Streamline V-C search panels: Ex-V-C, Anna varsity

Streamline V-C search panels: Ex-V-C, Anna varsity

In his letter, he charged that powerful intermediaries used to influence the selection of VCs on the basis of caste, religion, political connections, and money power four years ago.

Published: 01st August 2021 03:30 AM |

Anna University (File Photo | EPS)

By Express News Service

COIMBATORE: Anna University former Vice-Chancellor (V-C) E Balagurusamy on Saturday appealed to Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit to streamline the working of the V-C search committee at the university to eliminate corrupt practices.

In his letter, he charged that powerful intermediaries used to influence the selection of VCs on the basis of caste, religion, political connections, and money power four years ago. “An eminent academician in Tamil Nadu said in a public forum that the price of the VC [post] rages from Rs 5 to 20 crore,” he said, adding that corruption was involved even in the appointment of the syndicate members.

Balagurusamy mooted a eight-point procedure to be followed in the selection and appointment of VCs. As part of the procedure, he said that the panel members should be of high standing with impeccable integrity. Before recommending the names to the Chancellor, the committee must obtain clearance from the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption and “integrity” certificates from the last employer. Further, the candidates must declare in advance that any attempt to influence the selection process would automatically disqualify them, he said.

Quit undermining States’ powers over education: MK Stalin

Quit undermining States’ powers over education: MK Stalin

CM writes to Union minister, objects to draft PG medical edu norms

Published: 01st August 2021 04:50 AM 

Chief Minister MK Stalin.

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The State government has raised strong objection to the Draft Post Graduation Medical Education Regulations released recently by the National Medical Commission. Chief Minister MK Stalin, in a letter to Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandavia, said the draft regulations intend to undermine the role of the States in the postgraduate medical education since their role in admission of students under their own State quota is sought to be unilaterally removed.

“It is unfortunate that such draft regulations have been formulated without a proper understanding of the predominant role of State Governments in this domain. The Union Government and the National Medical Council need to appreciate the fact that the States had heavily invested their resources to create most of the PG seats. Considering this, our State has consistently been opposed to such measures aimed at centralisation of States’ powers,” the CM said. He added that the proposed regulation is not only unacceptable but is also in contravention of the provisions in the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, governing the common counselling for the seats at the State level.

“In this connection, I would like to draw your kind attention to Section 11.2 of the draft PG Regulations, which attempts to centralise and designate the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India as the designated authority for counselling for State quota seats, he said, pointing out that the section is clearly contrary to the provision in Section 15 of the Main NMC Act, 2019, which explicitly mentions that “the designated authority of the State Government shall conduct the common counselling for the seats at the State level,” the Chief Minister added.

Noting that Tamil Nadu has consistently expressed objection to the proposed National Exit Test as well as the proposal to make it the basis of admissions to PG seats, Stalin said that the draft regulations are totally against the consistent and principled stand of our State government.

“Any hasty attempts, as brought out in the draft regulations, aimed at changing the present methodology of counselling for the State quota seats against the provision of the NMC Act and the proposal to make the National Exit test as the basis of PG admissions in future, should be immediately stopped,” he urged.

First-gen grads will get priority in govt jobs: CM

First-gen grads will get priority in govt jobs: CM

Chennai:01.08.2021

Chief minister M K Stalin on Saturday said the state government would give priority to first-generation graduates in jobs in the government sector and instructed authorities to develop training modules and courses in government training centres for youngsters to excel in competitive examinations.

Chairing a review meeting of officials in finance and human resources department at the secretariat, he instructed officials to take measures to help youngsters from the state clear competitive exams. To achieve it, right training programmes should be designed, he said.

Meanwhile, authorities should create awareness among youngsters about employment opportunities available in Union and state governments, he said. He stressed the need for special training for government employees to enhance the quality of service rendered to the public. For this, quality of training should improve at Anna Institute of Management and other government institutions. He asked senior bureaucrats to utilise existing facilities at the civil service training institute at Bhavanisagar to conduct online training for government employees to enhance their abilities. TNN

Only 23 of 8L students enroll for Class XII supplementary exam

Only 23 of 8L students enroll for Class XII supplementary exam

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:01.08.2021

Of the 8.16 lakh state board students who received their Class XII marks under the weightage system followed by the Tamil Nadu school education department, only 23 — all regular school students — have expressed their intention to appear for the supplementary exams saying they were not happy with their marks, school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi told reporters on Saturday.

“The school education department had announced that the students who are aggrieved with their marks under the weightage system need to write the written exam in all subjects and their marks in exams will be the final score. Due to this only a few students applied,” he said.

The supplementary exam for private candidates will be conducted from August 6 to19. “Including the late applicants, 45,654 students, mainly private candidates, will sit for the exams,” the minister added.

After declaring the Class XII results, the directorate of government examinations gave the opportunity for aggrieved students to apply for supplementary exams from July 23 to 27. The state government had given a weightage of 50% for Class X marks and 20% for Class XI and 30% for Class XII internal assessment and practical marks.

Asked about the reopening of schools, the minister said, “We will decide after getting the opinion of health experts.” The school education department had directed all teachers working in government schools to report for duty on August 2.

Meanwhile, many CBSE schools received complaints from parents that the marks awarded to their wards were not satisfactory. Around 100 parents who had enrolled their children at NEET coaching integrated programme at Velammal Group of Schools in Mogappair protested on Saturday complaining that their wards who scored high in Class X had received very low marks in Class XII.

“The school management assured the parents that they would discuss the issue with their teachers and would appeal to the board if needed to increase the score. The parents were asked to come on Monday,” Krishnaveni, a parent from the school said.

