HC refuses to hear PIL against NRI quota in med colleges

HC refuses to hear PIL against NRI quota in med colleges

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  25.11.2024 

Bhopal/Jabalpur : A division bench of MP high court, which had a special sitting on Sunday to hear a public interest litigation over NRI quota in private medical colleges of the state, refused to hear the issue as a PIL. Following this, the petitioner sought to withdraw the PIL, which the court allowed with a liberty to the petitioner to use alternative legal remedies available to him. 

Advocate Vishal Baghel in his PIL said that NEET had prepared a merit list for the NRIs. In the private medical colleges of the state, 15% quota is given to NRIs. There are 22 branches of studies in a medical college, but the state govt has distributed the NRI quota among 8 branches only, which are the most-sought-after branches. He contended that distributing seats of NRI quota among 8 branches rather than all the 22 branches available in medical colleges affects the prospects of meritorious candidates since seats available for them are reduced. 

The state govt's decision to keep NRI quota only in 8 branches rather than all the 22 branches is illegal since it's depriving general candidates of their chance to get admission in their desired branch. The bench headed by the chief justice Suresh Kumar Kait and also comprising Justice Vishal Dhagat while referring to supreme court order said that since the issue concerns admission in a professional course, therefore i can't be heard in the form of PIL. Interests of the petitioner are not being affected in the matter in any manner. Therefore, the issue can't be raised in the form of a PIL. Following this, the petitioner sought to withdraw the petition, which the judges allowed while giving him liberty to use other legal remedies available to him.

Retd prof sues firm for faulty car, wins ₹12 lakh refund

Retd prof sues firm for faulty car, wins ₹12 lakh refund 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 25.11.2024

Bengaluru : An automaker and its dealer in Yelahanka have been told to refund a retired professor more than Rs 12 lakh he had paid to purchase a car which was found to have a manufacturing defect. The 3rd Additional Bengaluru Urban District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission also ordered them to pay the buyer a further Rs 50,000 for causing him mental agony and Rs 10,000 in litigation costs.

 Prof N Ravikantha purchased a Kia Sonet HTX 1.5 D car from Epitome Automo biles in Nov 2020. However, in Aug 2021, the Attur Layout resident noticed a problem in the car and it was found that the engine oil was contaminated due to a manufacturing defect. Though the issue was fixed immediately at the Epitome service centre, the engine oil contamination kept recurring. As the dealer failed to rectify the defects, the retired political science professor filed a complaint against Kia Motors India and Epitome at the consumer court. 

The automaker and the dealer argued that the defect stemmed from improper vehicle use, including failure to follow driving guidelines. They maintained that the car was found roadworthy after routine inspections and replacements, including the catalytic converter. The court concluded that the vehicle had a manufacturing defect that the manufacturer and dealer had failed to address adequately. The court also rejected their claims that the defect stemmed from the vehicle use, noting that the user manual did not clearly outline the driving conditions required to prevent the defect from surfacing. Email correspondence between the parties revealed issues with the vehicle that the dealer failed to resolve adequately. 

In its order passed on Sept 10, 2024, the commission emphasised that engine oil contamination is a critical defect affecting the vehicle’s functionality and safety. Given that the car remained under warranty and was largely unusable, the court determined that a full refund was appropriate. The commission ordered the automaker and dealer must jointly and severally refund Ravikantha Rs 12.36 lakh with an interest rate of 9% per annum with effect from Nov 24, 2021, and pay him another Rs 50,000 for causing him men tal agony, and Rs 10,000 in litigation costs. The commission has given 45 days to the automaker and the dealer to comply with the order. “I have not received the money till now. Upon consulting the service manager, they shifted responsibility to KIA, citing that the order was meant to comply with jointly and severally.

I plan to initiate crime execution proceedings next week in this matter. The company’s behaviour demonstrates its disregard for customer satisfaction. This issue has affected my health as well,” Ravikantha told TOI.

