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Time of India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
PU lecturers yet to receive remuneration for exam evaluation
Mangaluru: Nearly 65,000 lecturers from PU colleges across the state who evaluated the II PU answer scripts are yet to receive their remuneration. The evaluation for exam 1 was completed by the end of March, followed by exam 2 in May. Currently, the evaluation for exam 3 is under way, and is expected to be completed within a day or two. Ningegowda AH, president, Karnataka State PU College Lecturers' Association, said that earlier, bulk allotment was followed for disbursing payments, but this year, the direct bank transfer (DBT) system was introduced, which is facing technical issues. "The KSEAB collects Rs 400 from each candidate as exam fees, but the actual expenditure per student exceeds Rs 675. The board has sought Rs 90 crore to cover remuneration and other related expenses," said Ningegowda. Ningegowda noted that each lecturer spends around Rs 50,000 on expenses, including accommodation, during the evaluation period, a significant burden, especially for non-permanent lecturers. "We met the officials concerned, and they have given us written assurance that the payment will be cleared within a month," he added. He further added that staff involved in the evaluation of exam 3 had decided to boycott the process due to the delay in remuneration. "However, following the intervention of the association, they agreed to call off the protest," he said. Jayanand Suvarna, principal of Government PU College, Shaktinagar, and president of the Dakshina Kannada Pre-University Colleges Principals' Association, said that until the last academic year, bills were submitted manually, and the remuneration was transferred to the DDPU office, which then disbursed the payments to individual accounts. This year, however, the KSEAB introduced a new software system to disburse the honorarium directly through DBT. According to sources, lecturers are paid about Rs 864 for evaluating 24 answer scripts in addtion to TA and DA. The affected lecturers said that software issue should have been rectified in advance. "We submitted all the bills and documents on time. The delay is from the KSEAB's side. Why should we be made to suffer for no fault of ours?" they questioned.
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Hampshire Post Office victim 'still at war' as she gets OBE
A victim of the Post Office computer scandal has said she will continue to fight for compensation for colleagues, as she received an OBE at Buckingham Hamilton, 68, was falsely prosecuted in 2006 for a £36,000 shortfall at her branch in South Warnborough, accepted a financial settlement in 2024, but said it was "wicked" that 138 former sub-postmasters were still battling for Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said it had paid more than £1bn so far. Mrs Hamilton, who received her honour for services to justice on Thursday, said: "Personally my claim's been settled but I cannot, cannot stop fighting until the rest of the group get paid. "We fought in the High Court in 2019 and it took years to even get it to court... 138 of those people are still fighting. One hundred are dead."And I just find the whole thing wicked that they cannot be fair with people."On Friday, police said seven suspects had been identified in connection with the criminal trial might be not be held until 2028, detectives Hamilton said the DBT had claimed that there was little money for compensation, although it had employed an "army of lawyers" to "grind us into submission".She added: "Basically the Business Department owned the Post Office and they prosecuted us and destroyed us and they're now in charge of the compensation."It really is the fox in charge of the henhouse."It should go to an independent body to be fair and they'd stop spending hundreds of millions they've spent on lawyers, which is obscene."The Horizon IT system, which began operating in 1999, falsely created shortfalls in Post Office branches for which sub-postmasters were held than 900 people were prosecuted and some went to prison. In a statement, DBT said: "We pay tribute to all the postmasters including Jo who have suffered from the Horizon scandal."We have quadrupled the total amount paid to victims with more than £1bn paid to thousands of postmasters across the UK and anyone unhappy with their offer can have their case reviewed by an independent panel of experts." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Time Business News
a day ago
- Health
- Time Business News
Exploring the Latest Advances in Addiction Recovery Treatment for Long-Term Sobriety
Addiction treatment has undergone a metamorphic shift from punitive models to compassionate care. In earlier decades, recovery often mirrored abstinence-only dogmas, lacking scientific depth and individualization. Facilities were institutional in feel, often prioritizing control over healing. Over time, a deeper understanding of addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disorder has replaced moral judgment with medical insight. Today's approach emphasizes neurobiological underpinnings, psychosocial contributors, and whole-person healing. The clinical framework now blends evidence-based therapies with patient-centered practices. This paradigm shift not only destigmatizes the recovery process but also equips individuals with sophisticated tools for lasting sobriety Facing the struggle of dependency can feel isolating, but with the right guidance and support, recovery becomes a real possibility. Modern