2 3 4 june 1:offi cials page vaccination drive must turn
TRANSCRIPT
RNI No. 30540/77CB/005/2021-23 Regd No.TN/WR/CB/005/WPP/2018-20 Founder Editor : A.E. Solomon Appadurai . Editor: M.N.Sudhan Appadurai . Vol.44 - No. 47. Pages 4 . Rs. 5.00
TURN INTO PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT - STALINVaccination drive must
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Some sunshine
Clear to partly cloudy
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NGO donates Rs.35 lakh to GEMCH
All efforts to ensure uninterrupted supply of milk
Centre's decision on class XII exams by June 1:Offi cials Page Page
But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound - Romans 5.20
OUTSTATION Thursday , May 27 , 2021 COIMBATORE Wednesday , May 26 , 2021
TN govt shuffles bureaucrats- 21 IAS officers transferred CHENNAI MAY 26
The Tamil Nadu government has reorganised the bureaucrats of signifi cant departments thereby 21 IAS offi cers were transferred on Tuesday.
According to the order, K Gopal, Secretary of Animal Husbandry Department, has been transferred and posted as Secretary of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj replacing Hansraj Verma.
IAS offi cer and Principal Secretary of Tamil Nadu Small Tea Growers' Industrial Cooperative Tea Factories Federation Limited (INDCOSERVE) Supriya Sahu has been transferred and posted as Principal Secretary to Government, Environment and Forests Department in the place of Sandeep Saxena.
Jothi Nirmalasamy has been posted as Secretary to Government, Commercial Taxes & Registration Department, which was held by Dr Beela Rajesh. Jothi Nirmalasamy was earlier holding the post of Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women. Dheeraj Kumar, who was Principal Secretary
to Government School Education Department, has been transferred and posted as Principal Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department. Dheeraj Kumar is replacing Apoorva.
Karkarla Usha is replacing Dheeraj Kumar as Principal Secretary to Government, School Education Department. She was Principal Secretary/Chairperson & Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited.
Sandeep Saxena, who was Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Environment and Forests Department has been transferred and posted as Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Public Works Department in place of Dr Manivasan.
Principal Secretary/Commissioner of Treasuries and Accounts Kumar Jayant has been posted vice Atulya Misra as Principal Secretary to Government, Revenue and Disaster Management Department.Hitesh Kumar S Makwana, Principal Resident
Commissioner-I of Tamil Nadu government in New Delhi, is posted as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development replacing D Karthikeyan who has been appointed as Secretary of Highways Department.
Apoorva, Principal Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department has been transferred and posted as Principal Secretary to Government, Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi Department.
A Karthik, Secretary of Highways, is transferred and posted as Secretary of Backward classes Welfare replacing B Chandramohan, who has been posted as Tourism Secretary.
C Samayamoorthy, Secretary of Transport Department, has been transferred and posted as Secretary of Agriculture Department.Kirlosh Kumar, MD, Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board, is transferred and posted as Secretary of Labour Welfare Department replacing Mohammed Nasimuddin. V Arun Roy, Special Secretary to Industries Department,
has been transferred and posted as Secretary to MSME Department replacing Mangat Ram Sharma.
Dayanand Kataria, Secretary of Cooperation and Food Department, is transferred and posted as Secretary of Transport Department.
Dharmendra Pratap Yadav, Chairman and MD of Overseas Manpower Corporation, has been transferred and posted as Secretary of Energy Department. Mythili K Rajendran, MD of Co Optex, has been transferred and posted as Secretary to Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department replacing S Swarna.
Shambu Kallolikar, Secretary of Handlooms Department, has been transferred and posted as Secretary of Social Welfare Department replacing S Madhumathi.
R Lalvena, Commissioner of Social Defence has been transferred and posted as Secretary of Differently-abled Welfare Department replacing C Vijayaraja Kumar.
Coimbatore records 3,632 COVID cases on Tuesday COIMBATORE MAY 26
3,632 people have been confi rmed to have corona infection in Coimbatore on Tuesday.
The number of corona infections in the Coimbatore district is increasing day by day. According to a report released by the Tamil Nadu Health Department on Tuesday, 3,632 people in Coimbatore have been confi rmed to have corona infection in a single day. This brings the number of corona patients in Coimbatore to 1,46,805. In addition, 24 people died from the corona infection. The death toll rose to 1,048. At the same time, 2,689 people recovered from the coronavirus infection and returned home, bringing the total number of survivors to 1,11,480. Currently, 34,253 people are being treated at ESI and private hospitals.
Rs 10 lakhs ex gratia for journalists who die of COVID: MK Stalin CHENNAI MAY 26
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday announced that the ex gratia given for the families of working journalists who die due to COVID 19 has been raised from Rs 5 lakhs to 10 lakhs.
The coronavirus has created a huge health issue across the globe and journalists play a major role in creating awareness among
the masses. They are working in a diffi cult situation to perform their professional duties, the chief minister said.
An offi cial statement from the Chief Minister’s Offi ce said that the Chief Minister has ordered to raise the incentive given for journalists, photographers, videographers from Rs 3000 to Rs 5000. They can vail their incentives by providing any one of the proofs authorised
by the government. Likewise, the Chief
Minister has also raised the compassionate ex gratia to the journalists who die due to COVID-19 from Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs. The legal heirs of those who die due to the coronavirus will be given the money. The order is issued after considering the requests made by the media fraternity as they are risking their lives amidst the surging pandemic.
Vaccine absolutely important to save lives, defeat Covid: PM Modi NEW DELHI MAY 26
Describing COVID-19 as a "once-in-a-lifetime" pandemic that has brought tragedy and sufferings at doorsteps of many and caused huge economic impact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that the planet will not be the same after this and the events in future will be remembered as either pre or post-Covid. Delivering the keynote address on the occasion of "Vesak Global Celebrations" on Buddha Purnima, Modi noted that the pandemic has impacted every nation but added that there have been many noteworthy developments which strengthen our strategy to fi ght it. "Most importantly, we have the vaccine which is absolutely important to save lives and defeat the pandemic," he said, asserting that the emergence of jabs
within a year of the COVID-19 outbreak shows the power of human determination and tenacity. India is proud of its scientists for developing vaccines, Modi said, and also saluted healthcare and frontline workers for risking their lives to save others. Offering condolences to those who have suffered and lost near and dear ones in the pandemic, the prime minister said he grieved with them. In COVID-19,
the humanity has faced its worst crisis in decades and has not seen a pandemic like this for a century, he said. On the occasion, Modi also highlighted the issues of climate change and terrorism, saying one must not lose sight of the other challenges faced by humanity while fi ghting the pandemic. With the prime ministers of Nepal and Sri Lanka and the secretary general of International Buddhist Confederation
in attendance at the virtual event, Modi gave a call for all those who believe in humanity to come together and defeat terrorism and radicalisation.
The life of Gautama Buddha was about peace, harmony and co-existence, he noted, adding that there are still forces whose existence depends on spreading hate, terror and mindless violence.
Such forces do not believe in liberal democratic principles, he added, according to a statement.
Referring to the issue of climate change, Modi said the reckless lifestyle of the present generation is threatening future generations, and said our planet should not remain wounded. For India, sustainable living is not only about right words but also about right actions, he said.
Cyclone Yaas Makes Landfall In Odisha, May Move To Jharkhand By Midnight BHUVANESHVER MAY 26
Landfall of cyclone Yaas began at around 9 am near Dhamra port in Odisha's Bhadrak district with offi cials saying the maximum impact will be Balasore and Bhadrak districts. The offi cials have also said that the landfall process is likely to be over by 1 pm. Cyclone Yaas pounded the beach towns in north Odisha and neighbouring West Bengal as it hit the coast around 9 am on Wednesday with a wind speed of 130-140 kmph, inundating the low-lying areas amid a storm surge, offi cials said. The
location of the landfall was north of Dhamra in Odisha's Bhadrak district and 50 km south of Balasore, close to Bahanaga block, on the coast, they said. The wind speed during landfall was at 130-140 kmph, gusting to 155 kmph, as per Doppler radar data. "The landfall process is likely to be over by 1 pm. The maximum
impact will be in Balasore and Bhadrak districts," Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena said. The sea will remain rough till Thursday and the accompanying rain will continue, he said.
