Monsoon to gain pace from tomorrow, city set for soaking

Monsoon to gain pace from tomorrow, city set for soaking

Early Morning Spells Could Mark Start Of Wet Phase

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:03.11.2020 

The brief lull in the northeast monsoon may be over in a day.

The season would pick up pace over the state by incoming strong easterlies as weathermen have forecast thunderstorms and moderate spells over the city during late nights or early mornings followed by day spells in interior districts starting from November 4. Weather enthusiasts said the intermittent and widespread rainfall, which would continue over many parts of the state including Chennai till November 8 will be followed by remnants of cyclone Goni and the global climate phenomenon called Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) are likely to keep monsoon season active through the month.

While the city skies are likely to be partly cloudy on Tuesday, monsoon could pick up pace on Wednesday as IMD has forecast, “The sky condition is likely to be partly cloudy. Thunderstorms with light rain are likely in some areas. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 34°C and 25°C for the next 48 hours.”

“This is likely due to a cyclonic circulation which is closer to Tamil Nadu coast and southwest Bay of Bengal,” an IMD official said.

While interior and western districts like Madurai, Dindigul, Coimbatore and Theni are likely to get thunderstorm with light to moderate rain on Tuesday, IMD has forecast similar rainfall pattern to occur at many places over south Tamil Nadu, interior Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Puducherry and Karaikal area on November 4 and  5.

Weather enthusiasts said an easterly wave or an elongated area of low air pressure moving from east to west could bring regular early morning spells to the city when low level winds enter the trough this wave and converge resulting in rainfall. As the easterly wave penetrates interior areas during the day, winds will converge bringing rainfall to interior districts. This may last between November 4 and 8.

Blogger Pradeep John said the next round of spells will be likely around November 10 when remnants of Cyclone Goni, dubbed as the world’s strongest cyclone in 2020, which slammed the Philippines, would enter Indian region bringing rainfall. By that time, MJO- the eastward moving disturbance of clouds, rainfall, winds and pressure that travels across the tropics and returns to its starting point in 30 to 60 days- will enter phase-2 and 3. In this phase, enhanced convective rainfall moves slowly eastwards over Africa, Indian Ocean and parts of the Indian subcontinent. “It will enter this region in the second week of November. Monsoon will stay active through this month and most of December,” he said.

WET DAYS AHEAD: While the city skies are likely to be partly cloudy on Tuesday, monsoon could pick up pac

Masks, vacant seats will be the norm for now at cinema halls

Masks, vacant seats will be the norm for now at cinema halls

03.11.2020

Yogesh.Kabirdoss@timesgroup.com

When cinema halls open on November 10 after more than seven months, you will have to wear masks throughout the show. There will be empty seats on either side. And big-budget releases are unlikely, at least for a while, as the industry will wait to see how many people turn up.

If you go as a family, you may get to sit next to one another, but not otherwise. So what if you turn up with your significant other? Hope for the best. Theatre owners are clear that they will observe the government’s rules on sanitation and social distancing. Only food and beverages in packets will be sold and toilets will be cleaned frequently. All seats will be wiped after each show. That’s what the more than 200 cinema halls in Chennai and suburbs have planned.

According to Abirami Ramanathan, Chennai city president of Tamil Nadu Theatre and Multiplex Owners Association, most cinema halls will reopen next week. Ticket prices won’t be hiked though only half the seats can be sold for a show, he added. In Chennai, the seating capacity of theatres ranges from 300 to 1,200.

Unlike previous Diwalis, movies of popular stars may not hit the screens this time, opening the window for small budget movies. Co-Founder of Qube Cinema Senthil Kumar said films produced with a budget under Rs 4 crores are likely to hit the screens. “Had the cinema halls reopened a little earlier, the prospects of big budget movies being released this Diwali would have been brighter,” he said.

However, a producer, who also owns a theatre, said release of big budget movies cannot be delayed much more as producers pay huge interest paid on loans. “If a leading artist’s movie is screened, it will be a boost for their fans and they will flock the cinema halls,” he added.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON: Cinema halls will open across the state on November 10

Reopening of schools: Students excited, but parents cautious

CONCERNS REMAIN

Reopening of schools: Students excited, but parents cautious

Komal.Gautham@timesgroup.com

03.11.2020 

Fourteen-year-old S Nithya is excited after hearing the news of schools reopening this month as she has been longing to meet her friends. However, her mother Prathiba Selvaraj is worried.

“It is not safe. We are sure that children won’t be able to wear masks for such a long time and teachers cannot focus on their safety. If the schools ask us our consent, we will say no but if left with no option, we will send them,” she said.

Epidemiologist Dr Prabhdeep Kaur, mother of a teenager, said continued enforcement of protocols will be the key. “The number of cases has reduced and this is the right time to run a trial by opening schools and give children the opportunity to have lessons with teachers. But the government should ensure that standard operating procedures are followed at schools. Outdoor classes should be an option, hours should be fewer. And if cases rise, schools can be closed,” she said.

Corporation and government school teachers said about 75% of the students were willing to attend school. “We are happy as we haven’t been able to reach every student. We have begun preparations to reopen schools. We are awaiting government confirmation on guidelines. We were given one set of SOPs in September and are following it. We will provide mid-day meal as well and ensure children are nourished,” said assistant education officer of Greater Chennai Corporation V Munian.

Online classes may be more convenient for students in private schools, but those in rural areas and slums have little or no access to them, said V Sridhar, a former corporation school teacher. “However, constant vigil is required as government and corporation schools lack facilities,” he said. He said facilities of government schools should be audited before reopening and many don’t have functional fans and proper ventilation.