99% charge in EVM battery doesn’t impact counting: EC

99% charge in EVM battery doesn’t impact counting: EC

Nisha.Nambiar@timesofindia.com 25.11.2024 

Pune : Election commission (EC) has dismissed opposition’s claims in Maharashtra about EVM battery levels impacting counting of votes polled in assembly elections. They said EVM battery charge remaining at 99% — one of the charges levelled by opposition after results were declared on Saturday — had no bearing on the counting process. Senior EC officials told TOI that battery percentage displays are for technical monitoring and cannot influence vote recording or counting accuracy: 

“Battery voltage and capacity have no connection to counting operations or EVM integrity.” Actor Swara Bhaskar on Saturday had alleged EVM manipulation, following her husband Fahad Ahmed’s electoral loss, claiming that battery levels of EVMs remained at 99% the entire day. She was among many from opposition who raised issues with EVMs. EC said such allegations lack technical basis and that EVMs use alkaline batteries providing a stable power source for the machines to work even in remote areas without electricity

‘Appointments in architecture dept violate UGC, COA rules’

‘Appointments in architecture dept violate UGC, COA rules’ 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 25.11.2024 

Vadodara : Prof Satish Pathak of M S University has filed a complaint with chief minister Bhupendra Patel against university vicechancellor Prof Vijay Kumar Srivastava. Pathak has alleged that Srivastava appointed five persons as “professors of practice” in the architecture department by violating statutory provisions. Pathak stated that the appointments violate the guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Council of Architecture (COA). 

The architecture department is part of MSU’s Faculty of Technology and Engineering (FTE). The department of architecture, like architecture colleges in the country, is regulated by COA. “Like the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is the regulatory body when it comes to technology and engineering colleges, COA is the regulatory body for architecture colleges. Currently, COA has no provision on the appointment of professors of practice,” he stated in his complaint.

The complaint also states that according to the UGC norms, the number of professors of practice in a higher education institute, at any point in time, should not exceed 10% of the posts sanctioned in the institute. “When it comes to the department of architecture, there are 17 sanctioned posts. These include three posts of professors, six posts of associate professors, and eight posts of assistant professors. Against this sanctioned strength, only one in the form of the current head of department is filled while another teacher retired two years ago. This leaves 16 posts vacant,” he said. “So, appointing five ‘professors of practice’ is not just a violation of the COA provisions but also a violation of UGC guidelines.” Pathak alleged that these appointments were done while cutting short the number of temporary  teaching positions, some of whom were teaching in the department for a long time. He demanded a thorough inquiry into the appointments.

262 oncologists, Tata Memorial come out against Sidhu’s claim

262 oncologists, Tata Memorial come out against Sidhu’s claim 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  25.11.2024

Mumbai/Delhi : In an effort to help a loved one, families of cancer patients often turn to alternative products, adopting dietary changes with an emphasis on haldi or neem in tandem with conventional treatment. A recent video featuring former cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu has now sparked controversy, with Sidhu claiming that such home remedies helped his wife recover from breast cancer, purportedly playing down the role of scientific treatment. The sheer vitality of the video on social media has now prompted the Tata Memorial Hospital to issue an unprecedented rebuttal signed by hundreds of oncologists. 

In the video, Sidhu says, “She started her day with nimbu pani along with ‘kacchi haldi’, garlic, and then neem leaves ... then nuts, beetroot, carrot, and amla. After her operation, there was not a single cell of cancer (cyst) detected. These remedies do not require any money.” Tata Memorial Hospital’s statement is signed by 262 present and past oncologists fromTMH. It said, “These statements have no high-quality evidence to support them. While research is ongoing for some of these products, there is no clinical data currently to recommend their use as anticancer agents.” 

The statement further said, “We urge the public to not delay their treatment by following unproven remedies, but rather to consult a doctor, preferably a cancer specialist, if they have any symptoms of cancer. Cancer is curable if detected early.” Only a day prior to the statement, TMH director Dr C SPramesh took note of the vi-ral video and said in an X (formerly known as Twitter) post, “Please don’t believe and get fooled by these statements regardless of who it comes from. 

