TIRUVARUR: Gauge conversion on the main line between Villupuram and Mayiladuturai will be completed by June, Union Minister of State for Railways R. Velu said here on Friday.
Flagging off train services in the newly converted broad gauge section between Tiruvarur and Nagore at a function held here, Mr. Velu said there was some delay in the completion of gauge conversion on the main line as there were big bridges across Kollidam and Gedilam rivers. Rain and flood also delayed the work.
The stretch between Sirkali and Chidambaram, where old and new bridges of Kollidam exist, remain to be completed, he added. “It will be completed by June and train services introduced thereafter. After that train service to Chennai from Nagore, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur will increase meeting the demands of the people. In the meantime, I will explore the possibility of attaching two coaches from Nagore to the Rockfort Express,” the Minister said. He said that the new broad gauge line between Nagapattinam and Velankanni would be completed in two months. Similarly, the new BG line between Karaikal and Nagore would also be completed in two months. The Minister laid the foundation stone for a new broad gauge line between Nagapattinam and Tiruturaipoondi via Velankanni, Palakurichi, Thirukuvalai and Ettukudi. Dairy Development Minister U. Mathivanan and A.K.S.Vijayan, Nagapattinam MP earlier made a demand for operating a train from Nagore to Chennai via Thanjavur and Tiruchi till completion of gauge conversion on the main line.
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Saturday, February 28, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Tirupur is a district now
COIMBATORE: Local Administration Minister M K Stalin on Sunday inaugurated the newly formed Tirupur district at a function held at Iduvampalayam Government Higher Secondary School.
Stalin said a new mofussil bus stand would come up in Tirupur district and added that three places had been chosen for this purpose.
An announcement in this regard would be made during the budget session, he said.
Pointing out that more districts were formed only during the DMK regime, he said that Tuticorin, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Namakkal, Karur, Theni and Tiruvarur were some of the collectorates brought forth by the DMK government between 1996 and 2001.
On the comprehensive water supply scheme, he said the New Tirupur Area Development Ltd (NTADL) had been implementing the project at a cost of Rs 453 crore catering to the needs of the Tirupur people.
Revenue and Housing Minister I Periasami said bifurcation of districts was being initiated only for the convenience of the people.
Later,Stalin gave away welfare measures of Rs 12.58 crore to 3,891 beneficiaries.
Others who were present at the function included Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Subbulakshmi Jegadeesan, Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N Palanisamy, Highways Minister M P Saminathan, Chief Secretary K S Sripathy, Corporation Mayor K Selvaraj and Coimbatore district Collector V Palanikumar, Erode district Collector Mahesan Kasirajan and the Tirupur district Collector C Samaymoorthy.
Stalin said a new mofussil bus stand would come up in Tirupur district and added that three places had been chosen for this purpose.
An announcement in this regard would be made during the budget session, he said.
Pointing out that more districts were formed only during the DMK regime, he said that Tuticorin, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Namakkal, Karur, Theni and Tiruvarur were some of the collectorates brought forth by the DMK government between 1996 and 2001.
On the comprehensive water supply scheme, he said the New Tirupur Area Development Ltd (NTADL) had been implementing the project at a cost of Rs 453 crore catering to the needs of the Tirupur people.
Revenue and Housing Minister I Periasami said bifurcation of districts was being initiated only for the convenience of the people.
Later,Stalin gave away welfare measures of Rs 12.58 crore to 3,891 beneficiaries.
Others who were present at the function included Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Subbulakshmi Jegadeesan, Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N Palanisamy, Highways Minister M P Saminathan, Chief Secretary K S Sripathy, Corporation Mayor K Selvaraj and Coimbatore district Collector V Palanikumar, Erode district Collector Mahesan Kasirajan and the Tirupur district Collector C Samaymoorthy.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Villupuram Collector inspects prospective counting centres
VILLUPURAM: The district administration has started preparatory works for the coming Lok Sabha elections.
