What’s NExT for medicos? What is the National Exit Test?

 What’s NExT for medicos? What is the National Exit Test? NExT refers to the final year medical undergraduate examination. Nandimath O V Dr Alexander Thomas Last Updated 27 February 2024, 02:59 IST 

Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/whats-next-for-medicos-2911251

Sivakumar faces flak for throwing a fan’s gift on the floor; fans call it ‘worst behaviour’

Sivakumar faces flak for throwing a fan’s gift on the floor; fans call it ‘worst behaviour’

ByHT Entertainment Desk

Feb 26, 2024 07:31 PM IST

A video of yesteryear actor Sivakumar, Suriya and Karthi's father, is doing rounds online, with him receiving flak for how he treated a fan at an event.

Veteran actor Sivakumar receives flak for how he behaved at an event in Chennai. The actor, Suriya and Karthi’s father, attended a book launch in the city. But more than the book, it is the incident that took place behind-the-scenes that drew everyone’s attention. A video shot by ABP Nadu is now doing the rounds online. (Also Read: Jahnvi Kapoor confirmed for Suriya’s Hindi film)This is not the first time Sivakumar got into trouble for his behaviour

The incident

In the video, Sivakumar can be seen reacting with scorn towards a fan who wanted to give him a gift. An old man can be seen approaching him with a smile on his face and a shawl in his hand, but Sivakumar was in no mood for it. He can be seen grabbing the shawl and throwing it on the ground before making his way through the crowd with his entourage. When someone handed the fan the shawl, Sivakumar can be seen refusing to take it from him again and leaving.

Fans have called the behaviour ‘worst,’ with one writing, “@Suriya_offl His actions directly anger others towards you, resulting in a loss of respect for your family. #Sivakumar #Suriya Don’t extend invitations to individuals of this nature for public functions. Just ignore them and withhold respect. #Tamilcinema #Ajithkumar𓃵 #Vijay. (sic)”

Not the first time

This is not the first time Sivakumar has lost his cool at an event. In 2018, he made headlines when he knocked down a fan’s phone from their hand when they tried to click a selfie with him. Similar to this instance, that video had also gone viral, with many criticising his actions. In a video message, he later apologised, stating, “Since many felt I should not have acted in such a manner, I express my deepest regret and apologise wholeheartedly.” He also called the fan taking the selfie ‘an invasion of privacy’ given that his permission wasn’t asked. He also bought the fan a new phone.

About Sivakumar

Sivakumar is a veteran actor who debuted in the 1960s, playing everything from protagonists to antagonists and supporting roles. He acted in around 190 films and has also taken up roles in television. Even though he stopped acting in the early 2000s, he is often invited to events.

Medical Colleges Charge Rs 1 Crore But Won't Pay Stipend To MBBS Interns? Either Pay Them Or Don't Have Internship:

Medical Colleges Charge Rs 1 Crore But Won't Pay Stipend To MBBS Interns? Either Pay Them Or Don't Have Internship:

 Supreme Court Gyanvi Khanna 26 Feb 2024 9:18 PM Listen to this Article The Supreme Court on Monday (February 6) expressed concerns at the complaints of MBBS interns that medical colleges are not adequately paying them stipend. A bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Prasanna B Varale was hearing a batch of writ petitions filed by medical students. Justice Dhulia orally

https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/supreme-court-middle-income-group-legal-aid-society-executive-committee-resignation-senior-advocates-250556?infinitescroll=1

Colleges allowed to raise MBBS seats illegally, Delhi cops probe ‘scam’

Colleges allowed to raise MBBS seats illegally, Delhi cops probe ‘scam’

TNN | Feb 24, 2024, 07.10 AM IST

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police is learnt to be investigating at least two senior officials of the National Medical Commission (NMC) and four medical colleges in connection with an alleged scam in which certain colleges were permitted to increase the number of seats in MBBS, MD and other courses in an illegal manner.

The scam involved colleges seeking to increase their capacity being “allowed” to do so on the strength of “letters of permission” which were forged but were made to appear genuine by the use of official email id through which the institutions concerned were intimated. Those involved also made changes on the website to make the permissions appear genuine.