The wind will slow down by the evening and the cyclone is likely to leave Odisha for Jharkhand by midnight,
Jena said. Odisha has shifted 5.8 lakh people to safer places,while West Bengal has moved 15 lakh people ahead of the cyclone. There was no report of any major damage in Odisha though some incidents of trees getting uprooted have taken place, Jena said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said most parts of the state were affected by the cyclone and the rain it brought along. She urged the people of the state, particularly those in Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Paschim Medinipur, Howrah, Hooghly, Purulia and Naida, to stay indoors.
TN shifts focus to Coimbatore region as cases spiralCHENNAI MAY 26
Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan told that focus has shifted towards the western region including Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode. However, the senior bureaucrat said: "The drop in numbers in the northern region, including Chennai, is preliminary and we cannot guarantee that it's a permanent reduction. "We have in fact shifted our focus towards western Tamil Nadu including Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Erode as the cases are spiralling in these areas." He said, "We have advised the Coimbatore district administration to take containment measures which we took in Chennai and got results." The Coimbatore district has been recording a steep increase in the number of cases ever since May 1.
On May 1, the fresh cases were 1,257 while on May 25 it was 3,632. The active case count in the same period has jumped fi ve times from 7,288 on May 1 to 34,253 on May 25. In Coimbatore district alone, around 21,000 patients are kept under home quarantine. Steps have been taken to reduce the number of active cases by creating
more Covid care centres with oxygen concentrators and establishing zero delay wards among others. Experts have opined that to overcome the shortage of beds with oxygen facility, more Covid care centres with oxygen concentrators have to established. The Coimbatore district has around 13,000 beds in government and private facilities and Covid care centres. A Covid care centre is to be established at Coimbatore Government Arts College and it will be have 200 oxygen bedded facility. This centre, according to Coimbatore district administration sources, will be used as a step down centre for patients whose oxygen saturation has improved after getting treatment at Coimbatore Government Medical College Hospital.
CHENNNAI MAY 26Chief Minister MK Stalin
on Wednesday inspected the Nemam Primary Health Center in Tiruvallur district. Vaccination work is currently underway. Vaccination of persons above 18 years of age is in progress at the Nemam Primary Health Center in the Tiruvallur District.
It was inaugurated by Chief Minister MK Stalin. Speaking on the occasion, Stalin said, “All people need to be vaccinated if they want to overcome the corona spread. The Government of Tamil Nadu is actively raising awareness. We continue to advise public welfare offi cers and all-district administration authorities that the task of vaccinating everyone should be carried
out on a wartime basis. The Government of Tamil Nadu is working tirelessly to prevent the spread of corona infection and to protect
those affected by the disease. We need to break the chain of disease transmission to prevent infection. That is why a full curfew has been
imposed. Its benefi ts are currently coming. This is what medical experts say.The spread of this corona infection in cities including Chennai
is gradually declining. It is hoped that the full benefi ts of the media will be available in 2 or 3 days. All people must stay indoors adhering to the curfew rules.
Don’t come out unnecessarily. The Government of Tamil Nadu continues to provide ample medical infrastructure facilities to protect those affected by the epidemic”. “New bed facilities have been developed. We have now created a situation where there is no shortage of oxygen. Adequate beds are ready. Oxygen requirements are also adequate. The most important thing in protecting people from coronavirus is the vaccine. An unprecedented number of 2,24,544 people were vaccinated in a single
day yesterday. We continue to insist on increasing the vaccine quota for Tamil Nadu,” Stalin said.
The CM further said that Tamil Nadu has 3.14 lakh vaccines in stock for those under 44 years of age. He added that the vaccine wastage in Tamil Nadu has come down from 6 per cent to 1 per cent in the last two weeks. “It is planned to purchase the vaccine through a global
tender. Vaccine production is also being planned,” said the chief minister while he insisted that the government has planned to turn the vaccination drive into a huge people's movement.
So he urges everyone to come forward and vaccinate voluntarily.
He then said that the decision to extend the curfew will be taken after consultation.
Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday inspected the Nemam Primary Health Center in Tiruvallur district. Vaccinati on work is currently
underway. Vaccinati on of persons above 18 years of age is in progress at the Nemam Primary Health
Center in the Tiruvallur District.It was inaugurated by Chief Minister MK Stalin.
2
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WEDNESDAY 26 MAY 2021 COIMBATORE
ERODE, MAY 26,All ration shops started
functioning I'm Erode district from 8am to 12 noon on Tuesday as per the guidelines of the government.
The government announced distribution of fi rst phase of corona relief of Rs 2000 since May 15th.
Many out of 7,13,190 ration card holders in 1152 ration shops in the district got the relief. In this situation, the
government announced total lockdown from May 24 to 31.
Thus all the ration shops were closed the day before yesterday.
Following this, the government announced opening of the shops from Tuesday. So, public observed the social gap and bought goods at the ration shop.
Similarly, those who did not get the relief amount of Rs. 2,000 and those who were in corona isolation area went to get it yesterday.
Ration shops start functioning
ERODE, MAY 26, As a full lockdown
has been imposed from Monday, restrictions have been tightened.
SP P Thangathurai has said that vehicles would be confi scated and stern action would be taken if they roamed outside in violation of the curfew.
Accordingly, 42 temporary check posts were set up in the district where the police were engaged for security operations.
Police also conducted intensive vehicle searches in areas like Bull Fight Statue Junction, Solar, Bus stand, GH, PS Park and Ring Road in Erode town.
Despite the e-registration, the vehicles were allowed to proceed after a rigorous inquiry. Despite the full curfew, large numbers of people roamed in two-wheelers and four-wheelers as usual.
They were arrested and interrogated by police. They made some excuses.
Police subsequently confi scated their vehicles, fi led a case and fi ned them.
Those who did not wear a face mask and violated the corona prevention norms were also fi ned.
Thousands of cases were registered across the district on Monday for violating the rules during a full curfew.
A fi ne of Rs 5 lakh was imposed.
A total of 1,200 vehicles were confi scated in a single day yesterday across the district for roaming outside unnecessarily during the curfew.
Similarly, a case was registered against 30 persons who did not observe social gap and were Rs 15,000.
In this situation, the police have been engaged in an intensive vehicle search for the 2nd day on Tuesday.
1200 vehicles seized for violating curfew
Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Offi ce, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh convening a high level urgent meeting on
COVID-19 situation with the Health Secretaries of all the eight North Eastern States, through video conferencing, in New Delhi..
BENGALURU, MAY 26 (PTI)
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday said the metro train services from Nayandahalli junction to Kengeri would open to the public from July."The Reach-2 Extension Line under Phase-2 of the project on Mysuru Road up to Kengeri is almost completed and it will open for passengers from July," Yediyurappa told reporters after inspecting the Metro Rail operations on the stretch.
Stating that the extension of the railway network would help people connect and travel faster, the Chief Minister said this is an
extension to the operational East- West Corridor on the Purple Line of length 18.1 km.
According to him, the estimated cost of this extension is Rs 1,560 crore and the land cost is Rs 360 crore.
Metro Rail offi cials said the Elevated Section has six stations-- Nayandahalli, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Jnanabharathi, Pattanagere, Kengeri Bus Terminal and Kengeri.
The maximum fare for travelling from Byappanahalli to Kengeri would be Rs 56 and Kengeri to Silk Institute, which is the longest stretch, Rs 60, they added.
Metro Rail extension up to Kengeri will be operational for public from July:Karnataka CM
BENGALURU, MAY 26 (PTI)
The founder of Sapna Book House, one of the largest bookstore chains, Suresh C Shah died due to old age related ailments on Tuesday, family sources said.
Shah, 84, was undergoing treatment in a private hospital at Seshadripuram where he breathed his last in the afternoon.
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and many of his cabinet colleagues including Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar, Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh Nirani condoled Shah's death.
Sapna Book House founder Suresh Shah dead
300 beds with oxygen facility will function in GEMCH from Friday ERODE MAY 26,
Government Erode Medical College Hospital (GEMCH) will have 300 beds with oxygen connection from Friday, Housing Minister S. Muthusamy said.
He inaugurated the corona vaccination camp for journalists at the Collector's Offi ce, Erode and held a review meeting with offi cials including Collector C. Kathiravan.
Later, he told reporters: At present, bed facilities with oxygen connection in government hospitals and private hospitals are slightly less. So, such beds in Erode Government Hospital was increased from 131 to 250. In a day or two, the new
beds will be operational. At the GEMCH, we have
upgraded the bed capacity from 550 to 650 with oxygen. Additional 300 beds with 300 oxygen connections, will be operational from Friday.