PROTEST OVER MARKS: Parents of students of a CBSE school in the city protested on the institute premises on Saturday, saying low marks were awarded to top scorers

Eateries shut at 9 places in Chennai

Eateries shut at 9 places in Chennai

Had Opened For Biz In Areas Where Curbs In Place

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:01.08.2021

About 40 restaurants and eateries were ordered to down shutters after they had opened for business on Saturday at nine locations in the city where Greater Chennai Corporation had announced a lockdown of markets and shops for the next ten days. Civic officials accompanied by police personnel went around these areas enforcing the lockdown.

The Chennai Hotels Association said the official communique from Greater Chennai Corporation did not include hotels in the list of business establishments that must be shutdown and appealed to the government to declare eateries an essential service and exempt them from the shutdown.

Association president Ravi said, "We have taken up the issue with Greater Chennai Corporation, seeking permission to continue to keep the restaurants open," he said, adding that the representatives will also be meeting the police in this regard.

On Friday, the civic body had announced closure of markets and shops at nine locations in the city for 10 days from July 31 in a bid to check the spike in Covid-19 cases. The areas include Ranganathan street, parts of North Usman Road, the area from Ratna Café to Bells Road in Zam Bazaar, Thiru-Vi-Ka-Park junction, the stretch from Anjaneya statue to Ambedkar statue in Red Hills, Kuralagam to Thanga Road junction on NSC Bose Road, Habibullah Raod, Pulipon Bazaar, Royapuram Market Kalmandapam Road, Royapuram water tank to Kamatchi Amman temple, and part of Aminijikarai market on Poonamallee high Road.

FIRST STEP: A health worker on Saturday collects swab samples for Covid-19 test during a fever camp at Usman Road, one of the places in T Nagar where the corporation has announced a lockdown of shops and other commercial establishments till August 9

Temples closed to devotees for 3 days

The Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HR&CE) department on Saturday announced that devotees will not be permitted to congregate in major ‘Amman’ and ‘Murugan’ temples in the state from August 1 to August 3 to offer prayers for Aadi Krithigai. Senior officials said the government has taken the decision in view of Covid-19 cases rising. However, pujas will continue in the temples, which include Vadapalani Andavar temple, Kandaswamy temple at Kandhakottam, and Padavattamman temple at Padi in the city. Every year, Aadi Krithigai is celebrated in a grand manner in the six abodes of Lord Muruga in the state — Palani, Tiruttani, Swamimalai, Thiruparangundram, Tiruchendur and Palamuthircholai. TNN

Interviews for Anna Univ VC post on Aug 9

Interviews for Anna Univ VC post on Aug 9

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:01.08.2021

Anna University vice-chancellor search committee, headed by Jawaharlal Nehru University vice-chancellor M Jagadish Kumar, will interview shortlisted candidates on August 9. Ten candidates, including five professors from Anna University and two from IIT Madras, were shortlisted from the 160-odd candidates from across the country who applied for the post, sources said.

Candidates are likely to be asked to present their vision for the state’s premier technical university, including their plans for bringing in funds and improving the research output, during the interview. Following the interview, the search panel will recommend three names to governor Banwarilal Purohit.

Other members on the panel are retired IAS officer Sheela Rani Chunkath and former vice-chancellor of Madras University S P Thyagarajan.

The panel invited applications from candidates with 20 years of teaching experience in universities, postgraduate colleges and research institutions and minimum 10 years of experience as a professor in the university system. The application window ended on June 30.

Anna University vice-chancellor M K Surappa completed his three-year tenure on April 11 and the varsity is being run by a three-member convener committee for the last three months.

Anna University professors urged the search panel and governor to select a candidate with impeccable character and high academic credentials as vicechancellor.

E Balagurusamy, former vice-chancellor of Anna University, proposed eight measures to the governor to make the VC selection process more transparent. He suggested that former VCs be included in the search panel, a publicity blitz to attract maximum suitable candidates, publication of bio-data of all applicants, disqualification of candidates who try to influence, obtaining a clearance certificate from DVAC for shortlisted candidates and integrity certificate from former employers. He also suggested that the list of recommended candidates be placed in public domain for at least a week before the appointment order is issued.

Ten candidates, including five professors from Anna University and two from IIT Madras, were shortlisted from 160-odd applicants from across the country

CM to Centre: Draft PG medical edu rules undermine state role

CM to Centre: Draft PG medical edu rules undermine state role

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:01.08.2021

Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin on Saturday wrote to Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya objecting to the draft Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations on the grounds that they sought to undermine the role of states.

The role of states in the admission of students under their own state quota is sought to be unilaterally removed, Stalin said. "It is unfortunate that such draft regulations have been formulated without a proper understanding of the current predominant role of state governments in this domain. The union government and the National Medical Council need to appreciate the fact that it is only the states which have heavily invested their own resources to create most of the PG seats," he said.

The CM pointed to Section 11.2 of the draft, which attempts to centralize and designate the directorate general of health services, ministry of health and family welfare, government of India, as the designated authority for counselling for State quota seats. This section is clearly contrary to the provision in the Section 15 of the Main NMC Act, 2019, which explicitly mentions that “the designated authority of the State Government shall conduct the common counselling for the seats at the state level”, he said.

Further, Section 10.1 and the sub-clauses under it are an attempt to introduce licentiate examination for enrolment in medical registers and making it serve as a NEET for admission to PG Courses.

"I am of the firm view that the status-quo should be maintained on the admissions for State quota PG admissions seats. I once again strongly reiterate our opposition to the draft Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2021, which hit at the very root of federalism," Stalin said.

The role of states in the admission of students under their own state quota is sought to be unilaterally removed, Stalin said in his letter to Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya