TN governor presents PhD degrees to 306 MKU students

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Madurai: Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit presided over the 51st annual convocation of Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) and gave away PhD degrees to 306 candidates and 78 graduates who won various medals in their academics, here on Monday.

“I would like to quote of Martin Luther King - The day we see the truth and cease to speak is the day we begin to die - injustice and corruption should not be tolerated, and it is applicable to all, students, professors and journalists,” the governor said in his address.

The governor also inaugurated smart classrooms at the university. MKU has established 82 smart classrooms in all the 20 schools at the varsity which offering 41 programmes, with each classrooms for I and II year PG programmes under the financial assistance of RUSA.

He also inaugurated two academic parks - Swami Vivekananda Academic Park at the School of Youth Empowerment and Kavikuyil Sarojini Naidu Women Academic Park in front of the women hostels.

The university is bringing out 25 academic parks named after various personalities on its premises.

Anna univ shrinks exam schedule to give more time for placements

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai : In an effort to give engineering students more than a month to prepare for campus placements, admission tests to join institutions of higher education and undergo internships, Anna University has compressed the semester exam schedule.

In the past, exam dates were spread over two months with a gap of more than four days or a week at times. This year, the controller of examinations has streamlined the schedule, reducing the interval between two exams to three days or less for most streams. A notification released on Monday said the semester exams would begin on April 23 and end on May 30.

While students who joined BE, B Tech, and B Arch course in the 2017-18 academic year, will take their semester exams from May 16, those for second, third and final year are scheduled to begin on April 23.

“Students are now given ample time to prepare for placements or undergo internships and industrial training,” controller of examinations G V Uma told TOI.

Special efforts were made to prepare a compressed schedule for final year students since some of them would need more time to prepare for admission tests to join institutions of higher education, both locally and globally, she said. The stream-wise schedule for more than six lakh undergraduate students in 560 affiliated colleges has been uploaded on http://aucoe.annauniv.edu.

PG exam timetable yet to be released

The timetable for postgraduate students is yet to be released.

On the flip side, however, some students felt they might need more time to prepare for core papers. “Though an interval of one or two days is enough for most papers, specialised subjects with new and complex concepts like ‘strength of materials’, ‘theory of machines’ need more time,” said a mechanical engineering student from a government college in Coimbatore on condition of anonymity.

Med scam: CJI paves way for removal of HC judge

Dhananjay.Mahapatra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi: Finding substance in allegations against the Allahabad high court’s Justice S N Shukla related to the medical admission scam, a threejudge in-house committee has recommended his removal to CJI Dipak Misra.

Acting on the committee’s recommendations and as per paragraph 7(i) of the in-house procedure, the CJI advised Justice Shukla to either resign or take voluntary retirement. However, Justice Shukla refused to do either. Left with no option, the CJI advised the HC chief justice to withdraw judicial work from Justice Shukla with immediate effect, a step which can clear the way for his removal and for the CBI to register a case against him in connection with the medical admission scam. Justice Shukla, while heading a division bench, allegedly defied restraint orders passed by a CJI-led bench last year to permit private colleges to admit students for the 2017-18 academic year. Two complaints, including one from the advocate general of the state, were received by the CJI on September 1, 2017 and he set up an inhouse panel comprising Madras HC CJ Indira Banerjee, Sikkim HC CJ S K Agnihotri and MP HC Justice P K Jaiswal.



Oppn keen on House debate on SC friction

The controversy over the Supreme Court appears set for escalation, with political parties, including a ruling NDA ally, seeking discussion in the Parliament on issues emanating from the public outburst of the four seniormost judges of the apex court, reports Subodh Ghildiyal. Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral has asked the government to allocate time to discuss the crisis.P 14

‘ Judge had disgraced the values of judicial life ’

Two complaints, including one from the advocate general of the state, was received by the CJI on September 1 last year and he set up an in-house committee comprising Madras HC CJ Indira Banerjee, Sikkim HC CJ S K Agnihotri and MP HC Justice P K Jaiswal.

The inquiry committee said Justice Shukla had “disgraced the values of judicial life, acted in a manner unbecoming of a judge”, lowered the “majesty, dignity and credibility of his office” and acted in breach of his oath of office.

As per paragraph 7(ii) of the in-house procedure, the CJI will now recommend initiation of removal proceedings against Justice Shukla. Paragraph 7(ii) provides, “In case the judge expresses unwillingness to resign or seek voluntary retirement, the chief justice of the high court concerned should be advised by the Chief Justice of India not to allocate any judicial work to the judge concerned and the President and the Prime Minister shall be intimated that this had been done because allegations against the judge were found by the committee to be so serious as to warrant initiation of proceedings for removal.”

Once the CJI writes to the President and the PM recommending removal of an HC judge, the Rajya Sabha chairperson, who is also the Vice-President, appoints a threejudge inquiry panel in consultation with the CJI under the Judges (Enquiry) Act, 1968, to look into the allegations examined by the inhouse committee. This inquiry panel will examine evidence and record finding which will form the basis for whether or not removal motion be debated in Rajya Sabha.