Another 300 will come into use during the next one week and by June 20, more than 200 beds with oxygen connection will be available.
With this, 1,550 beds will be available in Perundurai. Not only in Erode but also in the nearby districts, the complaint about lack of bed and oxygen connection will be attended. Around 3,500 beds were arranged in schools and colleges for
corona patients who did not need oxygen and of which 2500 beds are vacant. Those who do not have isolation facilities at home and those who need medical treatment are being treated there.
Similarly, Anthiyur, Satyamangalam, Gobi and
Bhavani government hospitals were upgraded with 100 beds each with oxygen facility.
However, corona patients will only be accommodated in some beds there. Other beds and other buildings, will give priority to other patients, he added.
ERODE, MAY 26, Corona 2 wave is spreading fast in Erode
district.The daily vulnerability is reaching new highs day by day.
To control this, the district administration has been carrying out various preventive measures on a wartime basis including creation of a war room with 10 phone numbers to clarify people's doubts about the CM's comprehensive medical insurance scheme, oxygen, bed, vaccination and testing facilities for corona treatment. The project has been
well received by the people.Corporation offi cials said: The war room receives a large number of phone calls from rural areas. Most refused to be treated at any hospital for the fl u and asked where some of the medication was available.
Some asked about vaccination and where the test could be performed and inquired as to which hospital had beds with oxygen facilities.
Every day 650 to 700 phone calls came from public.
War Room receives over 700 phone calls daily
ERODE MAY 26, The Government Erode
Medical College Hospital (GEMCH) at Perundurai has started construction of 6 permanent sheds of 300 beds with all facilities for the benefi t of the corona infected public. The work is going on war footing manner. The cost of each shed with 50
beds is Rs. 55 lakh. Perundurai Amaithi Poonga Arakattalai came forward to bear the cost of a shed. In the fi rst phase, its functionaries Senniyappan, Soundararajan, Senthilmurugan and Pallavi Paramasivan handed over a cheque for a sum of Rs 35 lakh to the Housing Minister S Muthusamy at Perundurai.
NGO donates Rs 35 lakh to GEMCH
Housing Minister S Muthusamy inaugurating corona vaccination camp for journalists at the collectorate.
BENGALURU, MAY 26 (PTI)
The Karnataka Congress on Tuesday launched 'Let Congress Vaccinate',an online campaign to create awareness about the importance of vaccination against COVID-19 and to build pressure on the government to allow it to directly procure them as per their Rs 100 crore plan.
The party had recently announced that all its legislators and MPs would pool in Rs 100 crore from their Local Area Development (LAD) funds to procure vaccines.
As part of the social media campaign, state Congress President D K Shivakumar, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Working President Eshwar Khandre, former ministers R V Deshpande, among other party leaders, shared video messages highlighting BJP governments "failure" to procure vaccine and inoculate people against the pandemic.
The party, in a release, claimed that more than 20,000 people lent their support to the campaign today and shared their videos on Twitter and Facebook,asking the BJP government to permit the Congress to procure directly and vaccinate the people of Karnataka.
"I request Congress workers to make people aware of how vaccination can defeat Covid, how the government has been slow in procuring vaccines, and how the Karnataka Congress has a proposal to directly procure vaccines, if only the government would let us," Shivakumar said.
He said the BJP government at the centre has not made enough vaccines available to Karnataka, choosing to export them instead, "for their own narrow PR gains."
"The consequence of this is that the health and well- being of our people has been compromised, thereby increasing the mortality rate in the state due to Covid."
Stating that Congress is fi rm on its Rs 100 crore plan and the funds would be utilised to directly procure vaccines from manufacturers and administered to the people, the KPCC chief said the party has repeatedly sought permission from the government for vaccination, but had not been granted it yet.
"On behalf of the Congress Party, we need your (people) wholehearted support so that we can build pressure on the government and we are able to show to them how vaccines can be procured and administered to people - in a totally transparent, fair and effi cient manner," he added.
Leader of the Opposition in the assembly Siddaramaiah alleged that the BJP government has failed miserably in the Covid front."It is a proven fact that people can be protected from Covid by vaccination.
The BJP government has botched-up the vaccination process and left the people of Karnataka in a miserable condition.Today there is no system in place and people have to fend for themselves, he said.
'Let Congress Vaccinate' online campaign launched by Karnataka Congress
"The consequence of this is that the health
and well- being of our people has been
compromised, thereby increasing the mortality rate in the state due to
Covid."
Public waiting in long queue in front of a ration shop at Choolai, Erode, to buy goods.
The public buying kerosene at a ration shop on Jeevanandham Road, Erode.
NEW DELHI, MAY 26 (PTI)
Delhi recorded a minimum of 22.6 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, four notches below normal, while the maximum temperature is likely to touch the 40 degrees Celsius mark, the India Meteorological Department said. No heat wave is predicted in the city till May end.
This is likely to be the fi rst time since 2014 that the Safdarjung observatory did not record a heat wave in the pre-monsoon period, said Kuldeep
Srivastava, the head of the IMD's regional forecasting centre.
No heat wave has been recorded even at the Palam observatory this year so far, he said.
For the plains, a "heat wave" is declared when the maximum temperature is more than 40 degrees Celsius, and at least 4.5 notches above normal.
A "severe" heat wave is declared if departure from normal temperature is more than 6.5 degrees Celsius.
Maximum temperature in citylikely to touch 40 degrees Celsius
1. Mr. Mehul Chinubhai Choksi – Director Gokul Apartments, 99/9th & 10th Floor, Near White House, Walkeshwar, Mumbai – 400006
Laxmi Tower, Office No. 3, 'B' Wing, 3rd Floor, 'G' Block Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (E), Mumbai – 400 051
5, Ganpat Bhuvan, 1st Floor, Morvi Lane Chowpatty, Mumbai-400007
6. M/s.Eureka Finstock Pvt. Ltd. - Corporate Guarantor
3. Mr. Sangameshwaran Krishnan - Director
B-6, 1st Floor, Laxmi Tower, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East), Mumbai - 400 051
Laxmi Tower, Office No. 6, 'B' Wing, 1st Floor, 'G' Block Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (E), Mumbai – 400 051
Survey No. 1/ 1, Ravirala Village Road Opp. RCI, IInd Gate, Maheshwaram Mandal, Hyderabad, Telangana - 501510
Laxmi Tower, Office No. 6, 'B' Wing, 1st Floor, 'G' Block Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (E), Mumbai – 400 051Dear Sir,
2. Mr.Dhanesh Vrajlal Sheth – Director
4. Ms. Nazura Ajaney – Director
5. M/s. Decent Securities & Finance Pvt. Ltd.- Corporate Guarantor
7. M/s.Hyderabad Gems SEZ Ltd.- Corporate Guarantor
8. M/s.Nashik Multi Services SEZ Ltd.- Corporate Guarantor
We refer to your captioned account and write to inform you that due to non-payment of interest/instalment, account turned to Non-Performing Assets in the books of the Bank on 30.12.2017.
Cottage 3, Pyramid Complex, Dhyanaprastha Foundation, KTN Palayam, Vadavalli, Coimbatore -641041, Tamil Nadu
12-H6, Mars Society, Kalyani Nagar, Pune City Pune 411006
Re: Show Cause Notice for declaring M/s. Gitanjali Gems Ltd. and its Directors/Guarantors as Wilful Defaulters and Opportunity for Representation there against.
9. M/s.Decent Investment & Finance Ltd.- Corporate Guarantor
We further write to inform you that as per the directions of the Committee of Executives on Wilful Defaulters of our Bank and on scrutiny of your account based on your acts of omission and commission, deeds/ documents and writings, performed /executed by the Company/directors/guarantors, the Company/directors/guarantors be classified as Wilful defaulter as per guidelines of RBI on the following grounds:
The Company has defaulted in meeting its payment/ repayment obligations to the lender and has diverted/siphoned off the funds so that the funds have not been utilized for the specific purpose for which finance was availed of, nor are the funds available with the firm/company in the form of other assets.In terms of RBI guidelines and to comply principles of natural justice, if you, desire, you may send your submission for consideration by the Committee of Executives, headed by our Executive Director within -15- days from the date of receipt of this letter as to why your account and you be not classified by Bank as a Wilful Defaulter. The Committee reserves the right to give or not to give the personal hearing to decide about classifying as wilful defaulter in case your submission is received.
This communication is issued as per the directions of the Committee of Executives on Wilful Defaulters (COE).
