Advance booking for Diwali air travel higher this August

Advance booking for Diwali air travel higher this August

Manju.V@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:29.08.2021

For the second year in a row, advance purchase bookings of air tickets for travel during Diwali holidays have been sluggish. But when compared to last August, bookings are significantly higher this year. While fares to destinations like Delhi, Goa, Cochin for October and November travel are currently cheap, those to Srinagar, Leh, Varanasi and Patna have begun their annual winter climb.

“Pre-pandemic around this time, early birds would be booking holidays for next year, summer. Diwali holiday bookings would be full, air fares would be high,’’ said Veena Patil of Veena World. “This year, we’ve been getting enquiries and bookings for travel next week, next month but not beyond,’’ she said.

Airfares reflect this trend, though with exceptions. For travel in November, during Diwali holidays, fares on flights from Mumbai to leisure destinations like Dehradun, Srinagar and Leh and then to highdemand 'visiting family/ friends’ destinations like Varanasi and Patna have begun a northward climb. But those to Delhi, Cochin and even Goa are cheap. Said a low cost carrier official, “Airfares are typically capped for flights upto 30 days out. For cheaper fares, passengers have to book over a month before travel. For instance: Currently, Mumbai-Delhi cheapest return fare is Rs12,000 for September, but only Rs5,000 for October travel. In case of Diwali bookings, cheaper options may be available only with 45-60 days advance booking. The anxiety over Covid third wave has hit the pace of Diwali forward bookings.” Prahlad Krishnamurthi, chief business officer, Cleartrip, said forward booking trend was better than 2020, but significantly below 2019. “Bookings for travel in October-December this year are about 9% of overall bookings in August. This is higher than last year but lower than pre-Covid levels,” he said. In the last few weeks, consumers have been open to booking more than a month in advance and hence there’s a spike in October bookings, which is significantly higher than what was witnessed last year this time.

Sabina Chopra, co-founder, yatra.com, said bookings for October-November-December increased by more than 40% for leisure destinations. ``In comparison to 2020, there has been an increase in queries by 25-30% during this time of the year for winter travel as well. As for 2019, the year had a much more early stimulus for travel during October-November-December,’’ Chopra said.

MakeMyTrip data indicates a 5-time increase in travel bookings this August, compared to last year’s, said COO Vipul Prakash. “Compared to bookings in the same period last year, hotel bookings for stays more than two days increased by 20%; and family travel with more than two members witnessed growth by over seven times,’’ Prakash said, adding that bookings for travel during the festive dates are seeing a 35% jump.

1 Covaxin dose to survivor equals 2 doses to uninfected

1 Covaxin dose to survivor equals 2 doses to uninfected

Finds A Pilot Study By ICMR

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:29.08.2021

A single-dose of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin in people who had been infected with Covid-19 previously generates antibody response similar to that provided by two doses of the vaccine in those without any history of the infection, shows a pilot study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The findings are based on preliminary data and need to be confirmed with large-sized cohort studies, it said.

The study assumes significance because if ICMR can validate the initial findings through a large-scale study, it can be instrumental in expediting the coverage.

“This study offers evidence in support of public health-oriented and immunologically sustained vaccine strategies. If our preliminary findings are confirmed in large population studies, a single dose of BBV152 vaccine may be recommended to previously confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals so that the naïve individuals could attain the larger benefit of a limited vaccine supply,” says the short paper with the findings of the study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research.

However, the authors underlined that both vaccine doses would be ideal even for previously infected individuals in the long run due to the occurrence of variants of concern.

Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin is currently administered in a two-dose regimen with a gap of four to six weeks.

The ICMR study was undertaken to examine SARSCoV-2–specific antibody responses after day zero (baseline, before vaccination), Day 28 (month 1) and Day 56 post-first dose (month 2) of Covaxin in a group of healthcare professionals as well as front-line workers.