Delhi Police is likely to make arrests soon, a senior cop said.The cops suspect a quid pro quo, mostly monetary consideration, was happening in return for an increase in seats. “However, the details can be confirmed only after arrests are made and suspects are interrogated,” said another official privy to the investigation.

The fraudulent activity was detected by the commission last August after which it revoked the permission letters and carried out an inquiry. It also filed a complaint with police, the source added.

Police then filed an FIR under IPC’s sections pertaining to criminal conspiracy and cheating besides Section 66C of the Information Technology Act.

In his complaint, AK Singh, deputy secretary at the medical assessment & rating board (MARB) of the commission, reported that forged Letters of Permission (LOPs) were issued to various medical colleges through the official email ID (ds.marb@nmc.org.in), which belongs to an official of the rank of deputy secretary who had been earlier looking after the affairs at MARB.

The official concerned was shocked when he, during the course of an internal inquiry, was told about the letters he had purportedly sent allowing the colleges to increase the intake of students for various courses. The probe also revealed that another official had changed the website to suggest that the “permissions” were genuine.

The commission subsequently issued a notice last year in August asking colleges to not consider these permission letters as valid.

In their communication, which was also published on their website, NMC said: “It has come to the notice of MARB that a forged/fake letter has been issued to a college regarding renewal of permission for MBBS course on behalf of member/president, MARB whereas another three letters dated 12.07.2023 and 13.07.2023 were issued to another college for increase of seats in MS-Ophthalmology for 5 to 10 seats, MD-General Medicine from 7 to 24 and MS-ENT for 1 to 4 seats.”


“It is clarified that the said letters have not been issued by the member/president, MARB. These letters are forged/fake and cannot be considered as valid permission from MARB. The above facts are brought to the notice of all stakeholders and the general public to not take any action based on the fake/forged letter. Appropriate action is being taken in accordance with the law,” the notice further read.

Medical college is not paying full stipend to PG students, says RTI activist

Medical college is not paying full stipend to PG students, says RTI activist

February 23, 2024 07:41 pm | Updated 07:41 pm IST - KALABURAGI

THE HINDU BUREAU

Stating that the Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College run by Hyderabad Karnataka Education Society (HKES) has not been paying full stipend to postgraduate doctors for the last several years, Right to Information (RTI) activist Sharanabasappa Ambesinghe demanded that the Kalaburagi Police register a case against the college and investigate the irregularities.

Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi recently, Mr. Ambesinghe produced a memorandum written by postgraduation students to HKES president, demanding regular payment of stipend.

Postgraduation students in the college are paid ₹45,000 stipend for the first year, ₹50,000 for the second year and ₹55,000 for third year. Mr. Ambesinghe said that technically, the stipend is shown as fully paid on paper, but the students are receiving only a small amount of it.

He said that the college deposits stipend amount in bank accounts of students. However, it later withdraws the amount from their accounts through cheques collected from all of them in advance. And, the college has it on record to prove that the stipend amount has been paid regularly.

Every month, the college has shown credited ₹45,000 stipend for each student of first year but it has later withdrawn ₹37,000 from their accounts. A sum of ₹50,000 a month has been shown credited into accounts of each student of second year but the college has withdrawn ₹40,000 each later. Similarly, third year students have received ₹55,000 each as stipend and later their accounts have been debited ₹43,000 each, he said.

Mr. Ambesinghe said that a complaint was made against the college about irregularities in stipend payment for postgraduate students on February 8. But the police have failed to register the case yet, he added.

Madurai Kamaraj University protests: Fund release awaits annulment of illegal appointments: TN Edu Secretary

Madurai Kamaraj University protests: Fund release awaits annulment of illegal appointments: TN Edu Secretary

The MKU has been reeling under a financial crisis for the last five years due to over 6,000 audit objections.