These are unscientific and baseless recommendations. She got surgery and chemotherapy that were evidence based, which is what made her cancer-free. Not the haldi, neem, etc.” Dr P K Julka, vice-chairman Max oncology, said cancer treatment should follow scientific norms. “New claims, if any, need to be proved by scientific means,” he said.

Taxi guided by Google Maps falls of bridge, 3 people killed

Taxi guided by Google Maps falls of bridge, 3 people killed

 Kanwardeep.Singh@timesofindia.com 25.11.2024

Bareilly : Three men from Uttar Pradesh died when their taxi plunged off an incomplete bridge in Faridpur on Saturday night while travelling from Gurugram to Bareilly. Police said they were using navigation app, Google Maps, to navigate from Dataganj (Budaun) to Faridpur via Khallpur but were unaware the bridge over the Ramganga river was incomplete. 

On Sunday morning, Khallpur villagers spotted the car under the incomplete bridge and informed the police. Faridpur SHO Rahul Singh checked the victims’ mobile phones and found that they were navigating with Google Maps. He said, “We recovered the identity card of a Gurugrambased security company in the car. The victims were then identified as Nitin Kumar, 30, his cousins Ajit Kumar, 35, and Amit Kumar, 30. Nitin and Ajit, residents of Farrukhabad, worked as drivers for a Gurugram-based security company, while Amit, from Mainpuri, was their distant relative.” The CO also said the bodies have been sent for an autopsy

Stalin directs govt offices to read Preamble on Nov 26

Stalin directs govt offices to read Preamble on Nov 26 

TIMES OF INDIA 25.11.2024 

Chennai : Chief minister M K Stalin has directed all govt offices, courts and educational institutions to read the Preamble of the Indian Constitution on Nov 26, marking the 75th year of the Constitution’s adoption. In a release, state govt said that based on the instructions from Stalin, arrangements have been made in secretariat, high court, district collectorates, all the govt offices, local body offices, schools and colleges to read the Preamble at 11 am on Nov 26. Stalin also urged education institutes to conduct speech competitions, seminars and quiz competitions on the fundamentals of Indian Constitution. The move comes in the backdrop of opposition parties accusing the BJP-led Union govt of not giving due respect to the Indian Constitution. The INDIA bloc had carried out the "Save Our Constitution" campaign against the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Govt doctors plan protest against senior officials

Govt doctors plan protest against senior officials 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  25.11.2024 

Chennai : Govt doctors have threatened to stop all medical camps and boycott meetings held at the district level from Monday to protest against “the harassment meted out to doctors” by senior officials of the directorate of public health (DPH), national health mission (NHM), directorate of medical health and rural services (DMS), and district collectors. The Tamil Nadu Govt Doctors Association has said doctors will not perform elective surgeries in the obstetrics and gynaecology departments from Tuesday if their demands, including filling up of about 5,000 vacancies, are not met. 

They will exit all official WhatsApp groups and not update govt portals including those that monitor maternal health, and quality of care in labour rooms. After holding an executive meeting on Sunday, the association listed a number of incidents in which the doctors were “treated like criminals in districts including Trichy, Virudhunagar, Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai and Dharmapuri”. There were assaults on doctors in Chennai and Trichy. The association also condemned the NHM director Arun Thamburaj for his remarks about hospital heads and department heads for maternal deaths. Requesting chief minister M K Stalin to intervene in the matter at the earliest, the association has also passed resolutions seeking anonymous maternal death audit, monthly review meetings by district collectors during office hours, stopping the ranking of doctors and hospitals, and allowing voluntary retirement of doctors like other govt departments. . Meanwhile, the Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association (SDPGA) too has condemned the attitude of IAS officers and senior officials towards govt doctors. “We demand that our professionals be treated with dignity,” it said.

Govt. doctors plan protest to press charter of demands

Govt. doctors plan protest to press charter of demands

The Hindu Bureau

Chennai  25.11.2024

The Service Doctors and Postgraduates Association will go on mass casual leave for a day in the third week of December to press their charter of demands.

Its members said they wanted to be treated with dignity as professionals during meetings between government doctors and bureaucrats.

The association demanded that the National Health Mission in-charge “express regret for his derogatory remarks against doctors”.