Chennai: Dealer fined Rs 25,000 for not returning car after repairs

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedJan 29, 2018, 1:45 am IST

No bill was produced for repairs, spare parts worth Rs 1.65L.

The Forum has directed the dealer to return the car immediately.

Chennai: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Chennai (South) has imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on a car dealer for not returning a car taken for repair and for attempting to collect Rs 1.64 lakh without valid profoma invoice /estimate bills. The Forum has directed the dealer to return the car immediately.
In the petition, Santha Sridharan of Anna Nagar submitted that she purchased Honda City Car A-Alabaster vehicle from TVS Sundaram Motors, Anna Salai for Rs 7,34,570 with the help of loan availed from ICICI Bank.

On September 9, 2007 when her family members were returning to Chennai from Tirupati the vehicle stopped suddenly in the middle of the road. Immediately, she intimated matter to dealer. She paid Rs 10,000 as advance to the staff and the vehicle was taken to their workshop. Since then there was no response from the agency.

After a long gap, they replied that they had attended the mechanical fault in the vehicle and directed her to pay Rs 1,64,099 less advance of Rs 10,000. She contended that the dealer committed negligence and stated that without raising a bill they sought payment of Rs 1.64 lakh. She sought direction for compensation and for replacement with a new vehicle.

In its reply, Honda Manager, Sundaram Motors denied the allegations. The husband of the complainant brought the vehicle to the showroom for repairs. It was noticed that the oil sump in the vehicle was damaged due to external impact and hence oil leaked out from the engine oil sump. As the vehicle was driven continuously with less or no oil, the engine had suffered oil starvation. Finally, the engine ceased.

Customer Services, ICICI Lombord, General Insurance Company Ltd., stated that the company not liable to pay any compensation or replacement with a new vehicle. The vehicle developed a problem that can be attributed either to the bad maintenance or some manufacturing defects.

The bench comprising President M.Mony, Members K.Amala and Dr T. Paul Rajasekaran, said the dealer failed to produce any profoma invoice, estimate bill, details of spare parts and bill or repairs bill before this Forum. They had only produced a bill for the alleged repair of the vehicle to the tune of Rs 1,64,099. Hence the complainant was not liable to pay amount to the agency.

Considering the facts and circumstances, the dealer shall deliver the car to the complainant immediately without making a claim since the vehicle is covered under warranty period. The bench imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on the agency for causing her mental agony.

NEET-MDS topper has a Pondicherryy dentist’s address

By Bagalavan Perier B  |  Express News Service  |   Published: 29th January 2018 01:49 AM  |  

S Kathijathul Hidhaya

PUDUCHERRY: For S Kathijathul Hidhaya, a trained dentist based in Puducherry, clearing the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to the Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) course with a decent score was the primary goal. What she eventually got was a jaw-dropper All India Rank (AIR) One.

A bright student since her Kendriya Vidyalaya days at the JIPMER campus in Puducherry, she was a school topper in Class X with 472 on 500. She also fared well in Plus Two and cleared under-graduation at Mahatma Gandhi Dental College Hospital in Puducherry in 2016 with distinction. But her academic career thus far didn’t suggest she would go anywhere near NEET-MDS AIR 1. That was perhaps why she didn’t join any coaching institute in town.

“I used online tutorials to prepare and just took online model tests conducted by coaching centres here every week,” Hidhaya (25) told TNIE.

“After completing UG in 2016, I worked in JIPMER for a year and then took a break to prepare for NEET. When the NEET-MDS 2018 results were put out on Thursday, I was stunned to see my score card that read 702 on 960 and AIR 1.”

Her father B A Sameemullah, a retried Indian Air Force personnel, had worked in a public sector bank but passed away last year. She now lives with mother S Nasreen Banu and brother Abdul Rehman, who is pursuing a UG course.

Chennai airport may fly into trouble over security audit

By Sana Shakil  |   Published: 28th January 2018 09:28 AM  |  

Chennai airport.

NEW DELHI: With less than two months left for a security audit by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at Chennai International Airport, the country’s aviation authorities are on tenterhooks.

An internal audit carried out by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has found that many practices followed at the airport are not in tune with international norms.

Sources said problem areas are security equipment, improper barricading of the airport periphery, cargo safety and documentation of records.

The audit by ICAO assumes significance as the country’s entire security aviation system will get a score based on the performance of Chennai airport, which has been chosen as the sample airport. The security audit’s score will determine India’s expansion plans in the aviation sector globally.

The last on-sight audit of Indian aviation security systems was done by ICAO in February 2011 at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, which scored 89 per cent.

