Rapid PCR test for international fliers at Chennai airport to give Covid report in 13 minutes

Rapid PCR test for international fliers at Chennai airport to give Covid report in 13 minutes

The RT-PCR test could be a major relief for Dubai-bound passengers, who were asked to undergo a rapid RT-PCR test four hours prior to departure.

Published: 28th July 2021 03:41 PM 

By C Shivakumar

Express News Service

CHENNAI: In a bid to ensure safer international travel, Chennai airport will be conducting Covid rapid PCR tests for outbound international passengers at Chennai airport.

This comes after the Tamil Nadu government gave the clearance to Chennai airport to conduct the tests on Tuesday. Chennai airport director Dr Sharad Kumar said that it will take a maximum of 30 minutes for passengers to register and take tests. The results for the test are available within 13 minutes.

The RT-PCR test could be a major relief for Dubai-bound passengers, who were asked to undergo a rapid RT-PCR test four hours prior to departure, and they would be able to travel only if they test negative for Covid-19.

Once the passenger gets tested and is off to Dubai, he can travel to Australia, Europe, or the even United States, travel industry sources said.

It is learnt that tests will be carried out as per the US-FDA-approved equipment as per ICMR guidelines. The notification of the test results and follow-up measures shall comply with the ICMR guidelines and the guidelines of the Tamil Nadu government.

Chennai airport has a test facility 'Hind labs' set by HLL Life Care at Chennai Airport. It is learnt that HLL has selected Abbot ID Now based system to provide Rapid PCR for the passengers and the equipment is installed. Indian Council for Medical Research has also given the clearance to conduct the tests.

BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute begins BA public policy course

BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute begins BA public policy course

BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology on Wednesday launched a BA Public Policy programme.

Published: 29th July 2021 05:26 AM 

Programme Director Illanchezhian, Additional registrar Dr. Raja Hussain, Registrar Dr. Azad, Vice- Chancellor Peer Mohamed, retired IAS officer Santosh Babu, and Shashikanth Senthil IAS, during the br

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology on Wednesday launched a BA Public Policy programme. The course has been designed for students who want to obtain a degree as well as prepare for the civil services exams. It aims to bridge the gap between pursuing degree and the extra time taken to prepare for the civil services, the college authorities said.

Students opting for the course will be mentored by serving and retired IAS/IPS/IFS officers as well as officers from the federal, State and local governments. The inclusion of NCC in the curriculum will also serve to fan the flames of patriotism as well as inculcate discipline in the students.

“The BA Public Policy programme aims to provide students with the transformative opportunity to gain academic knowledge and the analytical skills that are the hallmark of public servants. We hope to help our students inculcate a multifaceted approach to handle the complex challenges,” said Peer Mohamed, university vice-chancellor.

Along with officials of the university, retired IAS and IPS officials were also present on the occasion. “Becoming an IAS officer is the dream of many young Indians, and the sooner you make it, the more years you will have in the service of our nation. BSA Crescent’s BA Public Policy programme is so beautifully crafted, adhering to the demands of UPSC,” said Santhosh Babu, retired IAS.

The application process for the programme is under way at the institute. For admission or further queries, please visit www.crescent.education or call +91-9543277888.

Prosecute corrupt tax dept officials: Madras HC

Prosecute corrupt tax dept officials: Madras HC

The court passed the order while pointing out the failure on part of the department to collect tax dues pending since 2006.

Published: 29th July 2021 07:01 AM 

Madras High Court

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the Commercial Tax Department to prosecute its corrupt officials through Department of Vigilance and Anti Corruption (DVAC) for causing revenue loss to the State. The court also ordered verification of assets owned by them and their relatives. The court passed the order while pointing out the failure on part of the department to collect tax dues pending since 2006.

“If misconduct or otherwise is proved, then further actions are to be initiated to recover the loss of State revenue from those officials,” Justice S M Subramaniyam said in a July 20 order. The court passed the directions while allowing a writ petition from GE Govindaraj, who sought to quash a notice dated October 4, 2012 of the Assistant Commissioner in Arisipalayam Assessment Circle in Salem district. The notice sought to recover sales tax arrears for 2000-01 and 2001-02.

The judge noted that the authority had initiated action to recover the arrears after a lapse of 10 years, which was against TNGST Rules. The two authorities shall coordinate with DVAC by conducting frequent surprise raids to control the evil menace of corrupt activities of demand and acceptance of bribes or receipt of freebies from the business community across the State.

“If any such offences are identified then all actions, including criminal action, are to be initiated,” said the judge. The judge also directed them to issue suitable orders to all the authorities competent to verify the service records of the officials of the Commercial Tax Department and make a comparison with the actual assets of the family members as well as the declared assets in the service records and if any disproportionality of wealth is identified, all suitable actions are to be initiated under the Service Rules in force.

