Retired government teachers appeal for DA

Retired government teachers appeal for DA

04/09/2021

Special CorrespondentCHENNAI

Retired teachers have appealed to the Tamil Nadu government to reinstate dearness allowance which has been withheld.

The teachers said that while the Central government had released prospectively the DA payment that it had suspended from January 2020 to July 2021 at 11%, the State government had in its Budget announced that the DA payment would be withheld for another nine months.

The Tamil Nadu Retired College Teachers’ Association has pointed out that the government employees and pensioners had been hard hit, and the COVID-19 pandemic had hurt them further.

‘Fundemental right’

They said that DA/DR is a fundamental right of an employee and pensioner and is meant for survival of the employee and pensioner against erosion of wages and pension. The association cited the rules that protect the payment of salary/pension to government employees, and appealed that the government revoke its decision to withhold the DA and disburse it.

பயிற்சி டாக்டர் பணி இயக்குனருக்கு உத்தரவு

பயிற்சி டாக்டர் பணி இயக்குனருக்கு உத்தரவு

Added : செப் 04, 2021 00:22

சென்னை:அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரி மருத்துவமனைகளில் பணிபுரியும் பயிற்சி டாக்டர்களுக்கு, கூடுதல் பணி நேரம் ஒதுக்கப்படுகிறதா என்பதை, மருத்துவ கல்வி இயக்குனர் கண்காணிக்கும்படி சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டு உள்ளது.

சமூக சமத்துவத்துக்கான மருத்துவர் சங்க பொதுச்செயலர் ரவீந்திரநாத் தாக்கல் செய்த மனுவில், 'அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்லுாரி மருத்துவமனைகளில், பயிற்சி மருத்துவர்கள் மற்றும் மேல்படிப்பு மாணவர்களை, எட்டு மணி நேரத்துக்கும் அதிகமாக பணியாற்றும்படி நிர்ப்பந்திக்கின்றனர்.'பணிச் சுமை காரணமாக சிலர் தற்கொலை செய்துள்ளனர்.

எட்டு மணி நேர பணி நிர்ணயித்து, 2015ல் பிறப்பித்த அறவிப்பை அமல்படுத்த வேண்டும்' என, கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.இம்மனு, தலைமை நீதிபதி சஞ்ஜிப் பானர்ஜி, நீதிபதி ஆதிகேசவலு அடங்கிய அமர்வில் விசாரணைக்கு வந்தது. மனுதாரர் சார்பில், வழக்கறிஞர் தங்கசிவன் ஆஜரானார்.

அரசு தரப்பில், அரசு பிளீடர் முத்துகுமார் ஆஜராகி, ''கூடுதல் பணி என எந்த புகாரும் இல்லை. புகார் அளிக்க குழு அமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது,'' என்றார்.இதை பதிவு செய்த நீதிபதிகள், பயிற்சி மருத்துவர்கள் மற்றும் மேற்படிப்பு மாணவர்களுக்கு கூடுதல் பணி நேரம் ஒதுக்கப்படுகிறதா என்பதை, மருத்துவ கல்வி இயக்குனர் கண்காணிக்கும்படி உத்தரவிட்டது.

Kerala varsity syndicate okays norms for faculty posting

Kerala varsity syndicate okays norms for faculty posting

It applies to university departments, aided colleges, as per UGC Regulations, 2018

Published: 03rd September 2021 05:47 AM |

Image of Kerala University used for representational purpose. (File Photo | EPS)

By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The syndicate of the University of Kerala has approved the guidelines for appointment of assistant professors in university departments and aided colleges as per the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2018.

As prescribed in the regulations, appointment will be made solely on the basis of the interview that will be held after shortlisting eligible candidates. The syndicate also approved the interview format prescribed in the UGC regulations.

After preparing a shortlist, 10 candidates will be called for interview for a single post and five more candidates for subsequent vacancies. Aided colleges are also free to follow the appointment guidelines ratified by the syndicate. The entire interview procedure should also be video graphed.

Pension revision

The syndicate of also decided to urge the government to withdraw its order which stipulated that the additional financial burden arising out of the pension revision of former university employees should be borne by the varsity from its own fund.