The ICAO audit of Chennai Airport in March will find out how internationally prescribed norms are being followed based on instructions issued by the BCAS. It has submitted a comprehensive report on the internal audit to the state-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI), the airport operator of Chennai Airport, one of the busiest airport in the country. BCAS has asked AAI to comply with norms and implement its recommendations before the international audit team reaches India. The Sunday Standard has learnt that the internal audit found out that security arrangement at the airport periphery is not of high level; it is not properly barricaded, indicating chances of trespassing.

The report on the internal audit also raises concerns about equipment used for security clearance of baggage at the airport. BCAS has also raised concerns about cargo safety at the Air Cargo complex at the airport. A shocking finding is about subletting of a portion of the “cargo area” to an airline. Sources said this is a major security concern as the space allotted for cargo operations is meant exclusively for regulated cargo agents, who have direct access to aircraft.

For the security audit of India’s aviation system, the ICAO team will also look into areas such as legislative and regulatory architecture, performance of security personnel and security training etc. ICAO carries out periodic audits of member countries and assesses their implementation of norms of security and safety measures in handling all areas of civil aviation security and safety.

In 2012, the ICAO had placed India in its list of 13 worst-performing nations in terms of air safety. In 2014, US aviation regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration, had also downgraded India’s ranking. Though the ratings were restored after 15 months, Indian carriers were not allowed new routes to the US or sign agreements with US airlines during this period.

Absence of reservation charts a huge inconvenience at Chennai Central railway station

By B Anbuselvan | Express News Service | Published: 29th January 2018 01:55 AM |



The Karaikudi-bound Pallavan Express seen without reservation charts

CHENNAI: A move by Southern Railway to stop pasting reservation charts on trains has forced hundreds of elderly commuters, particularly those with IRCTC tickets and not conversant with operating mobile phones, to run from pillar to post to find their berths.

The practice to do away with reservation charts began as a pilot project in trains originating at Chennai Central for three months from October 2. Though it has been more than three months, railways has not made any official announcement on discontinuing the reservation charts. However, they have stopped pasting charts on trains at Chennai Egmore as well. Nearly 60 per cent of trains originating at Madurai, Tiruchy and Coimbatore also are being operated without reservation charts. The decision has put thousands in ordeal, particularly the elderly.

S Kamaraj (72), a retired health official of S S Colony in Madurai told Express he and his 64-year-old wife were made to run behind each and every travelling ticket examiners (TTE) to find their berths in Pandian Express last week. “My son told us that he messaged the ticket details to my mobile. And, while entering the station, I dropped the mobile and it got damaged. I am not sure whether it was S5 or S7. When I approached a TTE, we were asked to check with other TTEs. of waiting, we found our berths and boarded the train just a few seconds before departure,” he said.

The problems without reservation charts are plenty, say commuters. It ranges from non-receipt of ticket details through mobiles while booking tickets in IRCTC to more passengers claiming the same berth and boarding wrong trains.

Commuters say the train compartments get chaotic when the same berth is demanded by more than one passenger. The situation worsens when the train has less number of TTE’s or no TTEs at times. Due to shortage of staff, TTEs are asked to examine the tickets of passengers in three to four coaches. It goes to six coaches when other staff go on emergency leave. Mostly, elderly passengers are the worst affected.

Another traveller, R Shanmugam of Southern Railway Passengers Association said a month ago, while travelling to Dindigul, he and his relative waited for nearly two hours to get two berths from another passenger who disputed that berths were allotted to him. “After the train reached Katpadi, we informed a TTE and got the reservation chart verified and got the berths. The employee said the entire sleeper coach has one TTE for seven coaches,” he added.

The absence of reservation charts also add to the woes of last minute commuters who travel on Chennai-Katpadi and Chennai-Villupuram sections frequently. Earlier, rail passengers from Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Arakkonam, Katpadi, Ambur, Jolarpet, Tiruvallur and Walajah who travel with unreserved second class tickets to and from Chennai Central and Egmore take the reserved coaches of day time express by paying the reservation fee of `15 to TTE. Ever since these trains started operating without charts on their exterior, passengers hesitated to board the reserved coaches as they were not sure of availability of seats.

Since then, during weekdays Chennai-Tirupati Sapthagiri Express, Chennai-Coimbatore Intercity, Chennai-Bengaluru Express, Chennai-Bengaluru Lalbagh Express, Chennai-Madurai Vaigai Express and Chennai- Karaikudi Pallavan express operated with fully reserved class passengers.

When contacted a senior official said they were awaiting orders from railway board on the procedures to be followed on reservation charts. “On receipt of revised guidelines, we will make the necessary changes. As of now, reservation charts are to be slowly phased out,” he concluded.

Large elderly population

According to the 2011 census, Tamil Nadu has 7.21 crore population out of which 9.9 per cent (nearly 71 lakhs) are in the age group of 60+. A study conducted by United Nations Population Fund in June 2017 estimated the elderly population in the State at 11.2 per cent, second highest in the country after Kerala