Please note that, in case your submission against the intention of Bank to declare you as a Wilful Defaulter is not received within -15- days from the date of receipt of this letter, the Bank will proceed further and classify your account as wilful defaulter. Bank reserves the Right to publish the name and photograph of Wilful Defaulter in News Paper and will initiate the necessary recovery action as per extant guidelines issued by Reserve Bank of India.
Forensic Audit of account of M/s.Gitanjali Groups was conducted by M/s. T.R. Chadha & Co. LLP for the period of 1st April 2010 to 31st January 2018, the observations are as under :-
M/s.Gitanjali Gems Limited had sold material amounting to Rs.1566 Crores from April, 2014 to September 2017 to M/s.Taipingyang Trading Limited, and purchased material amounting to Rs.1617 Crores during the same period from M/s.Shanyao Gong Si Limited. Since the directors of both these companies seem to be related and is also beneficiary of fraudulent LCs/LOUs, hence these transactions seem circular and in- genuine.
In case of M/s Crown Aim Limited, material amounting to Rs.3409 Crores has been sold and material amounting to Rs.4145 Crores has been purchased during the period from 01.04.2014 to 30.09.2017 by M/s. Gitanjali Gems Limited. Similarly, purchase and sales from same party has been observed in case of Asian Corporation (Sales Rs.1126 Crore, Purchase Rs.1191 Crores), IRIS Mercantile (Sales Rs.1666 Crore, Purchase Rs.1397 Crores), and Premier Intertrade (Sales Rs.1841 Crore, Purchase Rs.940 Crores) from 01.04.2014 to 30.09.2017. In all these 3 cases, most of the payments against purchases have been made as only a sum of Rs.449 Crores is payable to these 3 firms, whereas a sum of Rs.2144 Crores is receivable from these 3 firms as on 31.12.2017, which could not be recovered so far .
Circular trading has been observed :-
The Sales have continuously been concentrated to limited parties by M/s.Gitanjali Gems Limited. For Instance, top 15 customers contribute about 63% of total sales excluding sales to wholly owned subsidiaries during the FY 2014-15, which has increased to 77% in 2015-16, 88% in 2016-17 and 92% during April, 2017 to September 2017. Further, these sales were primarily made to customers who are appearing in top 16 debtors.
The Company has reported trade payables as per audited financial results for the year ended 31.03.2017 to Stock Exchanges on 30.05.17 amounting to Rs.3859 Crores as against Rs.1506 Crores reported in the Stock Statement. Similarly, Gitanjali Gems has also submitted the unaudited results for the Quarter Ended on 30th September, 2017 to Stock Exchanges, as per which the trade payable on standalone basis has been reported at Rs.5381 Crores, whereas in the stock statement for September, 2017 the same has been reported only at Rs.2804 Crores, thus short reported by Rs. 2577 Crores
In case of Iris Mercantile; Sales during 01.04.2014 to 30.09.2017 as per concurrent audit report of Gitanjali Gems Limited was reported at Rs.1414 Crores, whereas bank receipts were traced for Rs.3339 Crores in the bank statements related to Gitanjali Gems Limited. Similarly, in case of Premier Intertrade, sales during said period for Gitanjali Gems Limited were reported at Rs.1507 Crores, whereas bank receipts were traced for Rs.4436 Crores in the bank statements related to Gitanjali Gems Limited.
Based on Balance Confirmation received from various Lenders and as per last stock statement submitted by Gitanjali Group Companies; the outstanding LCs as on 31.2.2017 reported were Rs.603 Crores for M/s.Gitanjali Gems Limited. No outstanding against LOU has been reported in the stock statement filed by the Company.
M/s.Gitanjali Gems Limited had a cash credit account and current account also with PNB, but turnover routed through current account was Rs.7009.01 Cr. and through cash credit account Rs.195.96 Cr. This is one of the indicators of unusual transactions happening in PNB, where the transactions were carried out from Current Account instead of routing it through Cash Credit Account.
M/s.Gitanjali Gems Limited has disclosed contingent liability towards corporate guarantee given to Lenders for credit limits obtained by subsidiaries amounting to Rs. 2259 Crores, which includes a sum of Rs.1107 Crores towards Gili India Limited and Nakshatra Brands Limited as on 31.03.2017. It may be noted that as on 31.03.2017, FLC and LOU of PNB amounting to Rs.2796.47 Crores was outstanding in respect of Gili India Limited, Nakshatra Brands Limited and Asmi Jewellery India Limited which was not reflected as contingent liability by Gitanjali Gems Limited. It may further, be noted that outstanding letter of credit has been disclosed by M/s.Gitanjali Gems Limited at Rs.1.74 Crores in the annual report for FY 2016-17, whereas as per stock statement of 31.03.2017 LC Creditors stands at Rs. 350.03 Crores. Besides, Income Tax demand of Rs. 556 Crores is disclosed in the financial statement of Gitanjali Gems for March, 2017.
As depicted in media report “An independent valuation of the gems and jewellery seized from Mehul Choksi-owned Hyderabad Gems SEZ Ltd has pegged its value at about Rs 103 Crore, which is less than 3 per cent of the value of Rs 3,840 Crore declared in the firm's books.”
Based on the concurrent audit report of Gitanjali Gems Limited and financial statement, it was observed that during the period from 01.04.2014 to 30.09.2017, the Company has purchased material amounting to Rs.6453 Crores from its subsidiaries and had sold material amounting to Rs.7212 Crores to its subsidiaries. Besides, on our analysis of Banking Transactions, receipts and payments from same concerns were observed. Major two-way sales were observed in Premier Intertrade, Iris Mercantile, Asian Corporation, Asian Diamond & Jewellery FZE. The debtors and creditors have been netted off which reflects squaring off the transactions without fund movement. Total two-way sales transaction from April� 2014 to Sept, 2017 accounts for 32% of total sales reported by Gitanjali Gems Limited, the flagship company of the Group.
The Gitanjali Gems Limited has also published the results for year ended 31.03.2017 as on 29.05.2017, where trade payable were reported at Rs.3859.40 Crores whereas the same as per stock statement as on 31.03.2017 were reported at Rs.1506 Crores only.
It was observed that the transactions routed through bank account were much higher than the limit/sales turnover. Based on provisional trial balance, stock auditor M/s N V Dand & Associates has reported Credit Summation in various Gitanjali Gems Bank Accounts amounting to Rs.38271 Crores in 33 banks for the period from April, 2016 to February, 2017 as against sales turnover of Rs.10612 Crores reported by Gitanjali Gems Limited for FY 2016-17 and working capital limits of Rs.4993.96 Crores as on 31.03.2017.
As per Special Receivable Report (Project Jewel) dated May, 2017 by Ernst & Young, it has been mentioned that 81% receivables had confirmed a sum of Rs.5017 Cr. payable to Gitanjali Gems Limited as on 30th June, 2016.
The Company has continued supplies to a customer irrespective of huge outstanding and overdue with same company/other group companies, indicates the transactions might have been done for inflating of the turnover and that the purported material supplies did not have much value. Besides, in all these cases the credit has been allowed beyond their financial standing indicating the possibility that these trade receivables were not genuine and there is a nexus/relationship between buyer and seller.
M/s.Gitanjali Gems Limited had sold material amounting to Rs.1566 Crores from April, 2014 to September 2017 to M/s.Taipingyang Trading Limited, and purchased material amounting to Rs.1617 Crores during the same period from M/s.Shanyao Gong Si Limited. Since the directors of both these companies seem to be related and is also beneficiary of fraudulent LCs/LOUs, hence these transactions seem circular and in genuine
M/s.Gitanjali Gems Ltd. was supplying material to M/s.Trans Exim though there was heavy outstanding from that Company. The outstanding from 181-365 days was Rs.579.71 Cr. and more than 365 days was Rs.711.47 Cr. out of total receivables. Rs.1691.67 Crore.
As per media reports in the Charge Sheet filed by Enforcement Directorate, “the exports from Gitanjali Gems and Gitanjali Exports Corporation were made to two Hong Kong based companies, M/s Trans Exim and M/s Tradewell Enterprises. However, the payments for the exports were made by Hong Kong-based M/s 4C's Diamond Distributors and M/s Shanyao Gong Si Ltd, resulting in an under reporting of actual exports to the beneficiaries of the LOUs and Foreign Letters of Credit (FLCs) whereas over-reporting of exports to M/s Trans Exim and M/s Tradewell Enterprises.