A five-member sub-committee of the syndicate has been tasked with taking up the issue with the government. The pension revision was supposed to be carried out with retrospective effect from 2019. Barring Kerala University that cited fund crunch, all other state universities had gone ahead with pension revision.

Other key decisions

University to urge govt to withdraw order on pension revision using varsity’s own fund

To explore possibility of offering online UG, PG courses through distance mode

Online courses

The Syndicate also constituted a sub-committee to undertake a study on the feasibility of offering online UG and PG courses through the School of Distance Education.

Anna University allows two colleges to start engineering courses in Tamil

Anna University allows two colleges to start engineering courses in Tamil

While Erode Sengunthar will offer 60 seats in Mechanical Engineering stream in Tamil medium, Rathinam Technical Campus will teach Computer Science Engineering in the regional language.

Published: 03rd September 2021 05:38 AM 

Anna University (File Photo | EPS)

By Binita Jaiswal

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Decks have been cleared for Erode Sengunthar College and Rathinam Technical Campus, to start Tamil medium engineering courses, after finally receiving necessary approval from Anna University (AU) on Thursday.

While Erode Sengunthar will offer 60 seats in Mechanical Engineering stream in Tamil medium, Rathinam Technical Campus will teach Computer Science Engineering in the regional language. The All-India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) had granted approval to both colleges long back but both were in dilemma over starting the courses this year as they did not receive requisite permission from AU — their affiliating university.

The colleges were worried over the delay in getting permission from AU as the last date for applying for Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) ended on August 24. Sources said AU was hesitant to grant approval as it doesn’t have sufficient study material in Tamil to provide these colleges. Besides, they were worried that a number of seats might fall vacant as there could only be a few takers for the courses, and placement issues may also ensue.

However, both the colleges are relieved after getting approval from AU. The permission has come late but the colleges are confident of filling up their seats. “We had surrendered the Tamil medium seats to Directorate of Technical Education (DOTE) earlier and had informed that we will admit students only after getting AU approval. Now, DOTE has also postponed the release of rank list for engineering admissions to September 14. All these will favour us,” said V Venkatachalam, principal of Erode Sengunthar college.

‘Several enquiries’

B Nagaraj, principal of Rathinam Technical Campus, said Computer Science stream is in much demand and they are receiving a good number of enquiries for the Tamil medium course. “We won’t face problems in attracting students,” he said

Three students, 3 teachers test +ve in TN since school reopening

Three students, 3 teachers test +ve in TN since school reopening

Contacts Tested, Classes Continue

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

04.09.2021

Trichy/Coimbatore/Cuddalore:

Three school students and three teachers have tested positive for Covid-19 so far in the state since schools reopened on Wednesday. They included two girls in Ariyalur, another in Namakkal and two teachers handling higher secondary classes in Cuddalore.

Among the two Ariyalur girls, one is a Class XII student and hosteller at Annai Lourd higher secondary school in Varadarajanpettai. As she developed mild upper respiratory infection (URI) symptoms, she gave her swab for RT-PCR test at Jayankondam GH on September 1. As the result came positive, she was moved to Jayankondam GH for further care. However, she had attended classes on Thursday. In the other case, a Class IX girl, a day scholar at Nirmala girls higher secondary school, had higher body temperature during thermal scanning at the school on Wednesday. She subsequently underwent RT-PCR test and tested positive even though she had no other symptoms. She did not attend classes on Thursday.

The Class IX student who had been undergoing chemotherapy in recent years, was asymptomatic and was admitted to Ariyalur government medical college hospital. The district health department has collected more than 60 samples from the primary and secondary contacts of the two girls including family members, classmates and teachers. Hostels and school managements were told to ensure the screening process further, she said. The schools have closed the classrooms and blocks used by these students. Officials said the schools will continue to function and students will be accommodated in the unused classrooms.

In another case, a Class X student from Namakkal who attended classes on Wednesday tested positive when her Covid test result came the next day. “All the 300-odd students and teachers underwent test to check for the virus spread. While none of them were found to have contracted the virus, alternative arrangement was made for the students to continue classes from Friday,” said Namakkal DEO A Balumuthu.

