
199 AP police officers left without postings, pay: MP
In his letter dated July 18, he described the situation as a violation of service norms and constitutional provisions.
According to the MP, 199 police officers, including four IPS officers, have been placed in VR (Vacancy Reserve) or compulsory wait since June 2024. These officers have been attached to the DGP's office in Mangalagiri without any assigned responsibilities or payment of salaries. They are required to mark daily attendance but have not been given postings or financial support.
Dr Gurumoorthy stated that many officers are facing financial stress, having to manage housing and family expenses without allowances.
He said that some were staying in rented accommodation without House Rent Allowance and are struggling to pay for their children's education or medical needs of family members.
He pointed out that no disciplinary or legal proceedings have been initiated against these officers, and that their treatment goes against the IPS Conduct Rules and the Supreme Court's judgment in Prakash Singh vs Union of India, which protects officers from arbitrary action and promotes proper use of police personnel.
The MP also mentioned that some of the officers in compulsory wait are being used for unofficial duties such as VIP security or political events, without proper orders, allowances, or access to government vehicles. In some instances, he said they were travelling in uniform using public transport.
The MP added that officers nearing retirement are particularly affected, with delays in postings and pension contributions.
In some cases, he said, officers have been given postings only on the day of retirement after a full year without salary.
Dr Gurumoorthy requested that the Prime Minister direct the Andhra Pradesh government to reinstate the affected officers, release their pending salaries and allowances, and restore pension contributions.
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Mint
8 minutes ago
- Mint
Supreme Court acknowledges ‘mental health crisis in educational institutions', calls student suicides ‘systemic failure'
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The NCRB data further reflected the suicides among students in the last two decades, increasing from 5,425 in 2001 to 13,044 in 2022. " of an increasing number of suicides in educational institutions, inter alia, including schools, coaching institutes, colleges, and training centres, we feel obliged to acknowledge and address the gravity of the mental health crisis afflicting students in educational institutions across the country," the bench said. The bench was acting on an appeal against an Andhra Pradesh High Court order rejecting the plea to transfer the investigation into the unnatural death of a 17-year-old National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test aspirant, preparing in Vishakhapatnam, to the CBI. The top court said the NCRB data revealed a distressing pattern of rising student suicides. It said mental health was an integral component of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The bench said given the pressing nature of the crisis, particularly in cities like Kota, Jaipur, Sikar, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad, and Delhi, where students migrate in large numbers, immediate interim safeguards are the call of the day. It issued 15 guidelines, which included that all educational institutions shall ensure optimal student-to-counsellor ratios. "Dedicated mentors or counsellors shall be assigned to smaller batches of students, especially during examination periods and academic transitions, to provide consistent, informal, and confidential support," it said. The bench said all educational institutions shall establish written protocols for immediate referral to mental health services, local hospitals, and suicide prevention helplines. "Suicide helpline numbers, including Tele-MANAS and other national services, shall be prominently displayed in hostels, classrooms, common areas, and on websites in large and legible print," it said. It said all teaching and non-teaching staff shall undergo mandatory training at least twice a year, conducted by certified mental health professionals, on psychological first-aid, identification of warning signs, response to self-harm, and referral mechanisms. The bench said all educational institutions shall ensure that all staffs are adequately trained to engage with students from vulnerable and marginalised backgrounds in a sensitive, inclusive, and non-discriminatory manner. "This shall include, but not be limited to, students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), LGBTQ communities, students with disabilities, those in out-of-home care, and students affected by bereavement, trauma, or prior suicide attempts, or intersecting form of marginalisation," it said. The bench said every such institution shall constitute an internal committee or designated authority empowered to take immediate action on complaints about sexual harrasment, ragging and others and provide psycho-social support to victims. It said all educational Institutions shall regularly organise sensitisation programmes (physical or online) for parents and guardians on student mental health. It said mental health literacy, emotional regulation, life skills education and awareness of institutional support services shall be integrated into student orientation programmes and co-curricular activities. "All educational institutions shall maintain anonymised records and prepare an annual report indicating the number of wellness interventions, student referrals, training sessions, and mental health-related activities," the bench said. It said examination patterns shall be periodically reviewed to reduce academic burden and to cultivate a broader sense of identity among students beyond test scores and ranks. It said all educational institutions, including coaching centres and training institutes, shall provide regular, structured career counselling services for students and their parents or guardians. "All residential-based educational institutions, including hostel owners, wardens and caretakers, shall take proactive steps to ensure that campuses remain free from harassment, bullying, drugs....," the bench said. It asked the Centre to file a compliance affidavit before the court within 90 days. The continued loss of young a systemic failure that cannot be ignored. 'The affidavit shall also indicate the expected timeline for the completion of the report and recommendations of the National Task Force on mental health concerns of students,' it said.