Collector R. Palanisamy, along with Superintendent of Police A. Amalraj and other officials, on Thursday visited three places to ascertain their suitability for a counting centre.
3 places
Later, Mr. Palanisamy told presspersons that he inspected Ramakrishna School, the Market Committee premises and Government Arts Colleges. After a consultation with election officers, the counting centre for Villupuram parliamentary constituency, comprising Tindivanam (Reserve), Vanur (Reserve), Thirukkoilur, Ulundurpet, Villupuram and Vikkiravandi Assembly segments, would be decided.
Collector R. Palanisamy, along with Superintendent of Police A. Amalraj and other officials, on Thursday visited three places to ascertain their suitability for a counting centre.
3 places
Later, Mr. Palanisamy told presspersons that he inspected Ramakrishna School, the Market Committee premises and Government Arts Colleges. After a consultation with election officers, the counting centre for Villupuram parliamentary constituency, comprising Tindivanam (Reserve), Vanur (Reserve), Thirukkoilur, Ulundurpet, Villupuram and Vikkiravandi Assembly segments, would be decided.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Study on Dalit employees reveals discrimination
MADURAI: A majority of Dalit Government employees, including sweepers, teachers and even doctors, are facing discrimination at workplace, according to a recent study conducted by Evidence, a human rights organisation here.
The study claimed that they were “humiliated, intimidated, isolated or subjected to other kinds of emotional torture” by their colleagues and higher officials. The discrimination at workplace also affected their familial life.
A. Kathir, Director of Evidence, said that the project was undertaken by collecting data from 77 government servants of whom five were women. Only those who agreed to affix their signatures in the questionnaires were included in the study.
Employees of education, highways, revenue, health and other departments in Cuddalore, Villupuram, Vellore, Salem, Dharmapuri, Pudukkotai, Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Sivaganga and Tirunelveli were interviewed.
A 33-year-old orthopaedician in a Government Hospital at Cuddalore had told that he was asked to treat only Dalit patients. Fellow doctors and other staff members also commented before him that beneficiaries of reservation were always incompetent.
Similarly, a 48-year-old schoolteacher from Vellore said that he was ill-treated by the headmaster who often made fun of him in the presence of other teachers. He claimed that many caste Hindu students did not respect him.
Of the 77 interviewees, 75 agreed that they were subjected to caste discrimination. Thirty eight per cent said that they were victimised in service-related issues, while 30 per cent said that they were humiliated for their physical appearance.
Plaints with rights panel
Forty seven government employees had lodged complaints with their higher officials or the National/State Human Rights Commission. But only four of them managed to get a solution to problems faced by them. Thirteen had approached courts.
Thirty Dalits stated that trade unions, particularly those meant for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, had supported them in seeking justice. Further, out of the five women, three said they were subjected to gender discrimination.
The only consoling factor the study found was that 49 interviewees did not face caste discrimination in their localities as against 34 people who claimed that they were discriminated both at their workplace and surroundings.
The study claimed that they were “humiliated, intimidated, isolated or subjected to other kinds of emotional torture” by their colleagues and higher officials. The discrimination at workplace also affected their familial life.
A. Kathir, Director of Evidence, said that the project was undertaken by collecting data from 77 government servants of whom five were women. Only those who agreed to affix their signatures in the questionnaires were included in the study.
Employees of education, highways, revenue, health and other departments in Cuddalore, Villupuram, Vellore, Salem, Dharmapuri, Pudukkotai, Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Sivaganga and Tirunelveli were interviewed.
A 33-year-old orthopaedician in a Government Hospital at Cuddalore had told that he was asked to treat only Dalit patients. Fellow doctors and other staff members also commented before him that beneficiaries of reservation were always incompetent.
Similarly, a 48-year-old schoolteacher from Vellore said that he was ill-treated by the headmaster who often made fun of him in the presence of other teachers. He claimed that many caste Hindu students did not respect him.
Of the 77 interviewees, 75 agreed that they were subjected to caste discrimination. Thirty eight per cent said that they were victimised in service-related issues, while 30 per cent said that they were humiliated for their physical appearance.