In Cuddalore district, two teachers handling higher secondary classes at Jawahar matriculation HSS in Neyveli tested positive for Covid-19. The teacher along with others gave swab samples before the schools reopened on September 1. Their test results which were announced on Friday returned positive following which the school management requested the students who were in contact with the teacher to isolate themselves. A trained graduate teacher posted at Venugopalapuram government GHSS in the district also tested positive. Health officials said the teacher, who started attending school from September 1, was resting in the staff room on Thursday. She complained of nausea and vomiting and was isolated immediately. She and her daughter had given swab samples a day before the school reopened.

One of the cases was caught during thermal screening at a school. A RT-PCR test showed that the student with higher body temperature was Covid positive. She had no other symptoms

Maruti recalls 1.8 lakh cars sold from 2018 to ’20 for faulty unit

REPLACEMENT TO BEGIN FROM NOV

Maruti recalls 1.8 lakh cars sold from 2018 to ’20 for faulty unit

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:04.09.2021

Maruti Suzuki on Friday announced a recall of as many as 1.8 lakh cars sold between May 4, 2018, and October 27, 2020, to replace a faulty motor generator unit. The cars being recalled are certain petrol variants of Ciaz sedan, Ertiga utility vehicle, and SUVs Vitara Brezza, SCross and XL6.

Maruti said that the replacement of the affected part shall begin from the first week of November. “Till then, customers are requested to avoid driving in water-logged areas and direct water spray on electrical/electronic parts in vehicle.” The change of faulty parts will be undertaken free of cost, the company said, adding that customers will receive a communication from dealerships regarding the exercise.

“Recall campaigns are undertaken globally to rectify faults that may be potential safety defects. In the interest of customers, Maruti has decided to voluntarily recall the affected vehicles for inspection/replacement of motor generator unit, free of cost,” the company said.

Announcing recalls must for auto companies: Government

It added, “Affected vehicle owners would be receiving a communication from Maruti authorised workshops.”

The company said that customers of suspected vehicles can also visit the ‘Imp Customer Info’ section on the company websites www.marutisuzuki.com (for Ertiga and Vitara Brezza) or www.nexaexperience.com(for Ciaz, XL6 and S-Cross) and fill in their vehicle’s chassis number to check if their vehicle needs any attention.

While previously it was voluntary, the government has now made announcement of recalls mandatory for vehicle manufacturers in case they notice defects that are generic in nature.

Penalties have also been stipulated with regards to the exercise. Previously, there used to be instances where vehicle companies would avoid calling out generic defects, fearing impact on the branding.

HC notice to cops over plea to examine Sasi, EPS

HC notice to cops over plea to examine Sasi, EPS

Kodanad Case: Police To Reply By Sept 27

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:04.09.2021

The Madras high court has ordered notice to the Nilgiris police on a plea by three accused in the Kodanad Estate murder-burglary case seeking to examine former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, and former general secretary of AIADMK V K Sasikala before trial court.

Admitting the plea on Friday, Justice M Nirmal Kumar observed that the petitioners had not produced any materials to show why Palaniswami, Sasikala and others must be examined by the trial court. The court then adjourned the plea to September 27 for the police to file its counter.

According to D Deepu, M S Satheesan and A Santhosh Samy, all accused in the case, the sessions judge of the Nilgiris had taken up the trial even during the peak of pandemic situation and the court hall and campus was crowded with police, accused, advocates, politicians and presspersons. “In the above circumstances, we filed a petition before the sessions court seeking to permit us to examine Palaniswami, Sasikala, J Eelavarasi, V Sudhakaran, the then Nilgiris district collector Shankar, the then SP Murali Rambah, AIADMK state office-bearer Sajeevan, manager of Kodanad estate Natarajan, and Sunil, a resident of Gudalur,” the petition said.

On April 30, the sessions court passed an order partly allowing the petition, permitting them to examine only manager Natarajan, they said. Therefore, challenging the trial court order, they have moved the high court.

The petitioners alleged that the trial court had failed to note that it was the right of the accused to lead witnesses on his side in order to substantiate his case. “The court has failed to note that one of the main charges in the case is Section 396 (dacoity) of IPC wherein the material object secured from the accused by investigating officer is nothing but a Rhinoceros miniature made of glass which is unacceptable, and obvious that the police have attempted to fill the lacunae and acted in a biased manner in order to save the skin of some person under priority,” they alleged.