It wanted the government to replace bureaucrats posted in NHM, TN Health Systems Project, TANSACS and similar bodies with senior government doctors in the cadre of directors.

The association also underscored its demand that the government implement security measures for health professionals.

The association will join hands with other doctors’ organisations in this regard.

NEWS TODAY 24.11.2024

 

₹30L penalty for vacating seat in govt medical college challenged in HC

₹30L penalty for vacating seat in govt medical college challenged in HC 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 24.11.2024

Jabalpur : Challenging the govt's decision to impose a penalty of Rs 30 lakh for vacating a PG seat from a govt medical college, the student, who vacated the seat, moved a petition before the high court, claiming that he vacated the seat due to rag ging and harsh duties. Hearing the petition, the division bench of Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice Anuradha Shukla issued a notice to the respondents seeking a response. 

The petition, filed on behalf of Dr Raj Kumar Ahirwar, a resident of Sihora, stated that he belongs to the SC category. He was selected in the NEET exam 2022 and was allotted a PG paediatrics seat at Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal. At the time of admission, he also signed a seatleaving bond. From Nov 2022 to Jan 2023, he allegedly faced ragging at the college. Additionally, he was ma de to work continuously for 48 hours as a junior doctor. Distressed by the harassment, he left the seat in Jan 2023. Due to the seat-leaving bond, the college administration charged him a penalty of Rs 30 lakh to return his original documents. Advocate Aditya Sanghi represented the petitioner.

Con man poses as govt officer, cheats three of ₹7L Identified Himself As Chairman Of Dept Of Science, R&D

Con man poses as govt officer, cheats three of ₹7L Identified Himself As Chairman Of Dept Of Science, R&D 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 24.11.2024

Ahmedabad : The Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) launched a search for Mehul Shah, a resident of Wankaner, who allegedly posed as a senior govt official and cheated three individuals out of Rs 7 lakh. Shah’s victims include a car rental company owner, a bouncer, and a painter, all lured by promises of lucrative deals or govt jobs. Pratik Shah, a car rental company owner, filed the complaint after being defrauded by Mehul Shah. The scam began on Sep 6, when Shah contacted Pratik, claiming to be a senior govt officer. He hired an SUV for Rs 3,500 per day, stating it was needed for daily office use. Shah subsequently insisted on modifications to the vehicle, including a siren, red light, white curtains, and a “Government of India” plate, presenting forged documents supposedly signed by a senior govt official. Pratik complied, even getting approvals from the RTO and police.

 Mehul also told him that he was a trustee at a university in the Asarwa area. He went on to hire two buses, purportedly to transport students on a picnic to Mount Abu, and rented additional vehicles for his relatives. In October, Mehul claimed that he got a promotion in the revenue department and requested a higher-end SUV. He agreed to Pratik’s quotation of Rs 7,000 per day, despite owing him substantial unpaid dues. To secure the arrangement, Mehul issued a work order forged with a signature as the chairman of the Department of Science and Research Development. The agreement was for three years. When Pratik demanded Rs 90,000 in unpaid bills, Shah provided a blank cheque, which bounced  due to insufficient funds. Shah then ceased all communication, and Pratik realised that he was defrauded. Pratik was cheated of Rs 1.6 lakh in total. 

Bouncer paid ₹3L to secure son’s job Pratik’s driver, Alpesh Padhiyar, revealed that Shah had requested a bouncer for security services. Alpesh referred his acquaintance, Vinod Bhambhi, whom Mehul lured with a govt clerk job for his son Vatsal at a fictitious ‘Asarwa University.’ He demanded Rs 3 lakh for the job from Bhambhi, who paid him to secure the job for his son. Shah handed Bhambhi a forged appointment letter on the letterhead of the District Education Officer (DEO), Ahmedabad City. However, when Bhambhi approached DEO RM Chaudhary for verification, the letter was confirmed to be fake. The complaint states that Mehul Shah did not even spare a man hired for painting work at the university, claiming he had purchased the institution. Shah duped Sipai of Rs 2.4 lakh by not paying for the painting work. TNN