Experts said non-ventilated spaces spread the virus faster and teachers could turn spreaders if schools reopen. Anuradha Prasad, a parent, said studies have revealed that children harbour more Sars Cov 2 virus than adults.

“Even if it doesn’t affect them, they will become carriers and infect the elderly at home. And in winter other viral infections, dengue cases and respiratory illness are common. So the timing may not be right,” she said.

‘Decision to open schools ill-advised’

‘Decision to open schools ill-advised’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

03.11.2020

In a letter to state chief secretary K Shanmugam, former IAS officer Ashok Vardhan Shetty said the “decision to reopen schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu in two weeks is ill-advised”.

Shetty said it may “set at naught all the good work done so far”. Terming the move as a case of ‘haste makes waste’, Shetty said, “From the images of the milling crowds of Diwali shoppers, it is evident that a spike in Covid-19 cases is just around the corner. This is likely to be the case till all the festivals including Christmas and Pongal are over.”

Shetty cited the latest lockdown in the UK and said, “India/ Tamil Nadu cannot afford a second lockdown after what we have seen of the disastrous consequences of the first.

Moreover, November-December is the season for northeast monsoon and possible floods when schools and colleges may have to be closed for some of the days. It is also the season for various winter illnesses.”

Shetty said reopening of schools may be deferred “till after Pongal next year”.

Graft in paddy buying: Hang corrupt officers, says Madras HC

Graft in paddy buying: Hang corrupt officers, says Madras HC

Kaushik.Kannan@timesgroup.com

Madurai:03.11.2020

In a strong observation against corruption, the Madras high court on Monday said corrupt officials should be hanged, and only a death penalty would weed out corruption.

Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice B Pugalendhi of the Madurai bench of the HC became furious when they were informed that farmers were at the mercy of officials at paddy procurement centres and that corruption by more than 100 officials was identified during inspection. “Corruption is like cancer and is fast spreading. Officials involved in corrupt practices should be hanged. Death penalty should be awarded to weed out corruption,” the judges observed, expressing shock at officials demanding bribe from poor farmers.

HC asks about revisiting anti-corruption laws

When a public interest writ petition of activist-advocate A P Suryaprakasam highlighting corruption at the government’s paddy procurement centres in delta districts came up for further hearing on Monday, first the government flatly denied any irregularities at these centres.

However, a counter-affidavit filed by managing director of Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) stated officials were demanding ₹30 to ₹40 per bag for procurement of paddy. The affidavit said six special teams had conducted 1,725 inspections at procurement centres and action was taken against 105 officials found indulging in corrupt practices.

The judges pointed out the contradiction in the government stand and directed it to file a detailed affidavit explaining the nature of corruption of the 105 officials, number of FIRs registered against them and money seized from them.

Citing media reports that ₹2 lakh unaccounted cash was seized from a procurement centre in Tiruvallur district, the judges said the raid and seizure would prove the contention of the PIL-petitioner, who stated that officials were demanding bribe for procurement.

In his PIL, Suryaprakasam sought a direction to the state government to establish adequate number of paddy procurement centres across the state so that the produce could be procured from farmers without any delay.

During the previous hearing, the court shot a series of queries and sought details such as the number of paddy procurement centres in the state, whether temporary shelters have been put up to safeguard paddy during rains and the number of paddy bags damaged in rains. The court also sought to know whether or not officers demanded bribe from farmers and whether the authorities were procuring paddy from private traders instead of genuine farmers.

Adjourning further hearing by a week, the judges said based on Justice A K Rajan Commission’s report, the state had passed a GO in 2010 on holding officials at every level accountable. They directed the state government to explain the steps taken with regard to the GO. They also sought the Centre’s response on revisiting the Prevention of Corruption Act provisions, so as to award higher penalty to officials involved in corrupt practices.

The court also asked the state for details of the 105 officials who sought bribe and money seized from them

Don’t need IoE status for Anna University, TN govt tells Centre

Don’t need IoE status for Anna University, TN govt tells Centre

‘VC’s Proposal On Finance Unsustainable’

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:3.11.2020

Rejecting a financial proposal submitted by vice-chancellor M K Surappa regarding Anna University, the state government has informed the Centre that the university, the premier engineering institution of the state, does not require Institute of Eminence (IoE) status. Tamil Nadu has also withdrawn its proposal submitted to the Centre in 2017 regarding the status, highly placed sources said.

A five-member ministerial committee constituted to study the issue of IoE status for the university and the the institution’s financial sustainability in December last year, has recommended against conferring the status recently. This comes in the wake of an uproar over Surappa’s proposal to the Centre that the university can generate revenue through its own resources. “The state government conveyed to the Union education ministry (erstwhile HRD ministry) on Thursday the ministerial committee’s final report. The government also said Surappa’s proposal is not financially sustainable, since there is no chance of the institution generating revenue on its own,” a source said.

Will do with our own funds, what IoE status can do, says TN govt

Anna univ running on deficit budget

Higher education minister K P Anbalagan told TOI, “We will do with our state funds whatever the IoE status can do. Don’t forget that the Centre has offered IoE status to Anna University because of its reputation,” When contacted, Surappa said he had no clue about the state’s rejection of his proposal. “I don’t know about it,” he said. Surappa had written to the Centre on June 2 that the varsity could generate ₹314 crore per year (₹1,570 crore in five years) through internal resources. The varsity will not be indenting for extra grants other than its annualblock grants and additional grants and therefore the IoE status should be retained, he said.

The state sought an explanation from the VC after controversy erupted over his financial proposal. “The state informed the Centre that the amount Surappa had talked about, included surplus of affiliation and examination feefrom affiliatedcolleges. This cannot be diverted for the IoE status, it said. The varsity is run on a deficit budget estimated at₹349.74croreduring the last fiscal,” the source said.

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