AAI to set up RT-PCR test lab at airport

AAI to set up RT-PCR test lab at airport

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:31.01.2021

Airports Authority of India will set up a Covid testing lab facility at Chennai airport in a couple of weeks as the government has given permission for the RT-PCR test.

An airport official said that people who prefer to get tested can pay and give samples. Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad airports have already started a testing facility to offer passengers an option to get tested as the government has stopped testing international arrivals.

"Though people arrive with a negative certificate, they can be told to take the test if there is a doubt or if they fail temperature screening," he added. The space and people to run the testing centre are ready and the authorities were waiting for the state government to approve the kind of test that will be conducted. "The results wil be known in four to five hours and there will be space like a lounge for passengers to wait. Once the the facility is ready testing may become compulsory for passengers from the UK and other countries," he said.

Now, international passengers can land with a negative RT-PCR test result to avoid quarantine and tests.

Court sets aside order sacking cop accused of rape

Court sets aside order sacking cop accused of rape

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:31.01.2021 

The Madras high court set aside an earlier order of a single judge upholding compulsory retirement for an Armed Reserve policeman, who was accused of making false promises of marrying a 17-year-old girl and sexually assaulting her.

A division bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy also said the policeman is entitled to half the salary he would have earned if he were in service for the period between the order and the present.

A disciplinary committee of the police department had punished the armed reserve personnel belonging to Vellore division after a 17-year-old girl charged him with sexually assaulting her on the pretext of marrying her. In 2005, the committee dismissed him from service. The policeman appealed against the dismissal stating that during the investigation, charges of sexual harassment were not proven and only the false promise of marriage was confirmed. But the superintendent of police concerned disagreed with the finding rendered by the inquiry officer on the sexual harassment charge. A single judge upheld the order by the disciplinary committee.

While hearing the appeal against the single judge’s order, the first bench observed that the failure to live up to a promise to marry cannot be equated with the commission of the offence of rape.

“What is evident from the appreciation of theevidenceby the disciplinary authority is that the intimacy between the two was established, but there is not a shred of evidence alluded to indicate that any physical violence was resorted to by the delinquent,” the bench observed and set aside the earlier order.

The policeman said that while charge of false promise of marriage was confirmed during probe, the charge of sexual harassment was not proved

Anna univ loses 2 MTech courses in state’s quota war with Centre

Anna univ loses 2 MTech courses in state’s quota war with Centre

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:31.01.2021

Admission to two centrally-sponsored M Tech courses at Anna University has been cancelled this year following the Centre’s insistence that the university follow only 49.5% reservation and not the state government’s 69% quota policy in admitting students.

The Union government’s department of biotechnologysupported courses of M Tech Biotechnology and M Tech Computational Biology programmes offer ₹12,000 and ₹12,500 respectively as stipend to a total of 45 students.

“As the central government rules of reservation were not acceptable to the government of Tamil Nadu, Anna University is unable to proceed with the admission to the DBT-supported MTech Biotechnology and MTech Computational Biology programmes for the academic year 2020–21,” the university announced on its website on Saturday.

The decision has left many aspirants heartbroken as the demand for these courses increased following the Covid-19 pandemic.

MTech Biotechnology course is being offered since 1985 at Anna University and MTech Computational Biology has been on from 2014-15.

Students may have to waste a year

Students qualified in Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test and Graduate Aptitude Test in Biotechnology (GAT-B) said they found themselves stranded and might have to waste one academic year.

“My daughter is within top 100 ranks in GAT-B exam. We are disappointed by the decision by the university. They should admit students even without any stipend, as there is huge demand for these courses,” a parent from Chennai said.

K Muthukumaran, whose daughter was waiting for MTech biotechnology admission, said, “TN wanted 69% reservation whereas the Centre insisted on 49.5% reservation. Due to the conflict over quota policy, Anna University kept postponing admissions to these two courses for the last three months. Meanwhile, the admissions to MTech biotechnology in other institutions got over.”

Till last year, the admissions for these two courses were conducted at all India level. Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi used to conduct Combined Entrance Exam for Biotechnology (JNU CEEB) for admitting students at MTech biotechnology while Pondicherry University used to conduct all India entrance test for computational biology course.

This year, however, the Regional Centre for Biotechnology in Faridabad took over the responsibility of conducting both the entrance exams and the name of exam was also changed as Graduate Aptitude Test in Biotechnology (GAT-B). Instead of conducting both entrance test and admissions, the RCB announced that the admissions would be conducted by respective institutions.

Since it is a central government-sponsored course, DBT followed 49.5% reservation in all India admissions till last year. Anna University sought clarification from state governmentsover the reservation policy to be followed in admissions to these two programmes. “The state government directed the university to follow 69% reservation, for which DBT, which is funding these programmes, did not agree. We have no other way but to cancel the admissions to the two popular courses,” an Anna University official said.

When askedwhether the varsity could have followed 69% reservation by increasing the intake,theofficialsaidtheAllIndia Council for Technical Education will not give permission to increase intake in the middle of an academic year and faculty members will not be sufficient.

Stray Vacancy Round for BDS Admissions: MCC issues advisory for candidates

Stray Vacancy Round for BDS Admissions: MCC issues advisory for candidates: New Delhi: Through a recent notification, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has issued an advisory for the BDS candidates. The MCC had earlier released the revised tentative schedule for

நீதிமன்றங்கள் மீதான விமர்சனம் அதிகரிப்பு'

நீதிமன்றங்கள் மீதான விமர்சனம் அதிகரிப்பு'

Updated : ஜன 30, 2021 00:03 | Added : ஜன 29, 2021 21:36 |

புதுடில்லி:'நீதிமன்றங்களை விமர்சிக்கும் போக்கு அதிகரித்து வருகிறது; அனைத்து தரப்பு மக்களும் விமர்சிக்கின்றனர்' என, சுப்ரீம் கோர்ட் தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

மஹாராஷ்டிராவைச் சேர்ந்த நகைச்சுவை பேச்சாளர் குனால் கம்ரா, கர்நாடகாவைச் சேர்ந்த கார்ட்டூனிஸ்ட் ரச்சித் தனிஜா ஆகியோர், சமூக வலைதளங்களில் உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்தை கடுமையாக விமர்சித்திருந்தனர். இருவர் மீதும், உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்தில் நீதிமன்ற அவமதிப்பு வழக்கு தொடரப்பட்டது. இந்த வழக்கு, நீதிபதிகள் அசோக் பூஷண், ஆர்.எஸ்.ரெட்டி, எம்.ஆர்.ஷா ஆகியோர் அடங்கிய அமர்வு முன், விசாரணைக்கு வந்தது.