“They shall ensure that all long-pending cases regarding State revenue are reviewed periodically on a war footing and reports are collected and initiate speedy steps to protect the interest of State revenue, as it is the constitutional mandate and to protect the interest of the public at large,” said the bench.

NEET-UG: NTA gives clarity on exam and marking pattern

NEET-UG: NTA gives clarity on exam and marking pattern

Nearly two weeks after the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced changes to the paper pattern for the upcoming National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG), the authority on Monday clarified doubts of several candidates regarding the marking pattern

By Shreya Bhandary

PUBLISHED ON JUL 27, 2021 12:22 AM IST

Nearly two weeks after the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced changes to the paper pattern for the upcoming National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG), the authority on Monday clarified doubts of several candidates regarding the marking pattern.

“The test pattern of NEET-UG has been modified, and in every subject students will attempt 35 questions mandatorily and of the remaining 15, one should attempt only 10 questions. It is important that the candidates do not attempt more than 10 questions because only the first 10 attempted questions will be considered for evaluation/marking,” said the response shared by the official NTA email.

This is the first time since its inception that the exam pattern for NEET-UG has been changed.

Until 2020, the NEET-UG paper pattern consisted of 180 objective-type questions from physics, chemistry and biology (botany and zoology) that had to be answered on a specially designed sheet using a ballpoint pen only. Each correct answer gave students four marks and each wrong answer deducted one mark. According to NTA, the new paper pattern will comprise of two sections under each subject.

Section A will consist of 35 questions which students have to attempt compulsorily, and section B will consist of 15 questions from which the candidate can choose to attempt any 10 questions.

“As students have to choose and attempt only 10 out of the 15 questions, the utilisation of time will remain the same, thus clarifying that the total time given for the exam remains the same this year as well (sic),” stated NTA response.

“We are glad that NTA has reverted to our emails and specified the marking scheme, clearing all doubts in the minds of the aspirants. Many were confused about the change in paper pattern and this response from NTA has given much required relief to more than 1.5 million NEET aspirants,” said Ruiee Kapoor, parent and activist.

In a statement released earlier this month, NTA clarified that the changes were introduced keeping in mind the reduction of syllabus by various school education boards for their Class 12 students in 2020-21, considering the loss of academic time due to Covid-19.

“To rationalise the decision of reduction in the syllabus by various school education boards, NTA has taken the decision to provide choice in Section “B” for each of the four subjects,” clarified NTA.

பிச்சை எடுப்பதை தடை செய்ய முடியாது: உச்சநீதிமன்றம்

பிச்சை எடுப்பதை தடை செய்ய முடியாது: உச்சநீதிமன்றம்

Updated : ஜூலை 27, 2021 12:43 | Added : ஜூலை 27, 2021 12:40 |

புதுடில்லி: 'யாரும் விருப்பப்பட்டு பிச்சை எடுப்பதில்லை, வறுமையின் காரணமாகவே பிச்சை எடுக்கின்றனர்' எனக்கூறியுள்ள உச்சநீதிமன்றம், 'பிச்சை எடுப்பதை தடை விதிக்க முடியாது' என தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

கோவிட் பரவலைத் தடுக்கும் விதமாக போக்குவரத்து சந்திப்புகளிலும், சந்தைகளிலும், பொது இடங்களிலும் பிச்சை எடுப்பதற்கு பிச்சைக்காரர்களுக்கும், வீடற்றவர்களுக்கும் தடை விதிக்குமாறும், அவர்களுக்குப் புனர்வாழ்வு அளிக்க உத்தரவிடுமாறும் கோரி உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்தில் வழக்கு தொடரப்பட்டது. இந்த வழக்கு இன்று (ஜூலை 27) நீதிபதி சந்திரசூட் அமர்வு முன்பு விசாரணைக்கு வந்தது. அப்போது பிச்சை எடுப்பதற்கு தடை விதிக்க முடியாது என உச்சநீதிமன்றம் தெரிவித்துள்ளது

மேலும் நீதிபதிகள் கூறியதாவது: யாரும் விருப்பப்பட்டு பிச்சை எடுப்பதில்லை. வறுமையின் காரணமாகவே பிச்சை எடுக்கின்றனர். பிச்சை எடுப்பதை உயர் வர்க்கத்தின் கண்ணோட்டத்திலிருந்து பார்ப்பதை நாங்கள் விரும்பவில்லை. பிச்சை எடுப்பதற்காக மக்கள் வீதிகளில் இறங்குவது அவர்களின் அடிப்படை வாழ்வாதாரத்தைக் காட்டுகிறது. இது ஒரு சமூக, பொருளாதாரப் பிரச்னை. ஒரு உத்தரவால் இதை சரி செய்ய முடியாது. இவ்வாறு நீதிபதிகள் கூறினர். மேலும் "கோவிட் விவகாரத்தில் பிச்சைக்காரர்களுக்கும், வீடற்றவர்களுக்கும் மற்றவர்களைப் போலவே மருத்துவ வசதி பெற உரிமை இருக்கிறது," எனக்கூறிய நீதிபதிகள், இந்த வழக்கு தொடர்பாக பதிலளிக்குமாறு மத்திய அரசுக்கு உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளனர்.