In case of Iris Mercantile and Premier Intertrade, the bank receipts are much higher than the sales made to these two firms. For instance, in case of Iris Mercantile Sales during 01.04.2014 to 30.09.2017 as per concurrent audit report of Gitanjali Gems Limited was reported at Rs.1414 Crores, whereas bank receipts were traced for Rs.3339 Crores in the bank statements related to Gitanjali Gems Limited. Similarly, in case of Premier Intertrade sales during said period for Gitanjali Gems Limited were reported at Rs.1507 Crores, whereas bank receipts were traced for Rs. 4436 Crores in the bank statements related to Gitanjali Gems Limited. Though, significantly higher amount has been received in bank from these parties than the sales reported to these two customers, still a sum of Rs.1215 Crores is reported as receivable from these two customers as per stock statement for the month of December 2017.
Based on Balance Confirmation status received from various Lenders and as per last stock statement submitted the outstanding L/Cs as on 31.12.2017 reported were Rs. 603 Crores for Gitanjali Gems Limited No outstanding against LOU has been reported in the stock statement filed by Gitanjali Gems Limited.
It may further be noted that M/s Gitanjali Gems Limited is operating a current account Number 3731002101571566, besides, the Cash Credit Account with PNB and LOU/FLC payment have been made amounting to Rs.7000 Crores approx. from said account and only Rs.195.96 Crores from Cash Credit Account.
It was also observed that as per stock statement of M/s.Gitanjali Gems Limited has shown a sum of Rs.29.48 Crores payable to Crown Aim Limited. Whereas, as per the audited balance sheet of Crown Aim as on 31.03.2017a sum of USD 68.67 Mn (Rs.439.48) is payable to Ultimate Holding Company i.e. Gitanjali Gems Limited, thus there is a mismatch of INR.
The transactions related to M/s.Gitanjali Gems Limited for the period from 01.04.2014 to 30.09.2017 with below 3 firms are given below: (Rs In Crs.)
It was also observed that majority of these banking transactions were made from Catholic Syrian Bank, where these three parties have current account.
The Buyers Credit needs to be disclosed as Borrowings in the financial statements of the Companies since the same is payable to the lenders by the Company. LOUs amounting to Rs.2202 Crores were outstanding in case of Gitanjali Gems Limited (including Gitanjali Exports Corporation Limited)) as on 31.03.2017. Further, Gitanjali Gems Limited has given corporate guarantee to Lenders for loans taken by its subsidiaries and has disclosed the same as contingent liability. However, the amount disclosed does not include the outstanding LOU/FLC obtained by Gili India Limited and Nakshatra Brands Limited amounting to Rs.2796 Crores as on 31.03.2017.
SAMB:02:GGL:253 SHOW CAUSE NOTICE Date: 19-04-2021REGISTERED A.D.
Stressed Assets Management Branch,
17/B, First Floor, Homji Street, Horniman Circle, Fort, Mumbai-400001.
Phone: 022-68260016 Email: [email protected]
Yours faithfully,Sd/-Asst. General ManagerStressed Assets Management Branch
A-1, 7th Floor, Laxmi Towers, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East), Mumbai, Maharashtra-400051
Registered Office:
Factory / Plant Location:Block-D, Plot No.16,17,28,&29, SEEPZ, Andheri (E), Mumbai-400 096.
Unit No. 376, 377 & 378 at Plot No.241, Surat Special Economic Zone, G.I.D.C. Road No.4, Sachin, Surat-394 230, Gujarat.
Factory / Plant Location:
Factory / Plant Location:Plot No.H-120, Phase-II, Jaipur Special Economic Zone, Sitapura, Jaipur-302022.
1.M/s Gitanjali Gems Ltd. (M/s.Gitanjali Exports Corporation Ltd. since been amalgamated with M/s Gitanjali Gems Ltd. on 17.06.2016) Address:
Corporate Office: B- 6, 1st Floor, Laxmi Tower, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (E), Mumbai- 400 051.
Basement & Ground floor, G-185, EPIP, Sitapura Industrial Area, Jaipur-302022.
Factory / Plant Location:
Factory / Plant Location:SDF-1, Plot No.15, Survey No.1/1, Hyderabad Gems SEZ Ltd., Raviryala Village, Maheshwaram Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Telangana-501510. Andhra Pradesh.
Factory / Plant Location:Gemplus Jewellery Divsion. Unit No.1, Plot No.61, SEEPZ, Andheri (East), Mumbai-400 096.
Diamond Park-2, 2nd Floor, Opp. Savani Estate, Varachha Road, Surat-395 006, Gujarat.
Factory / Plant Location:
Plot no. 131/90, Plot no. 20, Marol Co-operative Industrial Estate, M.V. Road, Opp Star Audio, Marol Bhawan, Marol, Andheri (E), Mumbai – 400 059
Factory / Plant Location:
Sr. no
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
1
Name of Firm Period Bank payment
01.04.2014 to 30.09.2017 3257
742
6465
246601.04.2014 to 30.09.2017
01.04.2014 to 30.09.2017
Premier Intertrade
Iris Mercantile
Asian Corporation
Total
Bank Receipts
4437
3339
397
8173
3WEDNESDAY 26 MAY 2021 COIMBATORE
Housing Minister S Muthusamy inspecting construction work of new corona block at the Government Erode Medical College Hospital, Perundurai.
Vaccination for 18 to 44 years age group begins in Salem: Minister Senthil Balaji inaugurates
SALEM MAY 26COVID-19 vaccination
for 18 to 44 years age group persons was inaugurated in Salem on Monday by V.Senthil Balaji, Minister for Electricity, Prohibition and Excise at the Primary Health Centre in Kannankurichi.
The district had received 42,800 Covishield and 6400 Covaxine vaccine stocks last week. Vaccination for
persons in the age group 18-44 commenced on Monday following guidelines from the government. As many as 15 lakh persons in the district in the age group 18-44 will receive the vaccine said offi cials.
First line workers including news agents, milk sellers, E-service centre workers, pharmacists, auto and taxi drivers, electricity
board fi eld workers, Panchayat workers, state government transport employees, school teachers, volunteers, NGO staff and temporoary workers engaged in work in containment zones will receive the vaccines fi rst.
According to offi cials so far 2,93,721 persons have been vaccinated in the 1 st phase and 1,13,368 persons in the second phase in Salem District.
The vaccination drive inauguration was attended by S.Karmegam, Salem Collector, S.R.Parthiban, Salem M.P. R.Rajenderan, MLA, Salem North Constituency, Dr. Subramaniam, Dr. Selvakumar, Deputy Director, District T.B Offi cer Dr.V.Vijayalakshmanan, Dr.N.Sowmiya, Medical Offi cer, Primary Health Centre, Kannankurichi.
V.Senthil Balaji, Minister for Electricity, inaugurates COVID vacination drive for persons in the age group
18-44 years.
As COVID stalks villages, the poor denied decent burial by family and relativesSALEM MAY 26
On May 20 th . the Life Trust an NGO in Salem received a call from Aryampalayam village in Utamacholapuram Panchayat that a mentally ill person in village died due to COVID and neither the family nor relatives were prepared to bury the body. The caller pleaded that the body of the deceased man be taken and disposed.
For Life Trust which is involved in burial of unclaimed bodies this was an unusal call as despite the deceased man having a family and relatives the request is made t to carry out the burial saysKalaivani the Managing Trustee of Life Trust.
According to Kalaivani,they came to know that the deceased person is survived by a wife and two children. Few days back he
had fever and refused to be taken to the hospital. Within two days he died of suspected coronavirus infection.
The man was from a very poor background and neither the family nor the villagers took initiative to bury the man thinking that the man had died due to corona. Kalaivani says that her organisation’s volunteers went in an ambulance to the village with fl ower garlands and gave a decent burial to the deceased man. Consent letter was obtained from the family and the Panchayat. On
May 21 a fi fty three year old and sixty years old women in Ayanthirumaligai died due COVID and none came forward to burry them. Life Trust fi nally undertook the last rites and burial for the two. Kalaivani says that as number deaths are on the rise in villages there is an increase in cases of denial of burial by relatives and family.