Plaints with rights panel
Forty seven government employees had lodged complaints with their higher officials or the National/State Human Rights Commission. But only four of them managed to get a solution to problems faced by them. Thirteen had approached courts.
Thirty Dalits stated that trade unions, particularly those meant for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, had supported them in seeking justice. Further, out of the five women, three said they were subjected to gender discrimination.
The only consoling factor the study found was that 49 interviewees did not face caste discrimination in their localities as against 34 people who claimed that they were discriminated both at their workplace and surroundings.
Study on Dalit employees reveals discrimination
MADURAI: A majority of Dalit Government employees, including sweepers, teachers and even doctors, are facing discrimination at workplace, according to a recent study conducted by Evidence, a human rights organisation here.
The study claimed that they were “humiliated, intimidated, isolated or subjected to other kinds of emotional torture” by their colleagues and higher officials. The discrimination at workplace also affected their familial life.
A. Kathir, Director of Evidence, said that the project was undertaken by collecting data from 77 government servants of whom five were women. Only those who agreed to affix their signatures in the questionnaires were included in the study.
Employees of education, highways, revenue, health and other departments in Cuddalore, Villupuram, Vellore, Salem, Dharmapuri, Pudukkotai, Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Sivaganga and Tirunelveli were interviewed.
A 33-year-old orthopaedician in a Government Hospital at Cuddalore had told that he was asked to treat only Dalit patients. Fellow doctors and other staff members also commented before him that beneficiaries of reservation were always incompetent.
Similarly, a 48-year-old schoolteacher from Vellore said that he was ill-treated by the headmaster who often made fun of him in the presence of other teachers. He claimed that many caste Hindu students did not respect him.
Of the 77 interviewees, 75 agreed that they were subjected to caste discrimination. Thirty eight per cent said that they were victimised in service-related issues, while 30 per cent said that they were humiliated for their physical appearance.
Plaints with rights panel
Forty seven government employees had lodged complaints with their higher officials or the National/State Human Rights Commission. But only four of them managed to get a solution to problems faced by them. Thirteen had approached courts.
Thirty Dalits stated that trade unions, particularly those meant for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, had supported them in seeking justice. Further, out of the five women, three said they were subjected to gender discrimination.
The only consoling factor the study found was that 49 interviewees did not face caste discrimination in their localities as against 34 people who claimed that they were discriminated both at their workplace and surroundings.
The study claimed that they were “humiliated, intimidated, isolated or subjected to other kinds of emotional torture” by their colleagues and higher officials. The discrimination at workplace also affected their familial life.
A. Kathir, Director of Evidence, said that the project was undertaken by collecting data from 77 government servants of whom five were women. Only those who agreed to affix their signatures in the questionnaires were included in the study.
Employees of education, highways, revenue, health and other departments in Cuddalore, Villupuram, Vellore, Salem, Dharmapuri, Pudukkotai, Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Sivaganga and Tirunelveli were interviewed.
A 33-year-old orthopaedician in a Government Hospital at Cuddalore had told that he was asked to treat only Dalit patients. Fellow doctors and other staff members also commented before him that beneficiaries of reservation were always incompetent.
Similarly, a 48-year-old schoolteacher from Vellore said that he was ill-treated by the headmaster who often made fun of him in the presence of other teachers. He claimed that many caste Hindu students did not respect him.
Of the 77 interviewees, 75 agreed that they were subjected to caste discrimination. Thirty eight per cent said that they were victimised in service-related issues, while 30 per cent said that they were humiliated for their physical appearance.
Plaints with rights panel
Forty seven government employees had lodged complaints with their higher officials or the National/State Human Rights Commission. But only four of them managed to get a solution to problems faced by them. Thirteen had approached courts.
Thirty Dalits stated that trade unions, particularly those meant for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, had supported them in seeking justice. Further, out of the five women, three said they were subjected to gender discrimination.
