Medical counseling committee...Notice 26.05.2018

Chennai: Paperless tickets a big hit among rail passengers

To boost mobile payments, SR offering five per cent bonus for wallet recharges.



Published: 25th May 2018 03:28 AM

 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Following an overwhelming patronage among rail passengers for booking unreserved tickets through UTS mobile app, Southern Railway has decided to offer five per cent bonus for R wallet recharge value to promote the digital payment.The bonus offer which came into effect since Thursday will enable all mobile app users to book the tickets for more than the money they recharged in their account.

This means, when a passenger recharges his or her mobile app R-wallet for Rs 1,000, the wallet account will be credited with Rs 1,050 and the person can book tickets for value up to Rs 1,050.To reduce hassles to passengers in getting the tickets at station counters, paperless ticketing facility through UTS mobile app, which was available only in Chennai Suburban was extended across SR wallet rechargeouthern railway from April 14. The move enabled long distance passengers, who go from Chennai to Vijayawada, Ongole, Salem, Tirupati, Erode, Tiruchy and Madurai, to travel without paper tickets.

“Between April 14 and May 14, about 11.90 lakhs passengers travelled with 2.08 lakh unreserved tickets purchased through mobile app. As on May 23, on an average about 50,000 passengers patronised the app a day,” said Priyamvada Viswanathan, Principal Chief Commercial Manager, Southern railway.During an interaction with reporters at railway headquarters in Chennai, she said railways is planning to increase the sale of unreserved tickets up to 10 per cent through mobile app. “Railways sells unreserved tickets for 20 lakh passengers a day. We are planning to increase the ticket sale to enable about two lakh more passengers to travel a day through mobile app,” she added.

Railway board decided to provide five percent bonus for R recharge value that is aimed at promoting the paperless ticket travel among general class passengers. Though the mobile app is well received among short-distance travellers, many long-distance passengers are reluctant to travel with paperless e-ticket fearing that if their mobiles get drained, they will be treated as ticketless passengers.

“In case passengers are unable to show their e-tickets in their mobile phone for various reasons, TTEs have been provided with gadgets to authenticate the ticket details with the help of passenger’s mobile number. In such incidents, passengers will not be treated as ticketless travellers,” added Viswanathan.
A press release said users can recharge their R wallet either at any unreserved counter at stations or by using their credit and debit cards in the app itself. “Recharge can also be done through the website www.utsonmobile.indianrail.gov.in. When recharge of R wallet is done through UTS counters, no extra service charges are levied and the entire amount is credited to the R wallet account,” the release said.

Travel made easy

To reduce hassles, paperless ticketing facility through UTS mobile app, which was available only in Chennai Suburban, was extended across Southern Railway from April 14

Railways is planning to increase the sale of unreserved tickets by up to 10 per cent through UTS mobile app

Southern Railway is offering a five per cent bonus for R wallet recharge value to promote digital payment. This means, when a passenger recharges for Rs 1,000, her wallet account will be credited with Rs 1,050

Chennai: Students’ shift to CBSE shows up in exam halls

10 per cent fall in number of students indicates rising preference for central board syllabus with eye on competitive exams



Published: 24th May 2018 02:45 AM |  



Schoolgirls checking their Class X public examination results at Nirmala School in Madurai on Wednesday | k k sundar

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The number of students,who took Class 10 State Board exams, has declined by 10 per cent from 11.19 lakh students in 2013 to 10.01 lakh this year. This hints that there is a prominent migration of students to CBSE. The Central government data reveals that the number of students, who wrote the CBSE Class 10 exams, tripled between 2010 and 2016.

The rate of decline has increased rapidly over the last couple of years because of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). This also means that a lesser number of CBSE students migrate to the State Board after completing Class 10.Ever since the introduction of the Tamil Nadu Uniform System of School Education Act, 2010 or ‘Samacheer Kalvi’, many private matriculation schools have turned into CBSE schools, observed the principal of a private CBSE school in Chennai.

“Schools had the option of either adopting the State Board syllabus or moving to CBSE standard. This was the time when the number of CBSE schools in Chennai increased,” the principal said.This migration has created a perception that students have to study hard to crack competitive exams, opines Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary, State Platform for Common School System. “Since NEET came into the picture, students are studying only to crack these Central competitive exams. Which good educational system will motivate students to study only to crack exams?” he asked.

The School Education department too has revamped both syllabus and question paper pattern to ensure that students can crack these competitive exams. “We want even State Board students to have an equal capacity to crack competitive exams. We’ve been planning this revamp since 2011,” said Vasundradevi, Director of Government Examinations.