Fear of corona and poverty are the main reasons. In the last few days Life Trust has handled 16 such dead bodies with the help of police and panchayat. The
Life Trust is receiving an increased number of calls for burial of covid deaths says Kalaivani. Meanwhile, A.Chandramohan, State General Secretary, All India Kisan Maha Saba in a statement has that the villages were lacking proper testing and treatment infrastructure. Test results take four days to come and meanwhile the condition of patients deteriorates and they die. Such deaths were not refl ected in COVID death records. Due to lack of awareness and delayed response the spread was rapid in rural areas and causing a spike in deaths. People from rural side are forced to remain in the villages due to lack of ambulances and lack of beds in hospitals in towns. Urgent steps are need to augment test-trace- treatment protocols and also take preventive measures.
Teachers federation plea to CMERODE MAY 26
Thamizhaga Aasiriyar Koottani appealed to the CM to reject the order of Erode and Tiruppur Collectors deploying teachers to conduct door to door survey on corona symptoms.
In a memorandum, W. Annamalai, All India Secretary, AIFETO (All India Federation of Elementary Teachers Organizations), state president Nambiraj, general secretary A. Vincent Balraj, treasurer Ka. Chandrasekhar said Erode and Tirupur District Collectors have issued an order appointing teachers as frontline staff for corona epidemic prevention work.
The Chief Education Offi cers of both districts have instructed the District Education Offi cers to send a list of names of those who did not attend the work. Female teachers who were majority in the department were forced to work in the name of volunteers. More teachers were already being treated for coronavirus in
hospitals across the districts. Their family members were being treated at the hospitals. We are saddened to learn that teachers are joining the list of doctors, nurses and guards who are dying without treatment.
The number of teachers receiving daily treatment for diabetes, blood pressure and some other co-morbidities are high. Telling them to go door-to-door without any training and compile a list of people with symptoms of the disease will increase the chances of the corona infection to them. It is unfortunate that forcing teachers who do not have adequate training and who do not have protective cloth for corona to conduct such survey as fi eld staff. The families which depend on them will also be at risk.
So, they pleaded to issue an order restraining the instructions of Erode and Tiruppur district collectors and bar other district collectors to issue such kind of instructions.
OEF donates 30 oxygen concentrators to GEMCH
ERODE, MAY 26 Olirum Erode Foundation
(NGO) functionaries donated 30 oxygen concentrators, costing Rs 1.5 lakh each, to the Government Erode Medical
College Hospital, Perundurai. It was received by Housing Minister S Muthusamy. During the event, the minister handed over the fund received for the Chief Minister's
Corona Relief Fund to the Collector. Subsequently, the minister inspected the corona vaccination camp held for some private fi rms at Perundurai.
CREDAI Coimbatore sets up New Covid Care Centre with O2 supportCOIMBATORE MAY 26
The increasing number of COVID 19 cases in Coimbatore has resulted in a large number of people requiring hospitalisation at Government Hospital, Coimbatore.
Accordingly to a communication from CREDAI Coimbatore, the organisation has worked on a war footing and has created a fi rst-of-its-kind facility with 200 oxygen beds at the Government Arts College Campus. Each bed has been provided with piped oxygen facility. The same has been put up by CREDAI Coimbatore at a cost of Rs 2 Crores along with support from various sponsors. CMC Hospital will provide the Doctors and Medicare for the same.
The proximity of the campus to the hospital makes it an ideal location. The
facility is being inaugurated by Mr. R Sakkarapani, Tamilnadu Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Mr K Ramachandran Minister for Forest and Mr. Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, TN Minister for School Education in the presence of Mr. Udhayanithi Stalin, MLA and Youth Wing Secretary, DMK. According to Mr. Gugan Ilango, President CREDAI Coimbatore, CREDAI Coimbatore has always been committed to social causes and is glad to provide the
fully equipped infrastructure with full oxygen beds which is the need of the hour.
Mr. D Abhishek, Secretary, CREDAI, TN, said that the basketball court and auditorium were converted to meet the new requirements.
Mr Surender Vittal Mr Aravindh, Mr Rajiv Ramasamy, Mr. Kalpesh Bafna coordinated the arrangements. Credai has been supported by M/ s Acsen and other donors in putting up this facility.
Reliance insurance introduces 5% special Discount to encourage COVID vaccinationCOIMBATORE MAY 26
Reliance General Insurance (RGI), a 100% subsidiary of Reliance Capital has launched an industry fi rst of additional one time 5% discount to customers who have taken the COVID-19 vaccination.
The additional one time 5% discount on Reliance Health Infi nity policy will be over and above the other discounts applicable at the time of buying the policy, making the premium extremely affordable.
The offer can also be availed by existing policyholders on their renewal premium. Customers who have
vaccinated themselves even with the fi rst vaccination dose, are eligible to avail this benefi t.
Mr. Rakesh Jain, CEO, Reliance General Insurance talking on the initiative, said.
“We want to thank IRDAI for their special approval to Covid Vaccine discount in our Health Infi nity product amidst a time where everyone needs to come together and collectively combat the impact of virus.
By the means of this incentive, we want to encourage individuals to prioritize their health at this critical hour and get themselves vaccinated at the earliest.”
GKNM Hospital Donates Rs.1 Crore: R.Gopinath, Vice President and Dr. Ragupathy Veluswamy, CEO of G.Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Hospital (GKNMH) handed over a cheque for Rs. 1 Crore for COVID relief to Chief
Minister M.K.Stalin recently
EB readings can be recorded through WhatsAppCHENNAI MAY 26
Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji on Tuesday briefed about the new electricity payment method where people can record their readings on their mobile phones.
Minister Senthil Balaji said that with the announcement that the electricity tariff will be hereafter calculated on a monthly basis, the public can take a photograph of the meter unit on their cell phones and pay the electricity bill as the electrical staff are not able to come and take readings due to the corona spread.
Minister Senthil Balaji held a review meeting at the District Collector's Offi ce
on the prevention of corona spread in Salem on Tuesday.
He later told reporters:"We have come up with certain decisions after the consultation meeting held in Salem today.
Accordingly, we have decided to publish the test result within 24 hours of the corona test. The information
about them will be reported to the monitoring offi cers and the infected will be admitted.
We have asked the private hospitals in the Salem district to place billboards indicating what are the three types of tariffs under the CM Insurance Scheme.
It will also include a helpline where you can fi le a
complaint in case an extra fee is charged.There are various doubts about the electricity bill. Some announcements have already been made regarding electricity tariffs.
As there was some dissent to it, we issued a notice regarding the electricity tariff as per the guidance given by the Chief Minister,” the minister said.
He added that people can take a photo of the electric meter in their houses and send it on WhatsApp to the specifi ed number that was announced two days earlier. He then said that they can take that photo along with them and pay the bill and added that there was no urgency for that.
There are various doubts about the electricity bill. Some announcements have
already been made regarding electricity tariff s. As there was some dissent to it, we
issued a noti ce regarding the electricity tariff as per the guidance given by the Chief
Minister,” the minister said.
TN records 34,285 COVID cases on Tuesday CHENNAI MAY 26
In Tamil Nadu, 34,285 people have been diagnosed with COVID 19 in a single day.
According to a statement issued by the Tamil Nadu Health Department i n this regard, 34,285 people have been d i a g n o s e d w i t h coronavirus in a single day on Tuesday in Tamil Nadu.
A maximum of 4,041 people have been confi rmed infected in Chennai.
The total number in Chennai has thus risen to 4,87,691, bringing the total
number of corona patients in Tamil Nadu to 19,11,496.
In Tamil Nadu today, 468 people died of corona in
a single day, bringing the total death toll to
21,340. On T u e s d a y , 2 8 , 7 4 5
people had recovered a n d re turned h o m e .
This b r o u g h t the number
of survivors to 15,83,504.
1,71,866 samples were tested yesterday in Tamil Nadu. So far 2,66,41,632 lakh samples have been tested.
According to a statement issued by the Tamil Nadu Health Department i n this regard, 34,285 people have been
coronavirus in a single day on Tuesday in Tamil Nadu.
A maximum of 4,041 people have been confi rmed
a single day, bringing the total death toll to
21,340. On T u e s d a y , 2 8 , 7 4 5
people had recovered a n d
b r o u g h t the number
of survivors to 15,83,504.
All efforts to ensure uninterrupted supply of milkCOIMBATORE, MAY 26
The Tamil Nadu government was taking all efforts to ensure unhindered door-to-door supply of milk, an essential commodity, during the ongoing lockdown period, Milk and Dairy Development Minister SM Nasar said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters here, he said both procurement and supply of milk for the public were good in the district. The government
was taking all steps to ensure the uninterrupted supply of basic needs of people during the ongoing lockdown, announced by the
state government till May 31 without any relaxations, such as water, vegetables and milk, he said. The lockdown was imposed to break the chain of
coronavirus and all including Ministers, MLAs, MPs and offi cials were involved in serving people, he told reporters.