Jeyalakshmi Ramanujam

Updated on:

23 Feb 2024, 7:52 am

MADURAI: As protests staged by employees and pensioners of the Madurai Kamaraj University(MKU) seeking release of their salaries and pensions for December and January entered its seventh day on Thursday, Principal Secretary to Higher Education Department A Karthik said that disbursal of funds is contingent on a report from the university registrar annulling appointments made through dubious means.

The MKU has been reeling under a financial crisis for the last five years due to over 6,000 audit objections. As a result, the higher education department stopped grants, and the university failed to generate income sources. This deprived the employees and pensioners of their remuneration for December and January, and they went on an indefinite strike.

For MKU Joint Action Committee Coordinator S Muthiah, the delay in payment has been a recurring issue. "If February is added, then we are yet to get salaries and pensions for three months. It is a blow to the dignity of employees and pensioners since we face difficulties in paying the house rent, groceries, children's education, and EMIs. It affects our mental and physical health. We work for a state-run university, and yet every month is a challenge," he told TNIE.

Muthiah added that despite the strike entering its seventh day, the protesters were not visited by MKU Vice-Chancellor J Kumar, or Registrar(i/c) M Ramakrishnan. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Minister for Higher Education K Kannappan also failed to address the issue.

On the condition of anonymity, an official from MKU said that the department has asked MKU authorities to fulfil certain conditions, including taking action as per the recommendation of the high-level committee led by retired justice Akbar Ali, and submitting a report to the government. Karthik has also instructed them to issue necessary orders, specifying the monetary benefits extended to those found ineligible as per the report and recover it from them, since it is mandatory. The authorities, however, have allegedly tried to give CAS promotions to such appointees.

Speaking to TNIE, Karthik said that the pending funds for MKU employees and pensioners are under process, and added that it will be released once the department receives action taken report on several issues, including cancellation of appointments made through dubious means.

In response, V-C Kumar said that four individuals, who worked as casual labourers with the MKU, got orders from the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court to reinstate them. After the department sought details of those people, Registrar (i/c) Ramakrishnan travelled to Chennai along with the requested information.

Anna University to shut 12 colleges with less than five per cent enrolment; students to be shifted

Anna University to shut 12 colleges with less than five per cent enrolment; students to be shifted

The varsity will not allow these colleges to admit students for academic year 2024-25, admissions for which will begin in June.

Binita Jaiswal

Updated on:
19 Feb 2024, 8:26 am

CHENNAI: Anna University has decided to close down 12 of its affiliated engineering colleges owing to very low enrolment rate. These colleges, located in various districts, have not managed to fill even 5% of its allotted seats in the last four years.

The students in the 12 colleges will be shifted to other colleges.

“Despite repeated warnings, the colleges were not able to improve their enrolments. Colleges functioning with a handful of students will certainly not be able to provide quality education to students. For betterment of the students, the syndicate body of the university has decided to close these colleges,” said Anna University vice-chancellor R Velraj, adding that notices to the colleges for closure will be sent soon.

“The Directorate of Technical Education (DoTE) will be apprised about the situation. As per the rules, DoTE will facilitate the shifting of students from closed colleges to other colleges,” said Velraj.

The varsity will not allow these colleges to admit students for academic year 2024-25, admissions for which will begin in June. According to officials, the varsity had decided to shut down 25 colleges which had less than 10% enrolments.

However, in the syndicate meeting, held recently, it was decided to act only against the colleges with less than 5% admissions as closing 25 colleges in one go will affect the revenue of the university.

The university has decided to provide conditional approval to 87 colleges to operate. These 87 colleges have less than 25% admissions. “The colleges will be directed to improve their enrolments. These colleges should not compromise with basic facilities and infrastructure like faculty strength, laboratory or classrooms and should not compromise with the quality of education,” said a varsity official.

The lacunae in these colleges were found during the inspection conducted by Anna University last year. However, no action was taken against any of the colleges.

“Last year, one more chance was given to the colleges to improve things. But this year, the syndicate is in no mood to show any leniency towards these 12 colleges. They will not be allowed to operate,” said a senior faculty member. As many as 494 colleges in the state are affiliated to Anna University.