The antibody response of individuals with confirmed pre-vaccination SARSCoV-2 infection was compared with those individuals without prior evidence of infection.

A woman takes a selfie as a health worker administers a vaccine for Covid-19 at District Govt Women’s Hospital in Varanasi, on Saturday

Fully vaxxed desis can now fly to SL

Sri Lanka announced on Saturday that it was reopening its borders for India as it said fully vaccinated Indian travellers will only require a negative RT-PCR test, done 72 hours prior to arrival, and an on-arrival test at a certified hotel. Sri Lankan Airlines will operate four weekly flights to Chennai, three to Mumbai, and one to Bengaluru under its new schedule, and is likley to introduce “significant frequency enhancements”. TNN

Property tax pending? Corporation officials may slap a notice at the door

Property tax pending? Corporation officials may slap a notice at the door

Siddharth.Prabhakar@timesgroup.com

Chennai:29.08.2021

Commercial complexes and business establishments across the city who have not paid property tax dues for the past few years might wake up to Greater Chennai Corporation tax notices at their door.

Zonal level revenue officials of the civic body have started a drive to collect tax arrears from high-value defaulters, those who owe more than ₹50,000 and ₹1 lakh.

On Saturday, an office complex on Anna Salai was issued a notice to pay up tax arrears to the tune of ₹34.7 lakh. Similarly, a restaurant in T Nagar was also issued a notice to pay up arrears of several lakhs. The outlet was also sealed by officials.

In Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar zone, a mall was issued a notice to pay ₹1.2 crore a few days ago. It raised individual bills to 10 different commercial establishments inside the mall, officials said.

Officials have also been asked to tag along with their counterparts of Chennai Metrowater Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) and Tangedco and cut off water and electricity connections if the arrears are not paid.

Sources in the civic body said there are at least 500-600 who have a default of several lakhs. “We have been asked to collect arrears up to 2018. This is a routine process to shore up our tax revenue for the first of the half year,” said a couple of zonal level officials.

Sources said tax demand targeted for the first half of this financial year by GCC is around ₹650 crore including previous year arrears. “This is mainly because last year’s collection was extremely poor owing to the pandemic. Businesses were stressed and hence tax was not collected,” an official said.

In the 2020-21 financial year, GCC was able to collect only around ₹470 crore, half of their targeted demand. In comparison, this year GCC has already collected around ₹300 crore.

1 dies as part of a flyover under construction in Madurai crashes

1 dies as part of a flyover under construction in Madurai crashes

Kaushik Kannan & Sukshma Ramakrishnan TNN

Madurai:29.08.2021

A guest worker from Uttar Pradesh died when a concrete portion of the Madurai-–Natham flyover between two pillars at Bank Colony near Naganakulam Tank in Madurai crashed and plunged eight metres into the ground on Saturday evening. Officials said the accident happened due to a technical snag in the hydraulic jack when construction workers were lifting a girder (precast concrete block) between the pillars. The flyover is being constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

The incident happened around 4.30pm when workers were in the process of interlocking the Igirder on top of the flyover. Only two workers — Akash Singh and Saroj Kumar — were engaged in the task of handling the hydraulic jack and lift used for lifting the girder. Saroj Kumar was on the road operating the jack while Akash Singh was standing atop the concrete structure.

CRASH: A hydraulic jack malfunctioning has led to the collapse of a part of the Madurai-Natham flyover

No damage caused to the main flyover

There was an unexpected oil leak in the pipe connecting the hydraulic jack below and the lift on the top, resulting in inconsistency in the oil pressure in the machine. Soon, one side of the girder tilted and fell due to the imbalance, resulting in the huge structure coming crashing down. Akash’s hand got stuck in it and was severed as he also plunged down. He suffered multiple fractures and was rushed to Government Rajaji Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Saroj had a narrow escape as he managed to move away.

The portion that collapsed was part of the flyover’s arm connecting the service road. No damage was caused to the main flyover. Since vehicle movement where the accident took place was blocked with construction materials, there was no other incidents.