"In lines with the Chief Minister's (MK Stalin) directions, all efforts are on to ensure uninterrupted supply of people's basic needs like vegetables milk,water and medical services during this lockdown.Milk was an essential commodity being consumed by people of all age groups, he said.
Covid: Renault Nissan to temporarily
suspend operations for 5 days at TN plant
CHENNAI, MAY 26 (PTI)
Renault Nissan Automotive India Pvt Ltd on Tuesday said it will temporarily suspend operations at its plant in Tamil Nadu for fi ve days, with effect from Wednesday, in the wake of high COVID-19 infections in the state. The step comes at a time when workers at the factory at Oragadam, about 45 km from here, have demanded work be stopped at the facility due to the Covid pandemic. "The COVID-19 situation in and around Chennai remains extremely serious. Therefore, to ensure we maintain the focus on the safety of our employees and their families and as a precaution, the decision has been taken to
suspend plant operations temporarily from May 26 to May 30," according to an internal letter shared by company managing director and CEO Biju Balendran with employees. "We will continue to closely monitor the situation in Chennai and Tamil Nadu and come back to you shortly with information on when the plant will restart operations", he said.
The company is reviewing the current safety protocols and future safety measures and continues to have a "close and constructive" dialogue with union representatives so that the "highest standards of safety are in place when the plant resumes operations", he said.
Get 24 Indian fishermen released from Qatar jail: CM to Centre
CHENNAI, MAY 26 (PTI)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to take steps for getting 24 Indian fi shermen released from a Qatar prison.
While 20 fi shermen hailed from Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, the others were from neighbouring Kerala and they were arrested on March 25 in Qatar waters by authorities there, Stalin said in a letter to Jaishankar.On March 22, the fi shermen had set out for fi shing from Iran in a fi shing vessel registered in that country, he added.
BJP's focus is UP polls instead of tackling COVID-19, claims SenaMUMBAI, MAY 26 (PTI)
The Shiv Sena on Wednesday claimed the BJP, instead of tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, was working on how to improve its image and win the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections due next year after it "did not do so well" in the panchayat polls there.An editorial in the Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said after failing to win the West Bengal Assembly polls, the BJP leadership has shifted focus to Uttar Pradesh. No doubt, elections are important in parliamentary democracy, but are polls a priority in the present situation? the editorial asked.
Body of martyred jawan reaches Ratlam; last rites on WednesdayRATLAM (MP), MAY 26 (PTI)
The mortal remains of Indian Army jawan Kanhaiyalal Jat, who died in the line of duty in Sikkim, was brought here on Tuesday for last rites at his ancestral village Gunavad in the district.
Lance Naik Kanhaiyalal Jat (32) was killed in a sudden blast while cleaning an Army vehicle in Sikkim on Saturday, his brother said. His last rites with full military honours will take place on Wednesday at Gunavad, he said.
The body of the soldier arrived here from Sikkim via Delhi and Indore, a senior offi cial said.
Later, Jat's mortal remains were brought to Ratlam, where they were kept in the district hospital mortuary, the offi cial said.
EDITORIAL
4 WEDNESDAY 26 MAY 2021 COIMBATORE
Corona can be controlled
It has been found that the coronavirus infection can be brought under control by traditional medicine. With the help of modern scientifi c discoveries, English medicine has the ability to eradicate diseases. However, to get rid of the disease completely and increase the body's immunity and protect against the side effects of the disease, there are a lot of opportunities to choose a suitable medicine such as naturopathy, Siddha, Ayurvedic medicine and maintain good health.
The idea that natural medicine can cure the corona epidemic that is now plaguing the world is gaining strength. Siddha doctors insist that Siddha medicine is the best solution for corona. Now the Tamil Nadu government has started the Corona Siddha Medical Center at Vyasarpadi in Chennai just like last year. Those who are treated here are given Siddha medicines including Kapasurakkudinir, Talisathi Suranam, Adathodai, Manapaku, Karisalaipal and herbal foods.
The Government of Tamil Nadu is planning to set up Siddha medical treatment centres in 12 more districts. Such alternative therapies must be implemented to control corona infection that spreads at lightning speed. This is a good opportunity for those who are in the early stages of corona infection to seek alternative medicine and get rid of the disease. China's traditional medicine is said to be the main reason for controlling the spread of the disease in China, which is considered the source of corona infection.
Our traditional medical practices like Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy, Yoga, Pranayama can defi nitely bring this disease under control. When the centres are set up, people will boldly go there and seek treatment.
Congratulations on the efforts made by the new government within a few days of taking charge.
NEW DELHI MAY 26, Even as states are drafting
their suggestions on class XII exams to be sent to the ministry of education (MoE), according to sources, the majority of them have chosen the option of conducting a truncated test for 19 “major subjects”.
A few did stress the need to vaccinate students and teachers before the exams. Meanwhile, over 300 students wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of India to quash the physical conduct of examinations.
The MoE had asked the states/ UTs to submit detailed suggestions by Tuesday on the two proposals mooted by the CBSE for conducting the board exams. The CBSE
has proposed two options — conducting regular exams for 19 major subjects at notifi ed centres or conducting shorter duration objective type exams at respective schools where students are enrolled between July 15-August 26 and the result to be declared in September.
As stated by the education
minister , a decision will be announced by June 1.”
The Delhi government has reiterated its stand of “vaccination or cancellation”, the state is in favour of option B. Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, Karnataka are among the states which have also advocated the second option.
CHENNAI MAY 26,After a 12-hour inquiry
session, police on Monday arrested a PSBB Senior Secondary School teacher, facing sexual harassment charges, under the Pocso Act, the IT Act and the IPC.
G Rajagopalan, a 59-year-old who taught commerce at the CBSE-affi liated institution, was produced before a Mahila court judge who ordered that he be in jail till June 8.
Police later sought fi ve days custody of Rajagopalan as a few more women and alumni of the
school made allegations against the teacher.
On Tuesday afternoon, school correspondent Sheela Parthasarathy and principal Geetha ajendran appeared before the T Nagar deputy commissioner of police and were asked if they had received similar complaints against the teacher and if they had initiated action against him.
They were also asked to share details of the Vishaka Committee formed in the school to look into such cases.
Sexual harassment: School teacher held under Pocso Act in Chennai
Centre’s decision on Class XII exams by June 1: Official
NEW DELHI MAY 26, Phase 3 clinical trials
in nearly 2400 people in India have begun to test the effi cacy of experimental antiviral drug Molnupiravir against Covid-19, following regulatory approvals by the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation.
This drug, developed by Merck originally, is an investigational oral broad-spectrum antiviral agent that has shown promising results in arresting the mild and moderate Covid-19 cases from deteriorating further as per early-stage trials in some other countries and is now being studied in late-stage trials.
In India, fi ve companies have entered into voluntary licensing agreements to produce generic versions of this drug of which MSN laboratories has received permission to conduct the trials.
Suneetha Narreddy, senior consultant, infectious diseases at Apollo hospital in Hyderabad—which is one of the 40 trial sites in India where the phase 3 trials will be conducted, said that the drug is showing promise for Covid-19 treatment and has a good safety profi le.
“Data from early-stage trials and preliminary analysis of phase 3 trials from outside India looks very promising but we should wait till the trials are concluded in India to say something defi nitive,” she said, adding that the drug is being given to non-hospitalised patients with mild and moderate disease as part of the trial.
“Final analysis will depend on how many of the patients with or without this drug in the placebo and treatment arm went on to develop severe disease or needed hospitalisation,” she said.
Phase 3 trial of new antiviral drug in India
Covid-19 transmission 12 hrs after death highly unlikely , says expert
NEW DELHI MAY 26,Coronavirus doesn't remain active in
nasal and oral cavities 12 to 24 hours after the death of an infected person as a result of which the risk of transmission from the deceased is highly unlikely, AIIMS Forensic Chief Dr Sudhir Gupta said.
A pilot study was conducted over the last one year in the Department of Forensic Medicine at AIIMS on COVID-19 positive medico-legal cases which were subjected to post-mortem.
"Around 100 bodies were re-tested for coronavirus infection in an interval of 12 to 24 hours after death and the result was negative. The virus does not remain active at all in nasal and oral cavities 24 hours after death," Dr Gupta told PTI.