Refreshment seller shines among his peers
Tiruchy: Fourteen-year-old K Chandru (pic), who once sold refreshments near playgrounds to generate extra money for his family, has now emerged first in school. He scored 374 out of 500 among 17 others rescued by the Child Labour Elimination and Effective Rehabilitation Society (CHEERS) in the district. The boy, the eldest of five children, had to bear the family’s financial burden. “My family was in debt and I had no better option than to discontinue my studies and work,” Chandru said.

His father, A Kumar (37), is a painter who gets jobs off and on. Chandru’s mother, K Fathima (35), is a sanitation worker in a city-based college. “Due to my poverty, my parents did not force me to go to school,” Chandru said. CHEERS officials spotted the boy working during a survey in the locality. Soon, he was admitted to a special training centre (STC) near Khajapettai and then to R C Boys Higher Secondary School near here. He said that his parents were striving hard to make ends meet after he was sent to school.

Financier, relative kidnapped; released after paying Rs 33 lakh in Chennai
Accused befriended victim on pretext of securing biz loan.



Published: 26th May 2018 03:13 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: A city-based financier and his relative were allegedly abducted by a four-member gang and were released after they paid the abductors Rs 33 lakh on Thursday.Police said C Mohan of West Mambalam runs a finance company along with four others at Vadapalani. On April 23, one Saravana Kumar approached him on the pretext of seeking a loan of Rs 20 lakh for a medical equipment manufacturing unit on OMR.

Saravana Kumar kept meeting Mohan often. “On Thursday, Mohan and his relative Manickam decided to visit the unit before granting the loan. Saravana Kumar offered to drive the duo in his car. He drove towards Tambaram claiming there was heavy traffic on OMR road. As the car reached Mappedu near Selaiyur, three unidentified men, who were said to be associates of Saravana Kumar, were waiting in another car,” said the investigation officer quoting Mohan.

Mohan, said in his complaint that the men asked the trio to shift cars and all of them were driven towards Tambaram. “A few minutes later, the four men threatened Mohan at knife-point and later demanded `1 crore and allegedly starting attacking him. After a while, the men settled for `33 lakh,” the officer said. Later, Mohan, was forced to call his staff at the company and asked them to bring `33 lakh and give it to another person who was waiting at Koyambedu.

“After the money was handed over, the gang took away around 28 sovereigns of gold jewellery and two mobile phones from the financier and his relative, blindfolded them and dropped them at Tambaram,” the officer said. The two reached home in an autorickshaw. On Friday, they filed a complaint with Vadapalani police. A special team has been formed to nab the culprits.

Early in May, a 23-year-old man Rajesh, was allegedly kidnapped by a five-member gang at Uthiramerur owing to previous enmity for a ransom of `15 lakh. However, the kidnappers abandoned Rajesh near a forest in Tiruvannamalai after withdrawing `15,000 using his debit card. Later, two men were arrested. In December 2017, M Ribaiudin (29) who owns a shop for manufacturing jewel bags and wholesale leather supply in MKB Nagar was kidnapped after he failed to return the money he had borrowed from one Abdul. However, police rescued him and arrested three men. In September 2017, a six-member gang was arrested for abducting a 60-year-old businessman Peer Mohammed from Tondiarpet and demanding a ransom of `80 lakh. They let the man off after getting `3 lak

Chennai: 68-year-old chasing thief killed in accident

Sexagenarian, riding without helmet, loses control of bike after jumping over a speed breaker; hunt on for suspect.



Published: 27th May 2018 04:40 AM | 



By Express News Service

CHENNAI: A 68-year-old man died after he tried to catch a man who snatched his bag, a few metres from the city police Commissioner’s office on Friday night.Initially, the Anna Square traffic investigation police registered an accident case against the victim, identified as M Rangarajan, a native of Tiruchy. “Rangarajan was riding a two-wheeler without a helmet and did not notice the speed breaker installed in front of the Commissioner’s office while chasing the snatcher. He lost control of the vehicle and fell down. Since, he was not wearing a helmet, he sustained severe head injuries and died on the spot,” said a police source.

An investigation revealed that Rangarajan’s bag was snatched by a person and while trying to chase the suspect he fell off the bike and died. The victim had come to the city on Friday morning by train.
“He would usually purchase gold bars from Sowcarpet and take them to Tiruchy to make ornaments and deliver them back to the shops in Chennai. On Friday, he had come to Chennai to collect the gold bars from Sowcarpet. While returning to Tiruchy, he was driving a two-wheeler to reach Egmore. He was to have handed over the bike to a person waiting at the station. As he was nearing his destination, an unidentified man snatched his bag and escaped,”said the officer. Rangarajan chased him on his bike, but failed to notice the speed breaker and fell over it.