approaches combine medical care, counseling, behavioral therapy, and peer support to address both the physical and psychological roots of substance use. Addiction Treatment empowers individuals to rebuild their lives with purpose and resilience. By focusing on healing the whole person rather than just the symptoms, these programs offer a comprehensive path to long-term recovery. Taking that first step might be difficult, but it's also the beginning of a healthier, more fulfilling future. Modern neuroscience has unlocked profound revelations about the addicted brain. Substance use disorders are now seen through the lens of neural circuitry disruption, particularly within the reward, motivation, and executive function pathways. This insight has sparked a wave of innovative treatments. Neuromodulation techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) are gaining traction. These therapies aim to recalibrate neural imbalances, offering new hope to those resistant to conventional treatment. Additionally, neurofeedback, a non-invasive biofeedback technique, allows patients to gain conscious control over brainwave patterns, promoting emotional regulation and reducing cravings. Medication-assisted treatment has evolved from a one-size-fits-all model into a nuanced, tailored practice. Traditional agents like methadone and buprenorphine remain cornerstones, but newer medications—such as extended-release naltrexone—are enhancing adherence and minimizing diversion risks. Breakthroughs in pharmacogenomics now enable clinicians to customize treatment based on an individual's genetic profile. Precision dosing reduces adverse effects and optimizes therapeutic efficacy. Novel compounds, including psychedelic-assisted therapies like psilocybin under clinical investigation, are reshaping MAT's boundaries, particularly for treatment-resistant cases. Psychotherapy in addiction care has moved far beyond talk therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) remain staples, but integrative modalities are expanding their reach. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), once confined to trauma therapy, is increasingly used for addiction-related PTSD. Somatic experiencing and sensorimotor psychotherapy address the physiological imprints of trauma. These body-centered approaches reconnect individuals with their physical selves, healing trauma stored in muscles and tissues. Trauma-informed care, which avoids re-traumatization through empathetic engagement, now permeates most leading treatment centers. Beyond clinical walls, alternative therapies are carving a legitimate space in recovery. Mindfulness practices like Vipassana meditation, breathwork, and yoga cultivate present-moment awareness and inner calm. Bioenergetic healing, such as reiki and chakra alignment, appeals to those seeking spiritual realignment alongside sobriety. Creative therapies—including music, drama, and visual art—provide expressive outlets for buried emotions. Equine-assisted therapy, involving structured interactions with horses, fosters empathy, trust, and nonverbal communication. These therapies, while sometimes viewed as unconventional, often prove transformative when integrated into a broader recovery plan. Technology has become a critical ally in addiction treatment. Mobile applications offer daily accountability, craving tracking, and virtual support meetings. Telehealth expands access to licensed professionals, especially in rural or underserved areas. Artificial intelligence is now being harnessed to predict relapse patterns based on behavioral data and biometrics. Wearable devices monitor physiological indicators such as heart rate variability and sleep disturbances, signaling potential relapse triggers in real-time. These innovations promote a proactive, data-driven recovery ecosystem. Sustained sobriety thrives on connection. Recovery coaching, often provided by individuals with lived experience, delivers ongoing mentorship beyond clinical discharge. Peer-led groups such as SMART Recovery and Refuge Recovery offer alternatives to traditional 12-step models, focusing on self-empowerment and mindfulness. Structured sober living homes provide safe, substance-free environments that bridge the gap between treatment and full reintegration. Long-term care models, incorporating employment support, life skills training, and alumni networks, fortify recovery beyond the first fragile months. Addiction recovery is no longer a static journey but a dynamic, multidimensional path guided by science, empathy, and innovation. From neurobiological breakthroughs to AI-driven support, each advancement propels the field closer to truly individualized care. Long-term sobriety is increasingly attainable—not through isolated willpower, but through a constellation of strategies that honor the complexity of the human experience. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Sky News
2 days ago
- Business
- Sky News
Post Office scandal: Government has not done enough to ensure compensation for victims, committee of MPs finds
