Maha, TN extend lockdown till July 31

Maha, TN extend lockdown till July 31

K’taka Plans Strict Curbs From July 7

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  30.06.2020

Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu governments on Monday extended the lockdown till July 31 to stop the surge of Covid-19 cases — with stricter norms in the Mumbai and Chennai regions — while the Karnataka government indicated that it will bring back from July 7 harsher measures such as banning the entry and exit of people from high-risk districts like Bengaluru and shutting down parks and markets.

In a notification, the Maharashtra government restricted inter-district travel between municipal corporations within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) only for office purposes and essential activities like medical reasons. The order comes a day after Mumbai police announced restrictions on non-essential travel beyond 2 km of one’s residence. The notification also slashed the timings of non-essential shops by four hours, restricted their operations only between 9 am and 5 pm. However, there is no change in the timing of essential shops like groceries and pharmacies.

Officials said stricter norms were notified as there were too many people on the streets unnecessarily.

According to the new notification, the powers to implement a stricter lockdown have been delegated to the local administration in case they find that cases are on the rise in a particular area.

The Tamil Nadu government also extended curbs for a month across the state. In particular, Greater Chennai police limits, including parts of Chengalpet, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts, will have an “intense lockdown” till July

5. Announcing this, CM Edappadi K Palaniswami said total lockdown will be enforced in the state on all Sundays.

The Karnataka government indicated that it will bring back harsher measures from July 7 to stop the spread of the pandemic. The curbs on the cards include restricted entry into districts where cases are on the rise, temporary closure of major public parks, wholesale markets and temples for at least two weeks to avoid congregation of people.

Meanwhile, with an eye on the rising Covid-19 graph in Bengal, CM Mamata Banerjee announced that no international flight will operate in the state till July 15.

Full report on www.toi.in

A policeman tries to enforce lockdown curbs in Mumbai on Monday

PM to address nation at 4pm today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 4 pm on Tuesday at a time when tensions with China are high over the border standoff in Ladakh and the Centre has announced guidelines for Unlock 2.0 which do not offer much further relaxations, indicating that the spread of Covid-19 remains worrying. He has so far addressed the nation five times following the coronavirus outbreak.

There is a possibility that the PM will urge people to follow norms such as social distancing and personal hygiene and urge patience to minimise spread of the Covid-19 virus. He has asked people not to lower their guard when different sectors are being opened up, allowing more economic activity and restoration of normal working. Sources said the PM’s address is primarily about sharing his views on fighting the coronavirus crisis though it might have references to the border tension in eastern Ladakh too. TNN

Ex-MP assaults cops at Salem who ask him for his e-pass

Ex-MP assaults cops at Salem who ask him for his e-pass

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Salem:30.06.2020

Former Dharmapuri MP and AIADMK member K Arjunan assaulted policemen on duty at a toll plaza on the Salem-Bengaluru National Highway near Karuppur here on Sunday night. Following this, Karuppur police have registered a case under two sections of IPC on Monday.

The incident took place when Arjunan was returning to Salem city from his farm near Omalur. Police personnel deployed at the toll plaza asked him to produce e-pass as he was entering the city. Irked over this, Arjunan started arguing with the cops. “I was returning to Salem from Omalur when the cops demanded my identity card,” Arjunan told reporters.

He said he had told them that he did not have identity card and they refused to let him proceed further. “At that time, sub-inspector Ramesh suddenly directed the cops to pull me out from the car,” Arjunan said, adding that after this he started arguing with the cops.

Arjunan said the SI had first abused him following which he started abusing them too. The cops, however, said that the ex-MP used had abusive words first. “Arjunan called the cops ‘beggers’ and asked who gave them powers to kill Jeyaraj and Beniks at Sathankulam in Tuticorin district,” said Salem deputy commissioner of police (law and order) P Thangadurai. He said the cops had remained calm until Arjunan assaulted the SI.

People who were present at the spot pacified the ex-MP and the cops.

The DCP said they have booked Arjunan under section 294(b) (sings, recites or utters any obscene song, ballad or words, in or near any public place) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) of Indian Penal Code (IPC). “Further action will be initiated only after inquiry,” the DCP added.

Former Dharmapuri MP and AIADMK member K Arjunan argues with cops at a toll plaza on the Salem-Bengaluru National Highway on Sunday

It is duty of lab technicians to collect swabs for test: Govt

It is duty of lab technicians to collect swabs for test: Govt

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 30.06.2020

Medical lab technicians are qualified to collect samples for Covid-19 test and, in fact, sample collection is one of the very important competencies that such technicians must possess, the Tamil Nadu government told the Madras high court on Monday.