The 7.3-km-long flyover is part of the ₹1,200 crore Madurai-Natham four-lane highway which will reduce the distance between Madurai and Trichy and Chennai by 22 kms. Construction of the flyover at Rs 694crore began in November 2018 and was to be completed by November 2020 but the pandemic is among the reasons cited for the delay in completion. Finance minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan dismissed rumours that the bridge collapsed. “It is a workplace accident that unexpectedly took place at the construction site,” he told reporters and added that it was due to a broken hydraulic jack. Madurai city police commissioner Prem Anand Sinha said a case will be registered under section 304A of IPC for causing death due to negligence and they are investigating. “GMC has taken the contract. We are conducting inquiries with the immediate field supervisor and project manager,” he told TOI.

Mysuru rape: 5 arrested in TN by K’taka cops

Mysuru rape: 5 arrested in TN by K’taka cops

Mysuru:29.08.2021

A special investigation team of the Karnataka police on Saturday arrested five of the six suspects, including a juvenile, from Tamil Nadu in the alleged gang-rape of an MBA student from Mumbai at the Chamundi foothills in Mysuru on the night of August 24. A manhunt is on to nab the missing accused, reports Milton Lawrence.

“One of them claims he is 17 years old. We are verifying it,” Karnataka DGP Praveen Sood said. The DGP said the accused, all from Tirupur and Erode districts in Tamil Nadu, were engaged in carpentry and wiring and two of them were drivers. The drivers used to visit Mysuru frequently to transport vegetables and other commodities to the APMC Yard, and often brought along friends. They camped in open spaces during their stay in Mysuru.

Some of the rape accused were booked in theft cases in past: DGP

Sood said, “The accused were partying together when the crime was committed,” refusing to disclose their names since investigation is on.

The arrests come four days after the student was assaulted and her classmate was thrashed in Lalithadripura. Police said the accused followed the duo to the secluded stretch. Sood had been tasked by chief minister Basavaraj Bommai to oversee the probe. “After the Nirbhaya incident (2012), there is a direction from the court to try even 16-yearolds involved in heinous crimes in regular courts like adults,” the DGP said.

“It was not a pre-planned attack. On August 24, the accused, who were allegedly drunk, saw the couple go into the secluded area and followed them. They surrounded the couple and demanded ₹3 lakh from them. When they refused to pay, the men beat the young woman’s friend. The crime took place between 7pm and 8pm,” he added. Hospital sources said the rape survivor has been discharged and has proceeded to Mumbai.

Sood said the victim is in a state of shock and could not give a statement, her classmate gave some details though he was unconscious for some time during the crime.

“The special teams managed to arrest the five accused, mostly relying on technical and scientific evidence, which included a bus ticket and liquor bottles,” he said, lauding the force for cracking the case.

“Police have succeeded in cracking the case and have arrested five accused in less than four days. It has been a huge challenge for the police and the government... It shows the efficiency of Karnataka police,” chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said. Home minister Araga Jnanendra has announced a reward of ₹5 lakh for the investigating team.

The DGP said some of the accused have been previously booked in cases related to theft, among others, and it is not clear if they targeted other couples as well. “A lot of investigation needs to be done in the case. The police will file a chargesheet based on scientific and forensic evidence and we will request the high court to expedite the trial of the case and convict them at the earliest, on the lines of the Manipal and Nagarabhavi gang rape cases.”

Mysore univ withdraws 6pm curfew circular

Mysuru:

The University of Mysore (UoM) on Saturday withdrew its order restricting women students from venturing outside the varsity campus unaccompanied after 6pm, following widespread furore over the move. The circular had been issued in the wake of security concerns raised by authorities after six men gang-raped an MBA student and assaulted her male friend at Mysuru’s Chamundi foothills on August 24 night.