The only consoling factor the study found was that 49 interviewees did not face caste discrimination in their localities as against 34 people who claimed that they were discriminated both at their workplace and surroundings.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Ponmudy gives away aid to SHGs
VILLUPURAM: Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy gave away revolving funds and bank loans to the tune of Rs 40 crore to self-help groups at a function held here on Monday.
He also inaugurated the two ‘uzhavar sandhais’ set up at a cost of Rs 50 lakh at Ginjee and Ulundurpet, and laid the foundation for a Rs 1.25-crore drainage facility.
To mark the birth centenary of the former Chief Minister, C.N. Annadurai, he paid floral tributes to his portrait. Mr. Ponmudy said Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had made Annadurai’s and E.V. Ramasamy Naicker’s dream of the economic empower of women a reality. He said the concept, launched by Mr. Karuananidhi in 1989, had now become a movement. Villupuram alone boasted of 17,000 groups, but given the women population, there was a need for more groups.
He also inaugurated the two ‘uzhavar sandhais’ set up at a cost of Rs 50 lakh at Ginjee and Ulundurpet, and laid the foundation for a Rs 1.25-crore drainage facility.
To mark the birth centenary of the former Chief Minister, C.N. Annadurai, he paid floral tributes to his portrait. Mr. Ponmudy said Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had made Annadurai’s and E.V. Ramasamy Naicker’s dream of the economic empower of women a reality. He said the concept, launched by Mr. Karuananidhi in 1989, had now become a movement. Villupuram alone boasted of 17,000 groups, but given the women population, there was a need for more groups.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
State to get five new trains
CHENNAI: Five new trains and extension of two services have been proposed for Tamil Nadu in the interim budget submitted by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad in Parliament on Friday. No new projects have been included, as in the previous budgets the Railway Ministry had sanctioned crucial gauge conversion and new lines, which are in various stages of completion.
The new trains announced are: Bilaspur-Tirunelveli weekly express via Thiruvananthapuram; Senkottai-Erode Passenger (daily); Tiruchi-Madurai Express (daily); Mumbai-Tirunelveli Superfast Express via Thiruvananthapuram; and Coimbatore-Tuticorin link service (daily).
Train No. 6865/6866 Ernakulam- Tiruchi Express will be extended to Nagore via Thanjavur. Train No. 6507/6508 Jodhpur-Bangalore Express will run up to Coimbatore.
In the last railway budget, nine new train services were proposed. According to a Southern Railway official here, the State does not require new projects, but needs sufficient funds for ongoing works. All metre gauge sections have either been converted or are in the process of conversion. Completion of gauge conversion projects such as Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai via Cuddalore, Quilon-Senkottai, and Tirunelveli-Senkottai, sanctioned long back, have been delayed. The new line from Salem to Karur, cleared a decade ago, is yet to become a reality.
Electrification of the Villupuram-Tiruchi-Madurai section and doubling of the Chengalpattu-Villupuram section are two other major projects in various stages of completion.
At present, the administration is trying to cope with the demand by introducing special trains. Time-bound completion of these projects is essential for the benefit of passengers, the official said.
The new trains announced are: Bilaspur-Tirunelveli weekly express via Thiruvananthapuram; Senkottai-Erode Passenger (daily); Tiruchi-Madurai Express (daily); Mumbai-Tirunelveli Superfast Express via Thiruvananthapuram; and Coimbatore-Tuticorin link service (daily).
Train No. 6865/6866 Ernakulam- Tiruchi Express will be extended to Nagore via Thanjavur. Train No. 6507/6508 Jodhpur-Bangalore Express will run up to Coimbatore.
In the last railway budget, nine new train services were proposed. According to a Southern Railway official here, the State does not require new projects, but needs sufficient funds for ongoing works. All metre gauge sections have either been converted or are in the process of conversion. Completion of gauge conversion projects such as Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai via Cuddalore, Quilon-Senkottai, and Tirunelveli-Senkottai, sanctioned long back, have been delayed. The new line from Salem to Karur, cleared a decade ago, is yet to become a reality.