குனால் கம்ரா சார்பில் தாக்கல் செய்யப்பட்ட பதில் மனுவில், 'பொருத்தமில்லாமல் பேசுவது, நகைச்சுவைக்கான சாதனம். நகைச்சுவையாக கூறப்படுவதை, அப்படியே அர்த்தமாக கருதி, எடுத்துக் கொள்ளக் கூடாது' என, கூறியிருந்தார்.

இதையடுத்து, நீதிபதிகள் உத்தரவிட்டதாவது: நீதிமன்றங்களை விமர்சிப்பது, சமீபகாலமாக அதிகரித்து வருகிறது. அனைத்து தரப்பு மக்களும் விமர்சிக்கின்றனர். பதில் மனு தாக்கல் செய்ய, தனிஜாவுக்கு மூன்று வார கால அவகாசம் வழங்கப்படுகிறது.இவ்வாறு, நீதிபதிகள் உத்தரவிட்டனர்.

உங்கள் குழந்தைக்கு நாளை சொட்டு மருந்து போடுங்க!

உங்கள் குழந்தைக்கு நாளை சொட்டு மருந்து போடுங்க!

Updated : ஜன 30, 2021 05:52 | Added : ஜன 30, 2021 05:51

சென்னை : போலியோ சொட்டு மருந்து முகாம் நாளை(ஜன.,31) நடைபெற உள்ளதால், தவறாமல், 5 வயதிற்கு உட்பட்ட குழந்தைக்கு சொட்டு மருந்து போட வேண்டும் என, அறிவுறுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது.

போலியோ நோய் இல்லாத நாடாக இந்தியா உள்ளது. ஆனாலும், அண்டை நாடுகளில் இருந்து, போலியோ பரவாமல் தடுக்கும் வகையில், ஒவ்வொரு ஆண்டும், 5 வயதிற்கு உட்பட்ட குழந்தைகளுக்கு, போலியோ சொட்டு மருந்து போடப்படுகிறது.

நாடு முழுதும், வரும், 31ம் தேதி, 5 வயதிற்கு உட்பட்ட குழந்தைகளுக்கு, போலியோ சொட்டு மருந்து போடும் முகாம் நடைபெற உள்ளது. தமிழகத்தை பொறுத்தவரை, 70.20 லட்சம் குழந்தைகளுக்கு போலியோ சொட்டு மருந்து போட, இலக்கு நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்த முகாம், காலை, 7:00 மணி முதல் மாலை, 5:00 மணி வரை நடைபெற உள்ளது.

இப்பணியில், 41 ஆயிரத்து, 53 மையங்களில், 2 லட்சத்துக்கும் மேற்பட்ட பணியாளர்கள் ஈடுபட உள்ளனர். முகாமில், 5 வயதிற்கு உட்பட்ட குழந்தைகளுக்கு தவறாமல் சொட்டு மருந்து போட்டுக் கொள்ள, சுகாதாரத் துறை அதிகாரிகள் அறிவுறுத்தி உள்ளனர்.

NEWS DIGEST

NEWS DIGEST

30.01.2021

Nursing intake deadline now Feb 28

The Indian Nursing Council has fixed February 28 as the last date for admission to for ANM, GNM and BSc nursing courses in the state, said sources. “Usually the time-frame for admission to all the courses is the same but this time around, January 31 has been fixed as the last date for ANM-GNM courses while February 28 is the last date for admission to BSc nursing,” according to sources. The decision comes after the admission council made a representation to the Council for pushing the deadline this year.

Extra coaches added to five trains: The Western Railway has decided to add one sleeper coach to each of five trains passing from Ahmedabad. WR officials said the decision was taken to clear extra rush, and on a temporary basis. The five trains which will now have an extra sleeper coach each are Bandra Terminus – Bhavnagar Terminus Express, Bandra Terminus – Bhuj Express, Dadar – Bhuj Express, Bhavnagar Terminus – Asansol Junction Express and Porbandar – Delhi S. Rohilla Express.

PSI’s brother-in-law surrenders in graft case: Devendra Odedara, the brother-in-law of suspended PSI Shweta Jadeja, surrendered before a special court on Friday. The court handed over his custody to the Special Operations Group. Odedara is accused of accepting bribe money on behalf of PSI Jadeja last year. While Jadeja was arrested and sent to police remand, Odedara remained an absconder.

Lifetime RTI ban imposed on whistleblower from Amreli

Lifetime RTI ban imposed on whistleblower from Amreli

‘Cantankerous Approach’ Cited To Negate Right

Ashish.Chauhan@timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad:30.01.2021

The Gujarat information commissioner delivered a serious blow to the Right to Information Act by imposing a lifetime ban on an Amreli man, who has exposed several scams in GSRTC through his applications. In what is probably the first-of-its-kind verdict in the country, the commissioner cited the applicant’s ‘cantankerous approach’ as a reason for taking away his right to know about government affairs -- a fundamental right guaranteed to him under Article 19 of the Constitution.

The commissioner also stated that applicant Manoj Sarpadadia had ‘tried to harass the authorities’.

Sarpadadia, a 46-year-old from Savarkundla, is a bus conductor with Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC). He had been suspended in March 2017 after he allegedly siphoned off money by not issuing tickets to passengers.

He has so far filed 170 RTI applications from 2017 to 2020 regarding alleged irregularities in GSRTC as well as departmental action taken against corrupt employees.

Sarpadadia had on September 12, 2019 filed an RTI plea seeking minutes of GSRTC’s vigilance meeting held in connection with an irregularity practised by an employee.

However, Gujarat information commissioner Ramesh Karia observed that Sarpadadia’s act of filing RTI creates nuisance and disturbance for the state authorities and he has been filing the pleas to take vengeance.

"Commission feels that applicant has a cantankerous approach and he is an applicant who creates constant nuisance and disturbance for the state authorities. This has been reflected in the long lists of his RTI applications where it seems that an employee has been trying to make mockery of his institution by seeking irrelevant information under RTI just because he is aggrieved and wants to take revenge," states an order issued by Karia on December 12, 2020, a copy of which was obtained by Sarpadadia on Monday.

The order also mentions that Sarpadadia has been making mockery of RTI Act. "Sarpadadia has not sought any information which seems relevant with the motto of the act as mentioned in its preamble. The preamble of the Act puts stress on fixing accountability of government officers but this applicant has been acting in such a way that he seems to be putting pressure of government employees," it adds.

Sarpadadia told TOI, “I was suspended wrongfully because I had raised objections against corruption in the ST. However, this gave me time to file RTIs and expose corruption in GSRTC, but they have taken away that right, too.”