A fresh circular issued in its place appeals to students to be careful on campus while the bar on entry at Kukkarahalli Lake after 6.30pm remains. “We had issued the earlier order keeping in mind the safety of students. Now we have withdrawn it,” UoM registrar R Shivappa confirmed, adding that security has been tightened around the lake during evening hours. KPCC president DK Shivakumar demanded the immediate removal of the registrar. TNN

Just touching kid’s cheeks not sexual assault: Bombay HC

Just touching kid’s cheeks not sexual assault: Bombay HC

Rebecca.Samervel@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:29.08.2021

Observing that touching cheeks without a sexual intent would not attract the offence of “sexual assault” under the Pocso Act, the Bombay high court on Friday granted bail to a 46-year-old chicken seller who spent 13 months in jail.

The court said primary evaluation of the material on record does not suggest the accused touched the minor’s cheeks with a sexual intent. “In consideration of these facts, in my view, a case is made out for releasing the applicant on bail,” the court said. The high court, though, clarified that observations made “be construed as expression of opinion for the purpose of bail only and the same shall not in any way influence the trial in other proceedings”.

The accused was arrested in July 2020 after the eightyear-old girl’s mother lodged a complaint that the accused had touched her inappropriately when she went to his shop.

Bail pleas of the accused were earlier rejected by the trial court. Advocate Ram Prasad Gupta appeared for the accused and submitted that the accused was falsely implicated by the complainant over a business rivalry.

The defence said the accused was gainfully employed, had roots in society and had his family to look after.

“Thus, there arises no question of the applicant’s absconding and not available for trial,” Gupta submitted. It was also submitted that the offence is not punishable with death or life imprisonment. It said that maximum punishment provided for the alleged offence is seven years’ jail.

The FIR was lodged on July 29, 2020. It was alleged that at 1.30pm, the complainant, who lived in the neighbourhood, saw the accused signalling the girl to come to his shop. The girl went inside. It was alleged that after some time the accused came outside, looked around, went back in and pulled the shutter down.

It was further alleged that when with the help of another person, the shutter was opened, the accused was found behaving appropriately with the child.

The complainant took the child and parents to the police station and complained. After completion of the investigation, police filed a chargesheet.

HC says non-resistance at time of sexual assault amounts to pre-consent

HC says non-resistance at time of sexual assault amounts to pre-consent

K.Kaushik@timesgroup.com

Madurai:29.08.2021

Giving the benefit of doubt to a man who was convicted and sentenced in a sexual assault case, the Madras high court acquitted him, observing that the non-raising of resistance during the first time of sexual assault amounts to pre-consent and accordingly, the consent given by the woman cannot be held as a misconception of fact.

The man (appellant) from Madurai district allegedly sexually assaulted the woman from the same village and impreganted her. The Madurai mahila court in 2016 convicted and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment for offence under Section 376 (rape) of IPC.

The man had filed a criminal appeal before the HC Madurai bench in 2016 seeking to set aside the conviction and sentence. Justice R Pongiappan observed that the woman had specifically stated before the trial court that she fell in love with the appellant and regularly met him. The woman lodged a complaint about the sexual assault nearly after two and a half months, only when the man disowed his promise of marrying her.

The judge observed that the circumstances revealed the appellant had promised to marry her once after the completion of his brother's marriage. Only after this promise, the woman also continued her relationship with him. It was not found anywhere in the evidence that the appellant had given any definite date or any timeline to marry her.

The judge observed that eventually when she conceived, she insisted that the marriage should be performed soon and that is when the appellant suggested for abortion. Since the proposal was not accepted by the woman and the appellant disowned the promise, the case was registered.

Hence, the judge said this court has doubts as to whether the woman approached the police with the truth or with false averment. Observing that the accused is entitled to avail this benefit of doubt arising now, the judge set aside the conviction and sentence imposed by the trial court and acquitted him of all charges.

In 2016, the Madurai mahila court sentenced the man to 10 years jail for offence under IPC Section 376 (rape)