சென்னை ரேஸ் கிளப் தலைவராக எம்ஏஎம்ஆர் முத்தையா தேர்வு

Published : 27 Jul 2021 07:09 am

சென்னை ரேஸ் கிளப் தலைவராக எம்ஏஎம்ஆர் முத்தையா தேர்வு

chennai-race-club

சென்னை ரேஸ் கிளப் தலைவராக தொழிலதிபர் எம்ஏஎம்ஆர் முத்தையா போட்டியின்றி தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளார். நேற்று முன்  தினம் நடைபெற்ற ஆண்டு பொதுக்கூட்டத்தில் அவர் கிளப்பின் தலைவர் மற்றும் மூத்த ஸ்டூவர்டாகத் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டார்.

தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட நிர்வாகக்குழு உறுப்பினர்கள் விவரம்:

எம்ஏஎம்ஆர் முத்தையா, அருண் அழகப்பன், சதுரங்க காந்த்ராஜ் உர்ஸ், டி.தேவநாதன் யாதவ், கே.கலியபெருமாள், எஸ்.பி. லட்சுமணன், பால் அந்தோணி, ஆர்எம். ராமசாமி, ரமேஷ் ரங்கராஜன், எம்.ரவி, ரஞ்ஜித் ஜேசுதாசன், எம்.செந்தில்நாதன், அபூர்வா வர்மா ஐஏஎஸ், பி.ஜோதி நிர்மலாசாமி ஐஏஎஸ்,குமார் ஜெயந்த் ஐஏஎஸ், எஸ்.கே.பிரபாகர் ஐஏஎஸ்.

ஸ்டூவர்ட்ஸ்: எம்.ஏ.எம்.ஆர். முத்தையா (மூத்த ஸ்டூவர்டு), அருண் அழகப்பன், சதுரங்க காந்தராஜ் உர்ஸ், டி. தேவநாதன் யாதவ், எம்.ரவி, ரமேஷ் ரங்கராஜன், அபூர்வா வர்மா ஐஏஎஸ்,பி.ஜோதி நிர்மலாசாமி ஐஏஎஸ்,குமார் ஜெயந்த் ஐஏஎஸ், ஸ்.கே.பிரபாகர் ஐ.ஏ.எஸ்.

முறையீட்டு குழு: பால் அந்தோணி (தலைவர்), எஸ்.பி. லட்சுமணன், ஆர்எம். ராமசாமி, ரஞ்ஜித் ஜேசுதாசன் மற்றும் கே.ஆர். முத்துக்கருப்பன்.

State pitches for UGC recognition for Rajendra varsity

State pitches for UGC recognition for Rajendra varsity

TNN | Jul 18, 2021, 01.42 PM IST

BHUBANESWAR: Rajendra University’s application for the grant of recognition, following its upgrade to a varsity, was rejected by the University Grants Commission (UGC) last year.

However, the matter came to light on Friday when the higher education department wrote a letter to the commission requesting it to re-examine the issue and grant the recognition to the university situated in Balangir district.

The institution had sought recognition according to Section 2(f) of the UGC Act. The commission provides financial assistance to eligible colleges, which are included in Section 2(f), and declared fit to receive central assistance (UGC grant) under Section 12 (B) of the UGC Act, 1956.

The commission had rejected the application for the recognition of the university in December last year saying, “As the university has been notified through a government notification and not established by an Act of the state legislature, it cannot be included in the list of universities established as per Section 2 (f) of the UGC Act, 1956.” In the letter to the UGC, higher education department’s secretary Saswat Mishra said, “It is legally and factually wrong to say that Rajendra University has not been established under any Act of the state legislature. The Odisha Universities Act, 1989 — a valid legislation of the state legislature — empowers the state government to establish new universities by way of notification.”

Mishra further said the government has created several other universities, including the Rama Devi Women’s University, the Fakir Mohan University and GM University Sambalpur under Section 32(1) of the Odisha Universities Act, 1989. Many of these universities have already got UGC recognition under Section 2 (f) of the UGC Act. Denying the same to Rajendra University defies logic, he added.

Rajendra University’s vice-chancellor Umaballava Mohapatra said, “We had applied for the recognition, but the UGC rejected it. According to the Odisha Universities Act, 1989, the state government may establish one or more new universities by altering the territorial jurisdiction of any of the existing universities by notification.”