‘Shocking’ rulings cost judge her confirmation

‘Shocking’ rulings cost judge her confirmation

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:30.01.2021

Back-to-back controversial decisions relating to child sexual offences forced the Supreme Court collegium to take the unprecedented step of withdrawing its recommendation to the Centre to make the author of the judgments, Justice Pushpa Ganediwala, an additional judge in Bombay HC, a permanent judge of the HC.

She stunned many with her January 19 judgment acquitting a man charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act on the ground that pressing the breasts of a 12-year-old girl without removing her top did not entail skin-to-skin contact and, hence, was not an offence under the Act. A day later, the collegium headed by CJI S A Bobde, disregarding serious objections from two senior SC judges, “approved the proposal for appointment of Ganediwala” and it was sent to the law ministry.

SC sitting on 23 judge names for mths: Govt

The Centre on Friday said the SC would do well to expedite a decision on 23 names for judges proposed by HCs. The names have been pending consideration of the SC collegium for nine months to 33 months. P 15

‘Judge needs to be sensitised about Pocso’

As public criticism mounted against the specious “skin-to-skin contact” logic that reflected the judge’s insensitivity towards minor girls subjected to sexual harassment or assault, senior judges of the SC, Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, both hailing from Bombay HC, reiterated their strong reservations against making Justice Ganediwala a permanent judge of the HC in closed door conversations. Both had reservations even against her initial appointment as an additional judge in Bombay HC in February 2019.

Justices Khanwilkar and Chandrachud, who are not members of the three-member collegium that decides appointments, confirmations and transfers of HC judges, convinced one of the members of collegium to withdraw his consent to the resolution approving appointment of Justice Ganediwala as a permanent judge.

When the CJI was deliberating on the embarrassing move of recalling the proposal that had already been sent to the Union government, Justice Ganediwala made his task easier by giving a second controversial judgment on January 28, by which she acquitted a 50-year-old man by ruling that holding the hand of a five-year-old girl and unzipping his pants in front of her could not be categorised as a sexual offence under POCSO Act. The SC judges are of the opinion that she needs to be sensitised about the aim and object behind enactment of POCSO Act.

Punishing teens in love not aim of Pocso: Court

Punishing teens in love not aim of Pocso: Court

Chennai:30.01.2021

Punishing an adolescent boy who enters into a relationship with a minor girl by treating him as an offender was never the objective of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, observed the Madras HC. It also recommended to the legislature to swiftly bring necessary amendments to the act, reports Srikkanth D.

The court made the observations while quashing criminal proceedings pending before a magistrate court against an auto driver who was booked under Pocso for marrying a minor. The case was filed in 2018, when both the boy and the girl were a few days short of 18.

‘Pocso law can become tool in hands of certain sections of the society’

The girl’s family moved the HC to quash the criminal proceedings, saying the family wanted to get the girl married and that the criminal proceedings caused them mental agony. On her part, the girl also deposed before the court through video-conferencing and said she was in a relationship with the boy.

The prosecution argued that the court has to consider whether an offence of this nature could be quashed on the ground of compromise between the parties.

Justice N Anand Venkatesh, after perusing the submissions, noted that there can be no second thought as to the seriousness of offences under the Pocso Act and the object it seeks to achieve. “However, it is imperative for the court to draw a thin line that demarcates the nature of acts that should not be made to fall within the scope of the act, for such is the severity of sentences provided under the act, if acted upon hastily, it could lead to irreparable damage to the livelihood of youth whose actions would have only been innocuous.” The judge said the law meant to protect and render justice to victims of child abuse can become a tool in the hands of certain sections of the society.

The court also pointed out that it is crucial to be aware of the science and psychology of adolescence and young adulthood and cited various studies and to the definition by the UN, which categorises adolescence as 10-19 years of age and young people as 10-24 years in the Southeast Asia region.

HC closes plea after woman refuses to go with husband

HC closes plea after woman refuses to go with husband

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Madurai:30.01.2021

The Madras high court on Friday closed a plea moved by a Singaporean cricketer seeking to rescue his wife from alleged illegal detention by her parents, after she informed the court that she was not willing to go with her husband. The court was hearing the habeas corpus petition filed by Surendran Chandramohan, a native of Thanjavur district, who is a member of the Singapore cricket team. The petitioner stated that he and Sneka from Thanjavur were in love with each other since 2018. Since they belonged to different communities, Sneka’s parents opposed their relationship due to which they got married in December last year.

AIADMK sacks cadre over Sasikala poster

AIADMK sacks cadre over Sasikala poster

Trichy:30.01.2021

The ruling AIADMK on Friday expelled Puliyur R Annadurai, a party functionary in Trichy, from its primary membership for acting against its principles.

In a joint statement, AIADMK coordinator and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam and joint coordinator and chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami stated that Annadurai, the party’s district representative of Andhanallur south union in Trichy, has been removed from the primary membership of the party for his action which was contradictory to the goals and principles of the party and for bringing disrepute to the party. They asked the party cadre not to have any truck with Annadurai henceforth. The action comes a couple of days after Annadurai put up posters in Trichy welcoming the release of V K Sasikala from Bengaluru prison after completing her jail term in connection with a disproportionate assets case.

The posters put up by Annadurai termed Sasikala as the general secretary of the AIADMK. He also stated that Sasikala had lived a life of penance for 33 years with former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. He was the second party functionary to be ousted for putting up posters welcoming Sasikala. On January 27, Subramaniya Raja, who was Tirunelveli district deputy general secretary of the MGR Makkal Mandram, was sacked over the same issue. TNN

3 monkeys which bit 20 people caught, rehabilitated

3 monkeys which bit 20 people caught, rehabilitated

Oppili.P@timesgroup.com

Chennai:30.01.2021

Three rogue monkeys which attacked more than 20 people in Kolambakkam in Chengalpet were captured and rehabilitated by wildlife (headquarters) officials on Thursday.

According to range officer Edison, after Kancheepuram forest officials said they did not have trained monkey catchers villagers approached Vandalur zoo authorities who in turn gave them the contact number of headquarters range office at Velacherry.

A team of experts of monkey catchers took four hours to trap the monkeys and later released them in a reserved forest, Edison said. Sources said when the monkeys were young they were captured by Narikoravas who tried to train them. However, when they failed, they (Narikoravas) released them near the village.

TRAPPED: The three simian

Speed of many trains up, travel time to TN cities comes down

Speed of many trains up, travel time to TN cities comes down

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:30.01.2021

The train travel time to many cities from Chennai has come down as railways have equipped a few stretches to operate trains at speeds ranging between 120kmph and 130kmph.