Police posted at the Commissioner’s office rescued him and rushed him to a private hospital where they declared him ‘brought dead’. His body was later moved to the government hospital for autopsy.
Police have launched a search for the suspect. They have also collected CCTV camera footage from the nearby buildings to trace the suspect. Police said Rangarajan is survived by his wife and son.
This is not the first crime being reported near the Commissioner’s office. In March, a tea stall owner Tamil Selvan, was robbed at knife-point by a duo. However, they were nabbed by policemen who were on patrol duty.

In August last year, a three-member gang took away a motorbike from an MTC bus driver on EVR Periyar Salai (Poonamallee High Road), near the police commissioner’s office. The victim Krishnamoorthy, was on his way to work, when a gang escaped with his bike in a case of attention diversion.
In November 2016, a 17-year-old boy along with two friends snatched a handbag from a woman on the same street. A police constable who was on his way to work caught the boy after a brief chase.

Now, you can take direct metro from Airport to Chennai Central

Travelling in the city has just got easier. Now, you can board a metro from Airport, zip through the city and reach Chennai Central on the same air conditioned coach.



Published: 26th May 2018 03:14 AM 
 

CM Edappadi K Palaniswami, Union ministers Hardeep Singh Puri, Pon Radhakrishnan and Deputy CM O Panneerselvam taking a metro ride on Friday | D sampathkumar

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Travelling in the city has just got easier. Now, you can board a metro from Airport, zip through the city and reach Chennai Central on the same air conditioned coach. It will halt at some of the busiest transport hubs of the city – Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus, Egmore railway station and Central, where one can link with suburban trains. The metro that was not running to its capacity is expected to see a surge in footfall.

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Housing And Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri flagged off the services in the 2.7km stretch between Nehru Park and Central and 4.5km from Saidapet to AG — DMS on Friday. They also inaugurated Egmore, Central, Saidapet, Nandanam, Teynampet and AG — DMS metro stations.

The most convenient and hassle free metro train connectivity to Central and Egmore - two busiest train stations, is expected to reduce congestion on roads. The Egmore and Central stations handle about 1.20 lakh passengers a day. The two stations have daily trains to all major cities across the country.

The chief minister also announced that metro line between Light House and Poonamallee via Vadapalani and Porur is being considered under the Chennai Metro Rail Project Phase II.He said the government has granted in principle approval to develop three stretches at an estimated cost of `76, 961 crore for about 107.77km under Chennai Metro Rail Project Phase II.

Alliance only in Vidhana Soudha, not in election, says JD(S) chief Deve Gowda

Former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda on Saturday gave some anxious moments to the new coalition government in Karnataka.



Published: 27th May 2018 01:45 AM  


Former PM Deve Gowda (File | EPS)

 By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda on Saturday gave some anxious moments to the new coalition government in Karnataka when he said his party’s alliance with the Congress is limited to the Vidhana Soudha and he will do all he can to ensure JD(S) victory in an election.

“Yes, we are in a coalition government, but my party is not for sale. I have to ensure the survival of JD(S),” Gowda said while campaigning for the party candidate in Rajarajeshwari Nagar assembly constituency, where polling will be held on Monday.

“Alliance is only within Vidhana Soudha. It is my responsibility to ensure my party’s victory,” Gowda told supporters during a road show in Jalahalli locality. The election in the constituency was deferred after thousands of voter ID cards were found hoarded in an apartment.

After joining hands to form a government in the state, JD(S) and Congress had held negotiations to avoid a contest between the two in the constituency but had failed to reach an understanding.

On the last day of campaigning for the coveted seat, Gowda went all out to seek votes for JD(S) candidate Ramachandrappa. The 85-year-old, who began his roadshow from Chowdeshwari Nagar in an open vehicle, sought votes in his son and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s name. Incidentally, Congress candidate Munirathna also sought votes in Kumaraswamy’s name. “The Congress made Kumaraswamy the Chief Minister. Those supporting JD(S) should vote for Congress,” Munirathna said.

The fight is between Congress and JD(S) in the constituency despite B S Yeddyurappa campaigning for BJP’s Muniraju Gowda.

With a significant Vokkaliga population, Rajarajeshwari Nagar is JD(S)’s best chance to add to its tally of city seats (it has 2 seats while the Congress has 13 and BJP 11).

While the JD(S) is undecided on whether it will fight the election in Jayanagar constituency, where the polling will be held on June 11, Rajarajeshwari Nagar is a grudge fight for the party.

“Munirathna had assaulted some JD(S) corporators when he was MLA and that is why this contest is important for the party,” a JD(S) leader told TNIE.

Meanwhile, a city court on Saturday directed the police to include Sections 420, 465, 468, 471, 171F, 171F of the IPC in the case related to the seizure of voter ID cards in which Munirathna is an accused.

The complainant, Rakesh, had moved court after police had booked Munirathna under bailable sections. The court, on May 11, had directed the police to include additional sections in the FIR but the Jalahalli police had written to the court seeking permission to add sections. On Saturday, the court reiterated its directive