"The risk of transmission of coronavirus 12 to 24 hours after the death of an infected person is highly unlikely," he said.
For safety purposes, he said, nasal and oral cavities should be plugged to prevent leakage of body fl uids or other orifi ces or punctures resulting from removal of catheter, drains, tubes should be disinfected.
Also as a precautionary measure, people handling such bodies should wear protective gear such as masks, gloves and PPE kits.
"Collection of bones and ashes is completely safe as there is no risk of transmission of infection from the mortal remains," Gupta said.
"The study was conducted in the interest
of preserving the dignity of the dead," he stated.
The ICMR in its 'standard guidelines for medico-legal autopsy in COVID-19 deaths' issued in May, 2020 advised that invasive techniques should not be adopted for forensic autopsy in COVID-19 deaths as mortuary staff are exposed to potentially dangerous health risks due to organ fl uids and secretions even after taking the highest precautions.
The waiving of a post-mortem will prevent the spread of infection to doctors, mortuary staff, police persons and all the people involved in the chain of dead body disposal.
Non-invasive autopsy techniques, as described in guidelines, should be used, if at all required, to prevent the risk of spreading the infection to mortuary staff, police personnel and contamination of mortuary surfaces, the guidelines stated.
"If the autopsy surgeon feels that he will not be able to conclude cause of death or any other related issue without dissection, then he can proceed with minimal invasive/limited internal dissection.
"However, the dissection has to be performed keeping in mind that the conduction of autopsy is a high-risk procedure which is potentially as hazardous as any other procedure performed on the body of a COVID-19 patient," the guidelines said, listing the precautions to be followed while conducting an autopsy by adopting proper infection control measures.
According to the procedure of conducting forensic autopsy, "...along with external examination, multiple photographs and verbal autopsy (as depicted by WHO)...the post mortem should be conducted strictly avoiding any invasive surgical procedures and avoiding splashing of body fl uids contact for staffs, body handlers and doctors conducting post mortem.
WASHINGTON MAY 26,
US President Joe Biden will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Switzerland on June 16, a high-stakes summit amid escalating tensions between Moscow and Washington.
The meeting – the fi rst face-to-face session between the two leaders since Biden became president – will focus on a "full range of pressing issues," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement Tuesday.
U.S.-Russian relations have been strained since Biden took offi ce.
The White House imposed sanctions on Russia in March over the poisoning and detention of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
The Biden administration hit Moscow with another set of penalties in April, accusing the Kremlin of interference in the 2020 U.S. election and involvement in the SolarWinds cyberattack, which breached a spate of U.S. federal agencies and private companies.
Joe Biden to meet Putin on June 16
THIRUNELVELI MAY 26
Courtallam falls in the Thirunelveli district have been fl ooded on Wednesday due to continuous rains.
Main Falls, Five Falls(Aintharuvi) and Old Courtallam Falls have been fl ooded.
Cuddalore district received 15 cm of rain in Kattumannarkoil and 10 cm in Lalpet. Rajapalayam and its environs have received moderate rainfall.
Flooding in Courtallam Falls due to continuous downpour
UDHAGAMAN-DALAM MAY 26,
A 15-year-old pregnant elephant was found dead in the Singara beat of the Singara Forest Range on Monday evening.
A post-mortem was performed on the carcass on Tuesday. Deputy Director of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), Buffer Zone,
L.C.S. Srikanth, said the autopsy revealed that the animal had suffered a fall after trudging through unsteady ground and was unable to extricate itself.
The autopsy had also revealed that the elephant was carrying a 15-month-old foetus. “Apart from this, the animal also seems to have been attacked by
a tiger while it was stuck, which could have been another causative factor in its death,” said Mr. Srikanth.
Veterinary Assistant Surgeon from Theppakadu performed the post-mortem on the elephant, which was attended by top Forest Department offi cials from MTR
After it was ascertained that the animal died of natural causes, the carcass was left to scavengers.
“There is a vulture population in the region as well as other scavengers like striped hyenas which depend on wild animal carcasses to survive.
So we have left the carcass out in the open for them to feast on,” said Mr. Srikanth.
Pregnant wild elephant killed in tiger attack in MTR buffer zone
Collector C Kathiravan visits Thindal, Telephone Nagar, Sasthri Nagar etc in Erode town, and advises
people, who isolate themselves in houses due to corona symptoms, on corona safety norms.
TMC youth wing state president M Yuvaraja inspecting food preparation work for distributing it to 200 poor persons, affected by total lockdown, daily
at Erode.
Coimbatore CSI Bishop Timothy Ravinder honours Tamil Nadu Forests Minister Ramachandran during his visit to Conoor. Nearby is Anne Timothy Ravinder.
Honble Chief Minister fl agged off the vehicles carrying oxygen cylinders and regulators to be used in certain Districts for Corona treatment
Stalin asks Ministers, officials to ensure regular supply of essentials
CHENNAI MAY 26, “Chief Minister directed
offi cials to ensure that supply of essential items such as vegetables, fruits and milk to public are uninterrupted.
He also directed the offi cials of essential departments to work with local administrations to sell vegetables and fruits through mobile carts,” said a statement from State government.
On Tuesday, the second day of complete lockdown, Chief Minister Stalin held a meeting with offi cials of Agriculture Department and Greater Chennai Corporation to review the implementation
of lockdown measures. During the meeting,
offi cials informed the Chief Minister that 1,400 tonnes of vegetables and fruits were delivered within the Chennai Corporation through 1,670 mobile carts and 3,500 tonnes of vegetables and fruits were sold across the State through 4,626.
The Chief Minister instructed offi cials to ensure supply vegetables and fruits to all parts of the State.
Following the meeting with the Chief Minister, Agriculture Minister MRK Panneerselvam said that
the number of mobile carts were increased to increase the supply of fruits and vegetables.
“On Tuesday, 13,096 tonnes of vegetables and fruits were sold across the State using 6,509 mobile carts. In coming days, the number of carts will be increased to cater the needs of a wider section of people,” added Panneerselvam.
When asked about the complaints that mobile carts were not reaching rural areas unlike urban areas, Panneerselvam replied that it has been only two days of lockdown and the offi cials were continuously working to take mobile carts to rural areas.
He added that fruits and vegetables were directly procured from farmers, noting that the Chief Minister has directed them to ensure that no farm produce goes unprocured during the lockdown.
10,000 vehicles seized in Central districts in 2 daysVELLORE MAY 26,
More than 10,000 vehicles were seized for violating the lockdown norms in the Central zone, said IGP (Incharge) and Tiruchy City Commissioner of Police A Arun. “So far as many as 5,177 cases have been registered against the persons who violated the norms in the City and 450 vehicles were seized so far,” said Arun. Over 10,000 vehicles were seized from across nine districts in the zone and on Monday alone 1,600 vehicles were seized, he added.
In Vellore, the roads remained deserted due to fear of police seizing vehicles, sources said on Tuesday. “If we are to detain vehicles we need to book them under the IPC which we have been ordered not to do,” police offi cials clarifi ed. However, they are strict with mask implementation and collected nearly Rs 40,000 as fi ne so far.
SI suspended for seeking bribe to free vehicle in Dindigul Vasu, Sanarpatti Sub Inspector of Police in Dindigul district has been placed under suspension after being charged with taking Rs 2,000 bribe to free the seized vehicle from the police custody. S Muthusamy, DIG, Dindigul Range, served the suspension order on Monday night based
on recommendations from Superintendent of Police G Ravali Priya, sources said.
Theni SP fi nes AR cop for not wearing mask The Theni Superintendent of Police, who was inspecting lockdown enforcement in the district, himself caught a police constable attached to the Armed Reserve battalion and fi ned him for not wearing mask on Tuesday.
AR constable Ranjith Kumar without wearing a face mask was riding his bike to duty. The errant cop was caught by E Sai Charan Tejaswi, SP, at Aranmanai Pudur junction in Theni Town and was imposed a fi ne of Rs 200 on the spot.
The SP said the intention was not to punish the subordinate, but to send out a strong message that the COVID rule applies to all. Lauding the effort, S Muthusamy, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Dindigul Range, said the move would set a good example to others.
A total of 39 inter-departmental teams have been keenly monitoring violators. Moreover, the police are on checking duty at 55 temporary check posts to prevent people from moving unnecessarily. Around 30,000 cases have been registered since April and 1,500 vehicles seized since May 10, the SP said.