As trains from Chennai run at high speed at some of the stretches, instead of a standard speed of 70-100kmph, they reach earlier than usual and railways has revised timings to accommodate the change in speed. Trains from Chennai to Kollam via Sengottai, Mangalore and Ahmedabad and from Nagercoil to Mumbai reach faster as they run at above 120kmph on some of the stretches of the route. There is a difference of 10minutes to 15minutes on some of the routes. Trains from Chennai that run along Renigunta-Wadi stretch and Gudur-Visakhapatnam stretch too get speeded up.

A Southern Railway official said this was the first step to ensure that trains could be operated at better speed uniformly at longer stretches. Railway divisions across the country are in the process of making their tracks ready to handle trains at good speeds. Stretches in Palakkad and Madurai have been done. Other zones have done in their respective divisions.

"A combination of speeding up at certain stretches, elimination of non-popular stoppages and others help in speeding up trains. This also helps in clearing path for smooth running of freight trains and make time available for maintenance of tracks without cancelling or rescheduling trains," he added.

A speed trial was done on Kanchipuram-Arakkonam line two days ago. As the entire length of a line cannot be readied for trains to run at 130kmph due to level crossings and speed restrictions, stretches that are feasible are being readied.

CITY DIGEST

CITY DIGEST

30.01.2021

MU students want hostel mess opened

A group of students from Madras University's Marina campus hostel held a sit-in protest for the last two days demanding to waive the hostel fees for lockdown period and open the mess for the students. Students alleged that the hostel management asked the students to pay the fees towards salaries to hostel workers from March to June last year. The hostels were closed on March 17 last year due to Covid-19 pandemic. Protesting students also alleged that university authorities did not meet them despite giving several written complaints.

Vacancies for office assistants: Tamil Nadu Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department has invited applications for recruitment of 12 posts of office assistant (OA) posts. The last date to apply is February 14. Minimum educational qualification for the job is Class VIII. Interested candidates can apply online through TNRD's official website ( http://www.tnrd.gov.in/).

Power shutdown in Pammal: Tangedco has announced that power supply will be suspended temporarily in Pammal area in Chennai on Saturday to facilitate maintenance work. There will be no power supply from 9 am to 2 pm in shops and houses along Nehru Nagar, H.L Colony, Venkateswara Nagar, Agatheeswar Nagar, Viman Nagar, Lakshmi Nagar, MGR Street and Bharathi Nagar. Power supply will be resumed before 2pm if work is completed, according to an official release.

Plea to reopen sand quarries: The Tamil Nadu Sand Lorry Owners Association has urged the state government to reopen 80 sand quarries. In a press release, association state president R Munirathanam said the request to open more quarries was because only two sand quarries were being operated in Tamil Nadu at present, offering just three loads of river sand for a truck through the online booking system.

HC: Can’t ask Pondy to allot medical seat to Villupuram student

HC: Can’t ask Pondy to allot medical seat to Villupuram student

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:30.01.2021

The Madras High Court on Friday made it clear that it cannot direct the Puducherry government to provide medical seat under the Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC) of Puducherry to a Villupuram resident who passed NEET examinations from a Puducherry School.

A division bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Senthil Kumar Ramamoorthy upheld the earlier order by a single judge, who had refused to direct three private medical colleges in Puducherry to allot 50% (75 seats each) of their intake capacity to the government quota.

The court observed that if allowed, several students living in the border villages of TN-Puducherry will claim seats in a similar manner.

The case pertains to Manikandan, a resident of Villupuram but doing his schooling in Puducherry. Manikandan had secured the 111th rank in the rank list released by the Puducherry government.

According to the petitioner, since the school where he did his education was in Puducherry limits, the Tamil Nadu government rejected his application and citing his place of residence, the Puducherry government had said he was not eligible to apply under CENTAC.

A single judge dismissed the plea moved by the student appealing against which the student moved a division bench.

On Friday, the first bench comprising the Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthil Kumar Ramamoorthy after hearing the submissions made by the counsels made it clear that it is not possible for the petitioner to apply under the 7.5 percent reservation of the Tamil Nadu government school students applying for medical admissions.

The judges also accepted the state submissions that if the petitioner is allowed under the reservation, it will only result in students in the bordering villages applying to the state under the quota and dismissed the plea.

Mop-up counselling for MBBS, BDS seats

Mop-up counselling for MBBS, BDS seats

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:30.01.2021

The state will conduct a mop-up counselling round from Saturday to fill up MBBS and BDS seats that fell vacant, an official said.

On Friday, the selection committee secretary Dr G Selvarajan said four MBBS seats in government colleges, 15 government quota seats in self-financing colleges and 113 government BDS seats, including 11 in government colleges, were vacant after two rounds of counselling.

Besides this, there were seats vacant under management and NRI quota. Since the deadline for admissions expired, the state moved the top court seeking permission for a mop-up round. “We have been given one week time to fill the seats.”

The mop-up counselling for admission to government quota MBBS seats in government medical colleges and government quota seats in self-financing colleges will be held at 2pm on Saturday and in two sessions from 9am on Sunday, while for BDS seats in government dental colleges and government quota seats in self-financing colleges will be held in two sessions from 9 am on Saturday. For management quota seats in self-financing dental colleges, it will be held at noon on Saturday

TN will begin vaccination of govt frontline workers on Feb 1: Minister

TN will begin vaccination of govt frontline workers on Feb 1: Minister

200 Private Hospitals Roped In

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:30.01.2021

The public health department will start vaccinating frontline workers in home department, local administration and revenue department from across the state from February 1 and allow nearly 200 private hospitals to start vaccinating staff in their facilities, health minister C Vijayabaskar announced on Friday.

The state has inoculated less than 20% of its healthcare providers since January 16. On Friday, 8,659 healthcare workers took the vaccine, which pushed the total number of vaccine recipients in the state to 97,126 against the total of 5.19 lakh people registered in the portal. Earlier this week, the state had urged the centre to allow simultaneous vaccination of frontline workers.

Until Friday, the state has registered 1.8 lakh employees of the home department, 1.7 lakh employees of local administration department and 1.2 lakh from revenue department in the Cowin portal, and is hoping to add at least one lakh more names in the portal. “We will start vaccinations for all preregistered government employees from Monday,” Vijayabaskar told reporters.

Meanwhile, smaller hospitals with 150 or more healthcare providers have been asked to collect the vaccine from respective regional vaccination centres and offer it to their employees. “We have a database of the employees registered in the portal. They can collect the vaccines from us and offer it to their staff at their own hospitals. Hospitals that have fewer staff can visit the nearest government centre for the vaccine,” he said. The smaller hospitals should have adequate space, four vaccination officers, vaccinators and observation rooms to set up the inhouse camp. Officials say increasing the number of sites will encourage more doctors and healthcare providers to take the vaccine.