The government has not done enough to ensure all victims entitled to compensation from the Post Office scandal have applied for it, a report has found. Many current and former postmasters affected by Horizon IT failings and associated miscarriages of justice are not yet receiving fair and timely compensation, according to the report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Only 21% of the 18,500 letters the Post Office sent to postmasters to make them aware of the Horizon Shortfall Scheme had been responded to, figures provided by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) show. About 5,000 further letters are expected to be sent in 2025. Long-time Post Office victims campaigner Sir Alan Bates told Sky News: "What is evident is that the PAC, along with ourselves, are dismayed about the length of time all this is taking and the failure of all victims to be contacted. "It really only goes to support what I have been saying time and time again, that government departments are the entirely wrong people to run these types of schemes as they only grind them into the dust with bureaucracy." Under the scheme, current and former postmasters who were financially affected by the Horizon IT system, but who were either not convicted or did not take the Post Office to the High Court, can either settle their claim for a final fixed sum of £75,000 or have it fully assessed. There is also the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS), which is for sub-postmasters who had their convictions quashed after the passing of the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Act last year. The 800 or so sub-postmasters who are eligible to claim under the HCRS are entitled to a £600,000 full and final settlement, or the option to pursue a full claim assessment. By the end of March, 339 had accepted the settlement sum, the report by the PAC, which is made up of MPs from all sides of the House of Commons, found. But the PAC report states the government has no plans to follow up with people who are, or may be, eligible to claim but are yet to apply. 3:09 The committee recommends that the DBT should outline what more it will do to ensure every affected postmaster is fully aware of their options for claiming. A third scheme provides compensation to sub-postmasters who were wrongly convicted of fraud, theft and false accounting. Of the 111 sub-postmasters eligible to claim for the Overturned Convictions Scheme and who are either entitled to a £600,000 full and final settlement, or to pursue a full claim assessment, 25 have not yet submitted a claim, some of whom represent the most complex cases. The DBT has taken over the management of the scheme from the Post Office, and the PAC report recommends the department should outline how it plans to handle the remaining cases under the scheme. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, chair of the PAC, said thousands of people were "deeply failed" by the system during "one of the UK's worst ever miscarriages of justice". He added: "This committee would have hoped to have found government laser-focused on ensuring all those eligible were fully and fairly compensated for what happened. "It is deeply dissatisfactory to find these schemes still moving far too slowly, with no government plans to track down the majority of potential claimants who may not yet be aware of their proper entitlements. "It is entirely unacceptable that those affected by this scandal, some of whom have had to go through the courts to clear their names, are being forced to relitigate their cases a second time."
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
UK's global trade outlook sees India becoming third-largest economy by 2028; British businesses eye tariff cuts worth £900 million
NEW DELHI: As India emerges as the "standout growth engine" of Asia, the UK government has placed the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) at the centre of its new trade strategy and global economic outlook, projecting it as a key tool to unlock billions in growth and provide a major edge to British businesses over global competitors. Unveiled on Thursday by the department for business and trade (DBT), the 'UK's Trade Strategy' and 'Global Trade Outlook 2025' outline a renewed focus on strategic FTAs, with India identified as a core driver of future prosperity. 'Asia's centre of growth is expected to shift from China to India,' the report states, forecasting India to become the third-largest economy by 2028. India-UK FTA: A 'landmark deal' The agreement, concluded early last month and expected to be formally signed by the end of August, is being hailed as 'transformative'. Once in effect, the FTA will offer immediate tariff relief of up to £400 million a year for UK exporters, potentially rising to £900 million over a decade. These gains are before factoring in faster customs procedures and digital trade facilitation. Key UK exports such as whisky, cosmetics, and medical devices will see Indian tariffs slashed, while 90% of tariff lines for UK exports will be locked in for long-term relief. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like A failing liver is taking my son away from me! Help him! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo The FTA is also expected to increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion, raise UK GDP by £4.8 billion, and boost wages by £2.2 billion annually in the long run. A new trade playbook 'What works for business, works for Britain,' said Prime Minister Keir Starmer, highlighting the India deal among others with the US and EU. 'Broad and complex trade deals like we secured with India will bring billions to our economy every year.' Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds called the India FTA a model of the government's Plan for Change, focused on 'more agile, targeted deals' that cater to high-growth sectors. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed India's readiness to move swiftly once legal formalities conclude. 'We'll be ready as soon as the legal scrubbing is done,' he said during a recent UK visit. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