Electrification of the Villupuram-Tiruchi-Madurai section and doubling of the Chengalpattu-Villupuram section are two other major projects in various stages of completion.
At present, the administration is trying to cope with the demand by introducing special trains. Time-bound completion of these projects is essential for the benefit of passengers, the official said.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Admission to Villupuram medical college from next academic year: Ponmudy
VILLUPURAM: Admission to the government medical college at Villupuram will commence from the next academic year, said Higher Education Minister K.Ponmudy on Friday.
After inspecting construction of the college buildings at Mundiampakkam near here on Friday, he told reporters that work was progressing at a fast pace. To expedite the construction, the contracts were awarded to two contractors. The Minister further said lands for the two government engineering colleges, affiliated to Anna University--Chennai, had been identified. The Villupuram government engineering college would be set up on 18 acres at Ka.Kuppam.
Thanks to the support extended by Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi and Agriculture Minister Veerapandi S. Arumugam, land could be acquired from the Agriculture Department.
Another government engineering college would be established on 16 acres near Tindivanam Government Arts College. The works on both the colleges would begin this month. The Minister hoped that with the setting up of a government medical college and two government engineering colleges, higher education in Villupuram district would get a thrust.
After inspecting construction of the college buildings at Mundiampakkam near here on Friday, he told reporters that work was progressing at a fast pace. To expedite the construction, the contracts were awarded to two contractors. The Minister further said lands for the two government engineering colleges, affiliated to Anna University--Chennai, had been identified. The Villupuram government engineering college would be set up on 18 acres at Ka.Kuppam.
Thanks to the support extended by Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi and Agriculture Minister Veerapandi S. Arumugam, land could be acquired from the Agriculture Department.
Another government engineering college would be established on 16 acres near Tindivanam Government Arts College. The works on both the colleges would begin this month. The Minister hoped that with the setting up of a government medical college and two government engineering colleges, higher education in Villupuram district would get a thrust.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Southern rly presents budget wishlist
CHENNAI: With the Ministry of Railways getting prepared to present the vote-on-account, the Southern Railway has presented a ‘Wish list’ before the ministry.
This list includes various proposals made by the Southern Railway to get support for continuing the infrastructure development in passenger and goods transportation.
“The priority areas are like improving passenger amenities, renewed security measures and increasing the height of the platforms,” said Neenu Ittyearh, official spokesperson for the railways.
It is informed that the proposal includes Rs 130.4 crore for freight terminals, Rs 47.6 crore for manning level crossings, Rs 50.7 crore for building road over bridges and Rs 145 crore for passenger amenities.
The amount will be spent on the freight terminals at Salem, Erode, Trichy and Kazhakuttam.
Level crossings will be manned at Chennai, Salem, Trichy, Trivandrum and Madurai divisions.
Road over bridge works will be at Shoranur- Kollam, Trichy-Dindugal, Villupuram- Trichy, Madurai-Tirunelveli and others sectors.
This list includes various proposals made by the Southern Railway to get support for continuing the infrastructure development in passenger and goods transportation.
“The priority areas are like improving passenger amenities, renewed security measures and increasing the height of the platforms,” said Neenu Ittyearh, official spokesperson for the railways.
It is informed that the proposal includes Rs 130.4 crore for freight terminals, Rs 47.6 crore for manning level crossings, Rs 50.7 crore for building road over bridges and Rs 145 crore for passenger amenities.
The amount will be spent on the freight terminals at Salem, Erode, Trichy and Kazhakuttam.
Level crossings will be manned at Chennai, Salem, Trichy, Trivandrum and Madurai divisions.
Road over bridge works will be at Shoranur- Kollam, Trichy-Dindugal, Villupuram- Trichy, Madurai-Tirunelveli and others sectors.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Kidnapped Indian in Afghanistan dead
NEW DELHI: Simon Paranthaman (39), kidnapped in Afghanistan for ransom, is dead, according to official sources here. “We have lost him,” they said.