On Friday, for the second consecutive day, the state increased the number of sites to 286 from 236 on Thursday and 166 on Wednesday. The number of sessions was increased to 298 from 250 on Thursday. The state which had the capacity to vaccinate 29,800 healthcare providers but only 8659 people showed up. In the last 14 days, the state had the capacity to vaccinate more than 2.6 lakh healthcare providers, but the state has managed to vaccinate only 37% of its capacity. “Many people still hesitate to take the Covaxin. I took it and I am fine,” Vijayabaskar said. So far, 2,332 people have received the Bharat biotech vaccine.

Earlier, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said the government had made arrangements to vaccinate 20% of the population, which is 1.60 crore, this year.

SHOT OF LIFE: On Friday, 8,659 healthcare workers took the vaccine, pushing the total number of vaccine recipients in the state to 97,126

Case against Eflu VC dropped

Case against Eflu VC dropped

Hyderabad:30/01/2021

Two days after a criminal case was registered against E Suresh Kumar, vicechancellor of English and Foreign Languages University (Eflu), Hyderabad police on Friday gave a clean chit to the VC and said the case was closed. Police said a student filed a false complaint against the VC and withdrew it on Friday.

“The complaint made against Kumar and the registrar by students alleging they were not allowed into campus to take part in the Republic Day celebrations was proved to be false,” police said. Three students alleged that they were denied entry to participate in the event. However, Kumar said there was no invite for students for physical participation. TNN

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RTI- Husband Not Entitled To Seek Information Regarding Bank Details & Income Tax Returns Of His Wife: CIC: In a significant order, the Central Information Commission has said that a Husband is not entitled to seek information regarding bank details & income tax returns of his wife under the Right to...

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RTI- Husband Not Entitled To Seek Information Regarding Bank Details & Income Tax Returns Of His Wife: CIC: In a significant order, the Central Information Commission has said that a Husband is not entitled to seek information regarding bank details & income tax returns of his wife under the Right to...

Applications invited for lapsed medical seats

Applications invited for lapsed medical seats

Those who have already applied and are on the merit list need not apply again.

Published: 29th January 2021 06:23 AM |

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Selection Committee of Directorate of Medical Education has called for applications from candidates to fill 112 lapsed NRI seats under management quota in self-financing medical and dental colleges.

The Committee has asked the candidates, who are qualified in NEET UG 2020, to fill up the application online and upload the required documents from Thursday to Saturday (January 30).

Those who have already applied and are on the merit list need not apply again. The candidates who have applied from January 23 to 25 for BDS management quota seats need not apply again. The students can log on to www.tnmedicalselection.org for further details.

Three special trains from Feb 1, three locals cancelled

Three special trains from Feb 1, three locals cancelled

Southern Railway will operate three fully reserved special trains in Chennai-Tirupati, Chennai-Jolarpettai and Villupuram-Madurai routes from February 1.

Published: 29th January 2021 06:24 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Southern Railway will operate three fully reserved special trains in Chennai-Tirupati, Chennai-Jolarpettai and Villupuram-Madurai routes from February 1. Reservation of seats for above trains are thrown open, the Railways said in a statement.

The special train in Villupuram-Madurai section will replace the passenger train. While the passenger train stopped at 40 stations, stoppage for the special train has been reduced to 26 and travel time by 55 minutes.

The Villupuram-Madurai daily express special will leave Villupuram at 4.25 pm and reach Madurai at 11.45 pm. In the return journey, the train will leave Madurai at 3.35 am and reach Villupuram at 11.25 pm.

3 suburban trains cancelled

Meanwhile, to facilitate maintenance works, Chennai division of Southern Railway has made changes in the operation of suburban trains in Chennai-Chengalpattu section. According to a press statement, Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu local trains leaving Chennai Beach at 9:32 am, 10.08 am, 10.56 am, 11.48 am and 12.15 pm will run up to Tambaram on January 29 and 30, the Railways said in a statement.

Similarly, in the return journey, Chengalpattu-Chennai Beach local scheduled to leave Chengalpattu at 11.30 pm, 12.20 pm, 01.00 pm and 1.50 pm on January 29 and 30 will be cancelled between Chengalpattu and Tambaram. The trains will be operated from Tambaram as per the schedule of the existing services, the statement said.

The Tirumalpur-Chennai Beach local train leaving Tirumalpur at 10:30 am is rescheduled to leave Tirumalpur at 12:15 pm on January 29 and at 12 pm on January 30, it added.

Rajah Muthiah Medical College now under govt

Rajah Muthiah Medical College now under govt

Institute to be affiliated to Dr MGR Medical University; students had been protesting

Published: 29th January 2021 06:27 AM 

Students of Omandurar Medical College show their solidarity with the students of Rajah Muthiah Medical College in Chennai on Thursday 

 Jatin R

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday issued an order taking over Rajah Muthiah Medical College in Chidambaram under the State Department for Health and Family Welfare. The college, which was affiliated to Annamalai University, will now be managed by and affiliated to the Dr MGR Medical University, Tamil Nadu.

The transfer assumes significance as students from the college have been on a sit-in protest on campus for over six weeks. They have demanded that the college reduce the fees, emphasising that it is more than that of other government medical colleges. Even as the college management shut the campus and asked students to vacate the hostels, the students continued their protests outside. Some even mounted a makeshift kitchen to feed their peers taking part in the protest.

Rajah Muthiah Medical College includes Rani Meyyammai College of Nursing and Rajah Muthiah Dental College and Hospital, both of which will be taken over as well. Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, in his Budget speech last year, said the colleges would be taken over by the government and be known as the Government Medical College, Cuddalore.

As per the government order, the property on which the college and its premises are located is worth Rs 249.99 crore. The institution has 332 teaching staff and 1,426 non-teaching staff. A total of 2,293 students are enrolled. The Health and Family Welfare Department will issue an order on the status of the staff, seats, the fee structure of the college, and its affiliation to Dr MGR Medical University.

சுகாதாரத் துறையின் கீழ் ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி அரசாணை வெளியீடு

சுகாதாரத் துறையின் கீழ் ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி அரசாணை வெளியீடு

29.01.2021

சென்னை: சிதம்பரம் ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவக் கல்லூரியை கடலூா் மாவட்ட அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லூரியாக மாற்றி மக்கள் நல்வாழ்வுத் துறை உத்தரவு பிறப்பித்துள்ளது.

