
Medical allowance for former legislators increased to ₹1 lakh
The revision in the medical allowance would be applicable from April 1 last year. The State government has amended the Tamil Nadu Legislators' (Medical Attendance and Treatment to Former Members) Rules, 1982 in this regard.
As per the rules, every person, who had been a Member of the Legislative Assembly or the Legislative Council (abolished in 1986) or both, but had ceased to be such Member at any time, shall be entitled to the Medical concessions. They were entitled for a medical allowance of ₹75,000 for every financial year.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Strays at GHs, a bitter pill to swallow for patients
Chennai: Stray dogs, many unneutered and unvaccinated, are a common sight in the sterile zones of Chennai's govt hospitals (GHs), including intensive care units (ICUs) and dialysis units. They freely wander in and out of general wards, where they sleep under patient beds and occasionally share meals with patients. Almost all public hospitals in the city, including children's hospitals, mental health institutes, and maternity hospitals, contend with packs of community dogs. "We don't know how this fellow got in here," said a security guard at Tower II gate of Rajiv Gandhi Govt General Hospital, pointing to a dog outside the CT scan area on Thursday. "This tower alone has two to three entrances. I guard just one. There is no one guarding the other two today. Sometimes they post elderly guards, but they can't run and chase dogs," she said. "This is a govt hospital. Don't expect facilities you see at a private hospital. " Doctors and hospital administrators say the dogs remain there due to availability of food. "Doctors, PG students, and even patients feed them. Why would dogs leave this place when they get what they want," asked Dr Magesh, dean in-charge of Stanley hospital. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15+ Food That Clean Arteries (Most People Ignore) Undo You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Dr A Aravind, dean of Omandurar Medical College and Hospital, said some dogs in the hospital have stayed back after their owners passed away. "We get patients from adjacent Tiruvallur, Chengalpet, and Kancheepuram districts or even Andhra Pradesh. Some patients bring their pets along. They are left behind when they die. I've seen at least half a dozen such cases over the past few months," he said. When packs become aggressive or there are complaints of dog bites, hospital administrators seek assistance from the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). However, permanently removing these dogs from hospital campuses is not an option. Under the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2023, street dogs can be captured only in two situations: as part of sterilization and vaccination drives to control their population, or in response to specific complaints such as dog bites or suspected rabies. Some times when patients, attenders or staff complain, the dogs are taken for observation and returned when they are found healthy. "Once every six months, GCC sterilizes dogs on campus and vaccinates them before dropping them back," said Vanitha Malar, RMO, Stanley Hospital. Dr M Jagadeesan, GCC's city health officer, said the civic agency's job ends with sterilization. "Stray dogs in sterile zones such as ICUs and OTs pose a clear sanitation hazard. Hospitals must take charge of preventing this," he said. Animal activists such as Sudha Chandrashekar, founder of SANS Animal Welfare Trust, suggest that hospitals should create designated feeding zones. "When feeding is restricted to just one designated zone, dogs will stay there. Hospitals must penalize anyone feeding he dogs on hospital premises," she said. Her trust helped DLF Porur establish such a zone for its campus. "Arbitrary removal makes no sense. Responsible coexistence must be the way forward," she said.


The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Health Department recalls services of 28 employees deputed as Food Safety Officers
The State Health Department has recalled the services of 28 employees, who were deployed on deputation in the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department to serve as Food Safety Officers (FSOs). This follows a review of the service particulars of these officers deputed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. According to a government order (GO) issued on July 23, these officers did not possess the educational qualifications prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011, at the time of their functional appointment or deputation to the Food Safety and Drug Administration department. Further, some among them have obtained degrees from open or distance education institutions but that is done without prior departmental approval, which renders their qualifications ineligible under the rules in force. The officers had approached the Karnataka High Court seeking regularisation of their services as FSOs and also a revision of pay scale. However, the Court rejected their petition. It said 'they were not regularly recruited, appointed, or absorbed into the said posts in accordance with the Cadre and Recruitment Rules, 2015. Besides, they also did not possess the required qualifications at the time of their functional appointment or deputation,' the GO stated. 'In view of their ineligibility for regularisation and in the interest of legal and administrative propriety, the government has ordered that they should be repatriated with immediate effect to their parent department (Health and Family Welfare Department). The repatriated officers should report to the State Health Commissioner for further posting through counselling. The Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration, should take necessary action to relieve the 28 officers and ensure that all statutory enforcement functions under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, are reassigned to the concerned Taluk Health Officers (THOs) with immediate effect, until further orders. Further, the THOs who are assigned the responsibility of Food Safety Officers should undergo the required training,' the GO stated. Deputation period Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, told The Hindu that as per Rule 16 of the Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977, the permissible maximum deputation period of eight years, including extensions, has already been completed in respect of these officers. 'In light of the above and considering the potential legal complications arising from the continued discharge of statutory enforcement functions by ineligible personnel, it is concluded that their deputation as food safety officers cannot be continued any further. Therefore, action has been initiated to repatriate such officers to their parent cadre in the Health and Family Welfare Department,' he said.


News18
2 days ago
- News18
Indians Can Take 30-Day Earned Leave To Care For Elderly Parents. What Do Other Countries Offer?
Central government employees can use 30 days of earned leave annually to care for elderly parents, enhancing family balance and mental health Central government employees in India can now utilise their paid leave to care for elderly parents, providing much-needed support for work-life balance. The employees are entitled to up to 30 days of earned leave each year, which can be utilised for personal reasons including caring for elderly parents. This provision is expected to greatly benefit employees who previously found it difficult to balance work and family caregiving responsibilities. It aims to improve family harmony and support mental well-being. Importantly, this is not a new category of 'special leave' but part of the existing earned leave under the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, now specifically permitted for such purposes. In addition to earned leave, central government employees are entitled to: Union Minister of State for Personnel, Dr Jitendra Singh, recently confirmed this provision in the Rajya Sabha. His statement responded to an inquiry regarding whether government employees could take leave to care for elderly parents. Comparative Leave Provisions Across Countries Leave entitlements for caring for elderly or ill family members differ globally: United States of America: The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) grants up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for serious family health issues. Some states, including California, New Jersey, and New York, offer paid family leave schemes. Canada: Federal and provincial laws provide leave options, often paid or partially paid, for caring for seriously ill relatives. European Union: Various countries offer paid, partially paid, or unpaid family care leave. Sweden, Norway, and Germany, for example, allow leave to care for sick family members, including elderly parents. Japan: Leave for family care is generally unpaid but may qualify for unemployment insurance benefits under certain circumstances. South Korea: Family care leave exists, usually unpaid but occasionally supported by financial assistance. These provisions vary widely in terms of length, payment, and eligibility. Types Of Leave Under Central Civil Services Rules, 1972 The Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 came into effect on June 1, 1972. They govern leave for all government employees except those covered by separate regulations (e.g., railway employees, All-India Services members). Types of leave under these rules include: Leave credits are posted twice annually, on January 1 and July 1, and deducted when leave is taken. Other leaves such as casual, restricted, compensatory, and special casual leave are regulated by government instructions. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.