Time of India
8 minutes ago
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Delhi govt files review plea in Supreme Court against blanket ban on ELVs
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Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Scientific study needed': Delhi government moves SC, seeks review of blanket ban on old vehicles
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The state said that the ban on the plying of the said vehicles in the last seven years, 'though undoubtedly salutary in aim was observed to have caused numerous practical hardships to the citizens of Delhi, which today, in light of the advancements in technology and enforcement now prima facie appear to outweigh the prudence and feasibility of continuance of the said ban'. The plea further urged the court to direct the Centre or the Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM) 'to carry out a suitable broad based, scientific study on the need for continuance of' the complete ban imposed by the Supreme Court's October 29, 2018, order. The Delhi government said that in its considered view, 'the significant improvements in Pollution Under Control (PUC) technology, increased coverage of PUC testing, stricter monitoring of emission standards, transitioning over to Bharat Stage VI engines and various other measures' that have been implemented since the Supreme Court order 'suitably address the concerns that impelled' the apex court to pass such a judgment. 'It is the view of the State Government that there is great need for a graded, balanced and technology driven regime to handle vehicular pollution and that instead of an age-based blanket ban, a scientific, data-driven framework should be developed that considers all relevant indicators to ascertain individual vehicular pollution, for example but not limited to: (i) Actual emission, (ii) Actual mileage, (iii) regular and period vehicle fitness tests and (iv) best available retrofitting options (CNG/electric conversions),' the application stated. The plea added that 'a balanced policy would ensure not only the protection of the environment through the phasing out of polluting vehicles, but would also preserve the rights of the responsible vehicle owners'. The government said the complete ban order 'was originally passed as an emergency measure during a period when Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) emission standards were in force and the migration to Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI), which has much stricter and advanced norms, had not yet commenced.' It added, 'However, it is submitted that to tackle the issue of pollution in the NCR region, a comprehensive policy is required which gives vehicle fitness based on the actual emission levels of an individual vehicle as per scientific methods rather than implementing a blanket ban based on solely the age of the vehicle.' The government said that significant technological, legal, and environmental developments have taken place since 2018, which warrant a 're-examination of this decision' by an expert body to form a structured and graded plan to tackle pollution. The application further said that there are various sources of air pollution in Delhi, apart from vehicular pollution, and that vehicular emissions constitute only one of several sources of air pollution in Delhi NCR. 'Other significant contributors include: stubble burning, biomass burning, road and construction dust, industrial emissions, weather and meteorological factors. As per the Commission for Air Quality Management, the percentage contribution of the said sources to the air quality of Delhi varies significantly depending on the season,' the plea stated. The Delhi government said that CAQM in its 'Policy to Curb Air Pollution in the National Capital Region' adopted in July 2022 has stated, 'These studies show that there is considerable seasonal variation in the relative contribution of pollution sources between winter and simmer', and contended that 'thus…a scientific analysis, and cost benefit analysis of phasing out vehicles on the basis of age would be an appropriate approach'. The state said that since the issue of Delhi's air quality is not confined solely to the National Capital Territory but rather to the broader National Capital Region, it is respectfully submitted that 'it would be appropriate if suitable scientific studies on the feasibility, desirability and efficacy of continuing the said ban are carried out at the level of the Union of India or the Commission for Air Quality Management'. Ananthakrishnan G. is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express. He has been in the field for over 23 years, kicking off his journalism career as a freelancer in the late nineties with bylines in The Hindu. A graduate in law, he practised in the District judiciary in Kerala for about two years before switching to journalism. His first permanent assignment was with The Press Trust of India in Delhi where he was assigned to cover the lower courts and various commissions of inquiry. He reported from the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India during his first stint with The Indian Express in 2005-2006. Currently, in his second stint with The Indian Express, he reports from the Supreme Court and writes on topics related to law and the administration of justice. Legal reporting is his forte though he has extensive experience in political and community reporting too, having spent a decade as Kerala state correspondent, The Times of India and The Telegraph. He is a stickler for facts and has several impactful stories to his credit. ... Read More