இதன் மூலம் தமிழக சுகாதாரத் துறையின் கீழ் இந்த மருத்துவக்கல்லூரி கொண்டுவரப்பட்டுள்ளது.

சிதம்பரம் ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி மற்றும் மருத்துவமனையை அரசே ஏற்று நடத்தும் என அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது. ஆனால், அரசுக் கல்லூரியில் வசூலிக்கப்படும் கட்டணம்போல் இல்லாமல், அங்கு தனியாா் சுயநிதி கல்லூரிகளை விட கூடுதல் கட்டணம் வசூலிப்பதாகப் புகாா் எழுந்தது. இதனைக் கண்டித்து சிதம்பரம் ராஜா அண்ணாமலை அரசு மருத்துவக்கல்லூரியைச் சோந்த மருத்துவ மாணவா்கள் கடந்த 50 நாள்களுக்கும் மேலாகப் பல்வேறு போராட்டங்களில் ஈடுபட்டு வருகின்றனா். அவா்களுக்கு ஆதரவு தெரிவித்து தமிழ்நாட்டின் பல்வேறு மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி மாணவா்களும் போராட்டத்தைத் தொடா்ந்து நடத்தி வந்தனா். இந்த விவகாரத்தில் முதல்வா் தலையிட்டு உரிய தீா்வு காணவேண்டும் என்று மருத்துவ மாணவா்கள் வலியுறுத்தி வந்தனா்.

மருத்துவ மாணவா்களின் போராட்டம் காரணமாக, சிதம்பரம் ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி மறுதேதி குறிப்பிடப்படாமல் காலவரையின்றி மூடப்பட்டது. போராட்டத்தைக் கைவிட வலியுறுத்தி சிதம்பரம் ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி மாணவா்களுடன் அண்ணாமலை பல்கலைக்கழக துணைவேந்தா் நடத்திய பேச்சுவாா்த்தையும் தோல்வியில் முடிந்தது.

இந்தநிலையில், உயா்கல்வித்துறையின் கீழ் செயல்பட்டு வந்த ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி, இனி சுகாதார மற்றும் மக்கள் நல்வாழ்வுத்துறையின்கீழ் செயல்படும் என தமிழக அரசு அரசாணை வெளியிட்டுள்ளது.

அரசாணை விவரம்: இது குறித்து உயா்கல்வித் துறை முதன்மை செயலாளா் அபூா்வா வெளியிட்டுள்ள அரசாணையில் கூறப்பட்டிருப்பதாவது: அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கழகத்துடன் இணைந்த மருத்துவக் கல்லூரியை அரசே ஏற்று, கடலூா் அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லூரியாக நடத்தும் என துணை முதல்வா் ஓ.பன்னீா்செல்வம் பட்ஜெட் அறிவிப்பின் போது தெரிவித்தாா்.

அவா் தெரிவித்தபடி, ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி மற்றும் மருத்துவமனை, ராணி மெய்யம்மை நா்சிங் கல்லூரி மற்றும் ராஜா முத்தையா பல் மருத்துவக் கல்லூரி மற்றும் மருத்துவமனை ஆகியவை சுகாதாரம் மற்றும் குடும்ப நலத்துறையிடம் ஒப்படைக்கப்படுகிறது. எனவே இது கடலூா் அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லூரியாக கருதப்படும்.

கல்லூரி ஒப்படைக்கப்பட்டதன் விளைவாக, இந்த கல்லூரிகளில் இருக்கும் 113.21 ஏக்கா் பரப்பளவு நிலம், அனைத்து அசையும் மற்றும் அசையா சொத்துகளும் சுகாதாரத்துறையின் வசம் ஒப்படைக்கப்படும்.

இது அண்ணாமலை பல்கலைக்கழகத்திடம் இருந்து எடுத்துக் கொள்ளப்படுவதால் அதற்கான தகுந்த இழப்பீட்டை வழங்க வேண்டும். அந்த இழப்பீடு கூடுதல் மானியங்களுடன் சரிசெய்து கொள்ளப்பட வேண்டும். ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவக் கல்லூரியை 16 கிலோ மீட்டா் எல்லையில் இருந்து விலக்குவதற்கான திருத்தத்தை அண்ணாமலை பல்கலைக்கழக சட்டத்தில் கொண்டு வரவேண்டும்.

நிதித் துறையிடம் இருந்து உத்தரவு பெறப்பட்டதும், தற்போதுள்ள ஊழியா்கள் நிலை, இடங்கள் நிரப்புதல் மற்றும் கட்டண அமைப்பு, டாக்டா் எம்.ஜி.ஆா். மருத்துவப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்துடன் இணைப்பது போன்ற பிரச்சினைகள் குறித்து சுகாதாரத்துறை சாா்பில் தனியாக உத்தரவு பிறப்பிக்கப்படும் என அதில் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

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Disclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by Dailyhunt. Publisher: Dinamani

ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவ கல்லுாரி: அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியாக மாற்றம்

DINAMALAR

ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவ கல்லுாரி: அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியாக மாற்றம்

Added : ஜன 28, 2021 23:02

சென்னை:அண்ணாமலை பல்கலையுடன் இணைந்த, ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியை, கடலுார் மாவட்டத்திற்கான, அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியாக மாற்ற, அரசாணை வெளியிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.

'அண்ணாமலை பல்கலையுடன் இணைந்த, ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியை, அரசே ஏற்று, கடலுார் மாவட்டத்திற்கான அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியாக்கப்படும்' என, 2020 - 21ம் ஆண்டிற்கான பட்ஜெட்டில், துணை முதல்வர் பன்னீர்செல்வம் அறிவித்தார்.

அதன்படி, ராஜா முத்தையா கல்லுாரியை, அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியாக மாற்ற, அண்ணாமலை பல்கலை பதிவாளர், சுகாதாரத் துறைக்கு கருத்துரு அனுப்பினார். அதை ஏற்று,ராஜா முத்தையா மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியை, சுகாதாரத்துறையிடம் ஒப்படைத்து, கடலுார் மாவட்ட அரசு மருத்துவ கல்லுாரியாக மாற்ற, அரசு அனுமதி அளித்துள்ளது. இதற்கான அரசாணை வெளியிடப்பட்டு உள்ளது. இதற்கான நடவடிக்கைகளை, உடனடியாக எடுக்கவும் உத்தரவிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Copy-paste tweets ‘used to mfg opinion’ during march

Copy-paste tweets ‘used to mfg opinion’ during march

New Delhi:29.01.2021

At least a dozen profiles posing as journalists posted the exact message, word for word, on Twitter on Tuesday, claiming that they had been harassed and abused during the farmers’ tractor march on Republic Day. This copypaste technique, experts say, is commonly used to create a false narrative and manufacture opinions.