“It is untrue that such technicians are forced to collect Covid-19 samples. Sample collection is a part of their day-to-day duty and they were engaged in the work even before the Covid-19 pandemic,” said director of medical education Dr R Narayana Babu.

Responding to a plea moved by the state government medical laboratory technicians’ association seeking direction to the state to depute only qualified ENT doctors for Covid-19 sample collection, he said such trained technicians who were performing this duty all these years should not have initiated the litigation during a pandemic.

“It is fact that all the trained doctors and post-graduate trainees irrespective of their field of expertise are equally engaged in the care of Covid-19 patients, with all at the inherent risk of contracting the deadly disease. Whereas, the technicians are denying duty to collect samples from persons who are only suspected of having the disease,” the DME added.

Narayana Babu further added that the qualification of such technicians becomes questionable if they state that they lack knowledge of human anatomy. The syllabus and curriculum for diploma, BSc and MSc medical laboratory technology clearly states that they should be fluent with the knowledge of the anatomy of the respiratory tract and various other human organ systems, he said.

Recording the submission, a division bench of Justice R Subbiah and Justice Krishnan Ramasway adjourned the hearing to July 1for the association to file its reply.

Property registration tokens misused as e-passes to travel

Property registration tokens misused as e-passes to travel

Yogesh.Kabirdoss@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 30.06.2020

Tokens issued by the registration department for property registrations, which can be now be used to travel between districts, are being misused as e-pass alternative by many to travel to their native. This came to light after it was observed that sub-registrar offices outside Chennai and neighbouring districts saw many avail the tokens but not turn up for registrations.

To get a token, basic property details such as its location, survey number and the sub-registrar under whose purview it is have to be keyed in on the website. The token is generated in a few minutes. While e-pass applications can be rejected, the tokens are issued in all cases.

While about 10% of those availing tokens did not turn up for registrations before the Covid-19 outbreak, 20% to 35% no shows were observed in sub-registrar offices in districts south of Villupuram. The registration department began issuing online tokens specifying the date and time for property registration at the respective sub-registrar offices after the entire process was pushed to cyber space in 2018.

The state government announced that these tokens can be used as an alternate for epass for registrations that required travelling to other districts for land registrations during the lockdown period. This is being used by several to move to their native places.

Registration department sources said the number of noshows for property registration raised an eyebrow. “Subregistrar offices in districts that issued 50 tokens a day saw only 30 turn up for property registration,” a registration official in Coimbatore said.

A sub-registrar in Villupuram said the number of people present for property registrations was way lower than the tokens issued on any given day. The token gets cancelled if the buyers and sellers do not turn up on the particular day.

When contacted, inspector general of registration Jothi Nirmala said the issue would be looked into. “The token will have one of the buyers name. While travelling with the token, the draft document, which has other names, should also be shown to prevent any misuse. The misuse had not been brought to my notice. I will verify,” she told TOI.

The tokens can be used to travel between districts to register properties. While e-pass applications can be rejected, the tokens are auto generated, and are seen as a sure-shot way to travel

Madras univ gets a patent for finding anti-cancer compound in sapota leaves

ANTI-DIABETIC TOO

Madras univ gets a patent for finding anti-cancer compound in sapota leaves

Bosco.Dominique@timesgroup.com

Puducherry:  30.06.2020

The University of Madras has obtained a patent for discovering a new compound from the leaves of sapota (botanical name Manilkara zapota). The compound named Mazapotin has anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, antioxidant and anti-angiogenic properties.

Former director of the Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, University of Madras, N Raaman, along with his student C Sivaraj extracted the compound. The university filed a patent in 2012 through patent agent B Deepa. The Intellectual Property India, after due process and examination, granted the patent in June this year for discovering the compound.

The university was granted patent for its extraction process, evolved by Raaman and Sivaraj, last year.

“Mazapotin has anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-angiogenic properties and is more powerful than Quercetin (a flavonoid used for the prevention and treatment of cancer). After studying its mechanism of action and clinical trials, the compound can be developed as a medicine to treat cancer patients who are diabetics,” said Raaman, who is also the director of Centre for Herbal Sciences at the university.

Raaman claimed that Mazapotin prevents the binding of carcinogens to DNA and strengthens connective tissues, which may prevent cancer cells from spreading to other parts of the body. “Mazapotin has the ability to cause normal and controlled death of cancer cells,” said Raaman.

He said 1-7 microgram per ml concentration of Mazapotin has antioxidant activity in the range of 35.29% to 98.34%, higher than the antioxidant activity of Quercetin. The new compound at 0.5mg per pellet has 57.25% of angiogenic inhibition activity. Similarly, a 25 microgram per ml concentration of Mazapotin can account for the death of 85.42% of MCF-7 (breast cancer cell line). A 5-35 microgram per ml concentration of Mazapotin has anti-diabetic activity in the range of 18.18% to 66.66%, Raaman said.