Paranthaman, who hails from a village near Kallakurichi in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu, was abducted along with two Afghans in October last from Herat province in western Afghanistan. He is survived by wife Vasanthi, daughter Nirmala (10) and son Ajit (8).
He was travelling in a vehicle with the driver and an interpreter to deliver food on behalf of his employer, Italian food company Ciano International, to Italian troops at a base when the abductors struck.
His brother Subramaniam too works for the company and it was he who informed about the kidnapping to their family. Subramaniam had secured the job for Paranthaman.
There was no word on whether the Taliban was behind his killing. The sources said besides the Taliban, a number of gangs indulged in kidnappings for ransom or sought protection money.
The news of Paranthaman’s death was conveyed on Monday by the Afghan authorities to the Indian Embassy in Kabul, the sources said.
When the report of the kidnapping surfaced after Paranthaman spoke to his brother, then working in Kabul, government sources here asked the media not to air the news as they feared it might jeopardise the chances of his release.
Paranthaman reportedly told his brother that he was being held in a room by some militants, who were demanding ransom.
Some media channels carried the news and after this nothing was heard about him.
Cuddalore Special Correspondent reports:
Simon Paranthaman’s family hopes that the Central and State governments would take steps to get his body back home.
His elder sister Muniamma told The Hindu that after killing Paranthaman, the terrorists, who earlier demanded ransom, wanted the release of the son of a terrorist in an Afghan jail to hand over his body.
Ms Muniamma said Paranthaman’s two children noted down everyday happenings in notebooks to share them with him when he returned. “Now they are deeply grieved and at least hope to see their father’s body.”
Sources said the Collector’s office here had not received any official communication about the death and efforts were on through the Chief Minister’s office, the Home Department and the Protocol office to confirm the news and take necessary action.
Paranthaman, who hails from a village near Kallakurichi in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu, was abducted along with two Afghans in October last from Herat province in western Afghanistan. He is survived by wife Vasanthi, daughter Nirmala (10) and son Ajit (8).
He was travelling in a vehicle with the driver and an interpreter to deliver food on behalf of his employer, Italian food company Ciano International, to Italian troops at a base when the abductors struck.
His brother Subramaniam too works for the company and it was he who informed about the kidnapping to their family. Subramaniam had secured the job for Paranthaman.
There was no word on whether the Taliban was behind his killing. The sources said besides the Taliban, a number of gangs indulged in kidnappings for ransom or sought protection money.
The news of Paranthaman’s death was conveyed on Monday by the Afghan authorities to the Indian Embassy in Kabul, the sources said.
When the report of the kidnapping surfaced after Paranthaman spoke to his brother, then working in Kabul, government sources here asked the media not to air the news as they feared it might jeopardise the chances of his release.
Paranthaman reportedly told his brother that he was being held in a room by some militants, who were demanding ransom.
Some media channels carried the news and after this nothing was heard about him.
Cuddalore Special Correspondent reports:
Simon Paranthaman’s family hopes that the Central and State governments would take steps to get his body back home.
His elder sister Muniamma told The Hindu that after killing Paranthaman, the terrorists, who earlier demanded ransom, wanted the release of the son of a terrorist in an Afghan jail to hand over his body.
Ms Muniamma said Paranthaman’s two children noted down everyday happenings in notebooks to share them with him when he returned. “Now they are deeply grieved and at least hope to see their father’s body.”
Sources said the Collector’s office here had not received any official communication about the death and efforts were on through the Chief Minister’s office, the Home Department and the Protocol office to confirm the news and take necessary action.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Legal Aid Cell building opened
VILLUPURAM: Madras High Court Judge M. Jayapal on Saturday inaugurated the Legal Aid Cell building constructed at a cost of Rs. 6 lakh at Tindivanam near here.
Tindivanam MP K. Dhanraj had allotted funds from the MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) Funds.