“I saw the violence by these so-called farmers while reporting today. I have never seen this in my journalism career. Farmers tried to attack me with a tractor and a sword. Obscene acts and abuses were made. My mic was snatched and almost destroyed. Is this a farmer organization or some other organization?” the tweet read in Hindi. It was shared by several handles.

TOI has screenshots of these accounts and shared them with Twitter. Twitter also did not respond to TOI’s questionnaire. TNN

Maha best state in justice delivery again, TN a close second: Report

Maha best state in justice delivery again, TN a close second: Report

Swati.Deshpande@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:29.01.2021

Maharashtra ranks first in the second edition of the India Justice Report (IJR) 2020, that judges states on delivery of justice to people. Released on Thursday, the report said Maharashtra retained its number one position among 18 large and mid-sized states — each with a population of over one crore — followed by Tamil Nadu, which improved its ranking from its previously third position in 2019, and Telangana.

The IJR tracked the rise and fall in each state’s structural and financial capacity to deliver justice, using the latest available government figures from budgets, human resources, infrastructure, workload, and diversity across police, judiciary, prisons and legal aid in 25 states.

Telangana showed the highest improvement in justice delivery and ranking as it rose to the third position from the 11th it held in 2019 while Kerala slipped from the second position in 2019 to fifth in 2020. The list of seven small states (population of less than one crore each) was topped by Tripura (2019: seventh), followed by Sikkim (2019: second) and Goa (2019: third).

The report, an initiative of Tata Trusts in collaboration with Centre for Social Justice, Common Cause, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, DAKSH, Tiss-Prayas, Vidhi and How India Live 2020, highlights stark conclusions when aggregated for an all-India picture. The report said, “Two-thirds of the country’s prisoners are yet to be convicted” or acquitted. In the last 25 years, only 1.5 crore people have received legal aid, though 80% of the population is entitled to it, and women comprise only 29% of judges in India.

Maharashtra saw a decline in women police officers — less than 10% are women — but a rise in women overall. Gujarat was the only state that saw a rise in women’s employment across departments of police, prisons and judiciary in 2020.

“In 27 states, the share of women judges in subordinate courts has improved. However, in high courts, the increase is seen less, and the glass ceiling remains,” said the report. Andhra Pradesh has the highest percentage of women HC judges at 19%, followed by Haryana with 18.2%, and Tamil Nadu in the third place with 16.7%.

Eleven out of the 18 large and mid-sized states have more than 33% women in the subordinate judiciary as judges; four states (Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Punjab) have more than 40%.

Times View:

That 2/3rds of the prisoners are undertrials is a telling commentary on hiw slowly the wheels of justice grind in India. These detainees are trapped in a helpless limbo. This is a human rights issue. Such a high number of undertrials only highlights the crying need for speeding up the judicial process, which translates into more judges and more benches.

Man can’t commit rape on his own without scuffle: HC

Man can’t commit rape on his own without scuffle: HC

Acquits Accused Sentenced To 10 Years RI Under Pocso Act

Vaibhav Ganjapure TNN

Nagpur:29.01.2021

The Nagpur bench of Bombay high court acquitted a man of rape charges while ruling that he alone cannot commit a sexual act without any scuffle. He was accused of raping a 15-yearold girl.

“It seems highly impossible for a single man to gag a survivor’s mouth, remove her and his clothes, and perform the forcible sexual act, without any scuffle. Had it been a case of forcible intercourse, there would have been a scuffle. Medical evidence also doesn’t support the survivor’s case, as no injuries from a scuffle could be seen,” Justice Pushpa Ganediwala, who was made HC’s permanent judge by the Supreme Court collegium on January 20, held.

On March 14, 2019, petitioner Suraj Kasarkar (26), who belongs to Yavatmal, was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment by the Yavatmal sessions court after being convicted for a rape of the minor. He was also convicted for criminal trespass for having entered her home. He was charged under Sections 376(1) and 451 of IPC along with Section 4 of Pocso Act. The complaint against him was lodged by the survivor on July 26, 2013.

Kasarkar challenged the trial court’s verdict in HC, contending that it wasn’t rape but a consensual act and the survivor lodged the complaint after her mother found him fleeing her house. He also said that the girl was “habituated to sexual acts”. Additional public prosecutor MJ Khan argued that the survivor couldn’t have given a false deposition.

Justice Ganediwala observed that the testimonies of the girl and her mother could not prove that she was below 18 years when the offence was committed. Moreover, in her cross-examination, she admitted that she declared her age as 15 years in the FIR on the mother’s insistence. Even the birth certificate submitted in court isn’t in the specified format and couldn’t prove the survivor’s age. “The defence of consensual physical relations does appear probable. The accused could bring on record probable doubt with regard to consensual relation. The girl admitted that she wouldn’t have lodged a complaint if her mother hadn’t arrived,” the judge said.

Quoting settled law in such cases, Justice Ganediwala added that stricter the sentence, stricter proof is required. “Sole testimony of prosecutrix in rape cases is sufficient to fix criminal liability against accused. However, considering the sub-standard quality of the girl’s testimony, it would be grave injustice to send the petitioner behind bars for 10 years. The prosecution miserably failed to fix criminal liability of rape against him by criminal trespassing in the survivor’s house,” she said, while quashing the sessions court order convicting the accused.

Justice Ganediwala said that considering the sub-standard quality of the girl’s testimony, it would be grave injustice to send the petitioner behind bars for 10 years

HC: Holding hand, unzipping before girl not sex assault

HC: Holding hand, unzipping before girl not sex assault

Order By Judge Who Ruled In Groping Case

Vaibhav.Ganjapure TNN

Nagpur:29.01.2021

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court on Thursday reversed the conviction of a 50-year-old man under Pocso Act for allegedly molesting a 5-year-old girl ruling that holding her hands and unzipping his pants in front of her “cannot be defined as sexual assault”. The order was given by Justice Pushpa Ganediwala, whose recent ruling that groping a girl’s breasts without removing her clothes was not sexual assault as there was no skinto-skin contact was stayed by the apex court following an uproar.

“The acts of ‘holding the hands of survivor’, or ‘opening zip of the pant’, in the opinion of this court, doesn’t fit in the definition of ‘sexual assault’,” said Justice Ganediwala, who was appointed district judge in 2007 and elevated as HC’s additional judge in February 2019. She was made permanent judge of HC by the Supreme Court collegium on January 21.