Tamil Nadu refusing clearance for evacuation flights, Centre tells HC

Tamil Nadu refusing clearance for evacuation flights, Centre tells HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:30.06.2020

Due to the Tamil Nadu government’s refusal to give clearance for Vande Bharath Mission flights, Non-resident Indians (NRIs) from the state are forced to land in neighbouring states and then proceed to their destination in Tamil Nadu, the central government has informed the Madras high court.

“The state government has requested that the number of flights to Chennai may be restricted to two per day and to Tiruchirappalli, Coimbatore and Madurai not more than 1, to facilitate smooth reception and observance of Covid-19 protocol,”the ministry of external affairs said through a memo filed in the court on Monday.

The submissions were made in response to a PIL moved by DMK alleging that the state is not permitting landing of international flights. When the plea came up for hearing before a division bench of Justice R Subbiah and Justice Krishnan Ramaswamy, senior counsel P Wilson pointed out the memo filed by the Centre and said the state was not permitting such flights. This apart, the state has also conveyed that in addition to the VBM flights, it had also been getting requests for chartered flights. Passengers arriving by charter flights have to pay for quarantine accommodation and Covid-19 testing twice, once on arrival and a second time on day 7/8 of the quarantine and have started demanding confirmation of online bookings of the same as pre-conditions to clear charter flight passengers,” the memo said.

However, in a separate status report filed by the Tamil Nadu government, it was submitted that the state has not prohibited international air travel services.“The return journey of Tamil people stranded in various countries continues in all four international airports in the state and through the sea ports of Tuticorin and Chennai,” P Senthilkumar, principal secretary to the public department of the state said in the report.

As on June 15, 61 flights from 17 different countries have brought 9,625 Indian nationals from abroad through the four international airports in the state. This apart, 1,369 have been brought back to Tamil Nadu through 2 ships from Colombo and Maldives, the report added. Besides, 33 more flights from various countries are scheduled to arrive in the state in the next two weeks alone, the state said. To this, additional advocate general SR Rajagopalan submitted that he would get further instructions on the issue. Recording the same, the court adjourned the plea to June 30.

The Centre says due to the move NRIs from the state are forced to land in neighbouring states and then proceed to their destinations in TN

Intense lockdown in Chennai, Madurai to continue till July 5

Intense lockdown in Chennai, Madurai to continue till July 5

General Curbs To Remain In TN Till July 31

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 30.06.2020

The TN government on Monday announced extension of the general lockdown until July 31with an aim to contain the Covid-19 surge. The government also extended the ongoing intense lockdown in Greater Chennai, including parts of Chengalpet, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts, besides Madurai corporation until July 5.

The government, however, decided to allow all industries, export units and private offices to function with 100% strength in the rest of the state from July 1. In the rural areas of Chengalpet, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Madurai districts it will open up from July 6. Tasmac outlets would be allowed to be kept open between 10am and 8pm in the rural areas of these three districts besides the rest of the state.

Total lockdown on all Sundays in July

It has also announced total lockdown in the state on all Sundays in July to break the chain of infection, while movement of public and private bus transport within the districts will remain suspended between July 1 and 15. Authorised fish, poultry and egg shops will be allowed in corporations, town and village panchayats. The government announced that e-pass would not be required for movement within the districts, while it is required for inter-state movement and inter-district movement. In the intense lockdown areas, the passes issued upto June 30couldbeuseduptoJuly 5.

In areas under intense lockdown, workers shall be accommodated inside the industry premises or nearby places.

On Monday, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami held discussions with public health experts on the way forward. “Lockdown is not the solution, whereas containment management is. Lockdown is requiredby balancing relaxation and restriction,” chief secretary K Shanmugam told TOI.

The governmentdecidedto go ahead with the extension of intense lockdown even as aggressive testing continued acrossthestate.AsCovidcases spiralled in Chennai and Madurai, the plan is to continue the intense lockdown which would help the administrative machinery get a breather to cope with the rising demand for services.

The spike in cases could be seen from the sharp rise in Tamil Nadu’s containment zones -- from 303 to 703 within a week ending June 26. Chennai, Salem, Madurai, Cuddalore, Tirupattur, Nagapattinam and Tiruvannamalai districts have seen an increase in containment zones as well. Only seven of the 37 districts have reported completion of containment, including The Nilgiris, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Trichy, Vellore, Perambalur, Karur and Ariyalur.