Mr. Justice Jayapal said that till December 31, 2008 a total of 39,019 Lok Adalats were held in the State. Through these sessions, 3,88,917 cases were adjudicated and compensation of over Rs. 1,631 crore given. As many as 34,019 legal awareness camps were held in villages and 8,02,930 applications received.
As of now, there were 26 Legal Aid Cells in Tamil Nadu. Mr. Justice Jayapal said that for want of judges, over three crore cases were pending disposal across the country.
He stressed the need for conducting more legal awareness camps.
Lok Adalats had enabled the economically weaker sections to get justice at their doorstep.
Villupuram Collector R. Palanisamy had allotted a three-acre land for setting up an integrated court complex in Tindivanam. Mr. Justice Jayapal felt that in the wake of the growing population and increasing number of litigations, there was need for more courts. Hence, an integrated court complex might need at least 10 acres, he said.
He wished that the Collector would identity the required land within a month.
Legal Aid Committee member Judge T. Madhavan said that the Legal Aid Cells were formed to enable the poor and the downtrodden get justice.
Mr. Dhanraj said that from the MPLAD funds, he had taken up 350 works. The most important works were construction of protective walls in vulnerable coastal areas and installation of lightning arrestors, because on an average, 25 persons were killed in lightning in the district.
Tindivanam MP K. Dhanraj had allotted funds from the MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) Funds.
Mr. Justice Jayapal said that till December 31, 2008 a total of 39,019 Lok Adalats were held in the State. Through these sessions, 3,88,917 cases were adjudicated and compensation of over Rs. 1,631 crore given. As many as 34,019 legal awareness camps were held in villages and 8,02,930 applications received.
As of now, there were 26 Legal Aid Cells in Tamil Nadu. Mr. Justice Jayapal said that for want of judges, over three crore cases were pending disposal across the country.
He stressed the need for conducting more legal awareness camps.
Lok Adalats had enabled the economically weaker sections to get justice at their doorstep.
Villupuram Collector R. Palanisamy had allotted a three-acre land for setting up an integrated court complex in Tindivanam. Mr. Justice Jayapal felt that in the wake of the growing population and increasing number of litigations, there was need for more courts. Hence, an integrated court complex might need at least 10 acres, he said.
He wished that the Collector would identity the required land within a month.
Legal Aid Committee member Judge T. Madhavan said that the Legal Aid Cells were formed to enable the poor and the downtrodden get justice.
Mr. Dhanraj said that from the MPLAD funds, he had taken up 350 works. The most important works were construction of protective walls in vulnerable coastal areas and installation of lightning arrestors, because on an average, 25 persons were killed in lightning in the district.
Congress, DMK join hands on Sri Lankan Tamils issue
CHENNAI: The Sri Lankan Tamils Welfare and Liberty Peravai, an umbrella organisation formed by the DMK, on Saturday launched a campaign with the active participation of the Congress, demanding a political solution to the crisis in Sri Lanka.
Members of the Peravai took out a rally, which started from Royapuram and culminated in a public meeting near the Mint Clocktower. It was flagged off by Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan and Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation G.K. Vasan. Union Minister T.R. Baalu, TNCC president, K.V. Thangkabalu and Fisheries Minister K.P.P. Samy came in an open jeep.
Addressing the meeting, Mr. Anbazhagan said as of now there was no better option than pressing the Centre to intervene and stop the war and find a political solution to the problems of Sri Lankan Tamils. “Sri Lanka cannot ignore the voice of India, a big neighbour, if the Centre makes consistent efforts,” he said and explained that Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi was fully aware of the implications, which was why he was avoiding a confrontation .
The DMK was not interested in weakening the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre because there was no guarantee that the new regime would listen to the views of Mr. Karunanidhi and protect the interests of the Tamils. “We don’t want to lose the government in Tamil Nadu and we are equally firm that the Congress government guided by Sonia Gandhi should continue at the Centre,” he said.