“Considering the nature of offence and sentence prescribed, the aforesaid acts aren’t sufficient for fixing criminal liability on accused for alleged offence of ‘aggravated sexual assault’. At most, the minor offence punishable under Section 354-A (1)(I) of IPC (outraging modesty) read with Section 12 of the POCSO Act is proved against the petitioner,” she added, before quashing charges under Sections 8 and 10 of POCSO Act slapped against Libnus Kujur from Gadchiroli and maintaining conviction under outraging of modesty.

On January 19, Ganediwala had held that groping a 12-yearold’s breasts without removing her clothes wasn’t a ‘sexual assault’ as there was no skin-to skin contact between them. This verdict triggered an uproar in the country with women rights’ organizations protesting. On Wednesday, a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Sharad Bobde stayed the verdict after attorney general KK Venugopal made a request to the apex court, warning that it may have wider ramifications and set a dangerous precedent. In the latest case, Kujur had challenged the Special POCSO court verdict of October 5 last year, where he was awarded five years rigorous imprisonment (RI). The case against him was filed on the basis of a complaint lodged by the girl’s mother on February 12, 2018, accusing him of holding hands of her elder daughter, unzipping his pant in front of her and asking her to join him in bed, when both parents were away from home for work.

The case against him was filed on the basis of a complaint lodged by the girl’s mother on February 12, 2018, accusing him of holding hands of her elder daughter, unzipping his pant in front of her and asking her to join him in bed, when both parents were away from home for work

Stay on inquiry proceedings against ex-VC

Stay on inquiry proceedings against ex-VC

Bengaluru:29.01.2021

The high court has granted interim stay on the inquiry proceedings initiated against S Japhet, former vice-chancellor of the newly founded Bengaluru City University.

Justice M Nagaprasanna noted that prima facie, under section 28 of the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000, the syndicate does not have the power to constitute a oneman committee to conduct an inquiry against a former vicechancellor.

Japhet had challenged the December 28, 2020 notification and the inquiry notice issued on January 18, 2021. The next hearing is on February 15.

Japhet was appointed VC in 2017 and demitted office in November 2020. Thereafter, the syndicate resolved to set up the committee to look into various works entrusted to contractors during his tenure. TNN

Dubai reduces validity of RT-PCR tests to 72 hours

Dubai reduces validity of RT-PCR tests to 72 hours

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mangaluru: 29.01.2021

Travellers to UAE now have to produce a negative RT-PCR test conducted 72 hours prior to departure, after authorities reduced the timeframe from the previous 96 hours. All those with work permits and tourists, barring UAE nationals, must present a valid negative Covid 19 RT-PCR test certificate on arrival.

The mandatory 72-hour time frame begins from the time the swab is collected for the test. Authorities also said flights from January 31 to February 2 from Mangaluru will land in Sharjah instead of Dubai, due to technical issues and cautioned travellers to follow the 72-hour window since they have not received any communication from Sharjah authorities regarding test validity.

The new protocols also state passengers arriving in Dubai will be required to take an RT-PCR test on arrival regardless of the country they are coming from. Also, arrivals from some countries, depending on the Covid situation there, may be required to undergo additional tests when landing in Dubai, according to Air India Express officials.

AI Express again cautioned passengers to present original test reports (printed form), from a governmentapproved lab. All passengers are also required to download the Covid-19 Dubai smart app and generate a QR code on their devices.

Learning loss: Govt teachers go the extra mile

Learning loss: Govt teachers go the extra mile

Sruthy Susan Ullas & Farheen Hussain TNN

Bengaluru:29.01.2021

From the time the nationwide lockdown was imposed, educationists had warned of serious learning loss in children if schools remain closed for a long time. With children back on campuses now — regular classes for grades 10 and 12 and Vidyagama sessions for grades 6-9 — those fears have come true.

When asked by the principal of his BBMP-run school, Kishan (name changed), a class 10 pupil, said: “I can’t recall the multiplication table for three.” The principal told TOI: “Learning loss is real. We have to teach them from scratch. Even before Covid, we had to put in a lot of effort and things have gotten worse since the lockdown.”

The school has now assigned a mentor for each child. The principal said that while the lockdown made it worse, the problem began because of the no-detention policy. “Last year too, there were no exams and all students were promoted,” the principal said.

Other schools too are taking extra measures to bridge the learning gap. Teachers say allowing schools to function for a full day will help complete the syllabus and schools can then start revisions.

Raju B, principal, Sir M Visvesvaraya BBMP Public School and Composite PU College, said students were unable to follow lessons when they returned to schools. He said most students had either returned to their villages or were busy with other things and did not have the time to study. “We have been teaching them from the first chapter and we make sure to go back to topics whenever a student asks,” he said.

The loss, teachers point out, is mainly in maths and science, especially with formulae and multiplication tables. “Unlike parents in private schools, our children do not get help in academics from their parents,” said Jayalakshmi G, a teacher in the higher primary section of a government school in Kalkere. “Many of them have had no association with studies in these 10 months. It’s out duty to start at the beginning with them.”

The head mistress of a government high school in East Bengaluru, said: “With such a long gap, we did expect children to forget what they learnt in previous years. Our one hour class is now divided into two: Thirty minutes is spent on refreshing portions from the previous years while the other 30 goes into teaching competencies of this year.”

But children being children, teachers believe they will learn fast. Most lessons are taught through activities. “They quickly grasp and recall. That’s a relief,” said Sharadamma, head mistress, Government Higher Primary School, K Channasandra.

Students too are thrilled they are back on track. Gautham C, a II PUC commerce student in Sir M Visvesvaraya BBMP Public School and Composite PU College, said returning to the campus has been the best thing that has happened. “We had lost touch with everything and were worried about facing exams. It’s a relief that schools reopened,” he said.

Man orders mobile for wife online, gets 2 soaps

Man orders mobile for wife online, gets 2 soaps

Vadodara:29.01.2021

Viral Brahmbhatt wanted to gift his wife a mobile phone on her birthday. But when he opened the parcel delivered to his house on January 23, he was shocked. The e-commerce giant sent two bars of washing soaps instead of the phone.

Brahmbhatt, a resident of Jetalpur Road, has given an application for complaint at JP Road police station against the online retail chain and another Ahmedabad-based firm for cheating him.

“Brahmbhatt has video recording of the entire incident. As the packet had many layers, he patiently opened them but found two soaps inside. This amounts to cheating,” said advocate Arpita Joshi, Brahmbhatt’s lawyer.

She has also sent a legal notice to the delivery firm on behalf of Brahmbhatt detailing the incident. TNN