Mr.Thangkabalu said that the Congress and the DMK were working together to find a durable political solution to the Sri Lankan Tamils problem. MGR Kazhagam leader R.M. Veerappan said former Chief Minister M.G.Ramachandran wanted to work with the DMK leaders to find a solution to the Sri Lankan issue, and had asked the then Speaker K.Rajaram to speak to Mr.Karunanidhi to give up plan to resign from Assembly.
Dravidar Kazhagam leader K.Veeramani; Tamil Maanila Indian Union Muslim League leader K.M. Khader Mohideen; Jananayaka Munnetra Kazhagam leader Jagatrakshakan; and Gingee Ramachandran, MP, participated.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Compost park coming up at Kottakuppam
VILLUPURAM: A compost park is being set up at Kottakuppam town panchayat near here with a financial assistance of Rs. 36.30 lakh from the Asian Development Bank under the Tsunami Emergency Assistant Project (TEAP).
The park will have a vermicompost yard, a biofertilizer unit and a plastic recycling unit. A two-member ADB team of Girish Mahajan, Environment Officer, and Ramesh Swarankar, Social Development Officer, visited the one-acre site recently.
It appreciated the efforts made by K. Gopal, Commissioner of Town Panchayats, and R. Palanisamy, Villupuram Collector, in setting up the park.
The park will be able to produce 15 tonnes of biofertilizer a month from dung. The plastic recycling unit being set up at the cost of Rs. 4 lakh was nearing completion, according to P. Velusami, Specialist (Livelihood), Commissionerate of Town Panchayats.
In a statement released here, Mr. Velusami said that a total number of 51 self-help groups would be involved in running the park.
Once on stream, the park would enable the SHG members to earn an additional income of Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000 a month.
The solid waste management SHG federation had already purchased modern machinery for the plastic recycling unit at the cost of Rs 2.70 lakh, with 50 per cent subsidy from the TEAP and 50 per cent loan from the Kottakuppam branch of Indian Bank.
The project site would also have landfill site facilities to dispose of toxic medical waste and other hazardous waste. P. Thiruvengadam, Assistant Director of Town Panchayat, Cuddalore zone, Kandasamy, Special Deputy Collector, tsunami project, Villupuram district, Bhanumathy Jayamoorthy, chairperson, and Sabeera, vice-chairperson of Kottakuppam Town Panchayat, accompanied the ADB team.
The park will have a vermicompost yard, a biofertilizer unit and a plastic recycling unit. A two-member ADB team of Girish Mahajan, Environment Officer, and Ramesh Swarankar, Social Development Officer, visited the one-acre site recently.
It appreciated the efforts made by K. Gopal, Commissioner of Town Panchayats, and R. Palanisamy, Villupuram Collector, in setting up the park.
The park will be able to produce 15 tonnes of biofertilizer a month from dung. The plastic recycling unit being set up at the cost of Rs. 4 lakh was nearing completion, according to P. Velusami, Specialist (Livelihood), Commissionerate of Town Panchayats.
In a statement released here, Mr. Velusami said that a total number of 51 self-help groups would be involved in running the park.
Once on stream, the park would enable the SHG members to earn an additional income of Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000 a month.
The solid waste management SHG federation had already purchased modern machinery for the plastic recycling unit at the cost of Rs 2.70 lakh, with 50 per cent subsidy from the TEAP and 50 per cent loan from the Kottakuppam branch of Indian Bank.
The project site would also have landfill site facilities to dispose of toxic medical waste and other hazardous waste. P. Thiruvengadam, Assistant Director of Town Panchayat, Cuddalore zone, Kandasamy, Special Deputy Collector, tsunami project, Villupuram district, Bhanumathy Jayamoorthy, chairperson, and Sabeera, vice-chairperson of Kottakuppam Town Panchayat, accompanied the ADB team.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Normal life unaffected, says Chief Secretary
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary K S Sripathi on Wednesday said normal life was not affected throughout the State due to the general strike called by some political parties.
Answering queries of mediapersons at the Secretariat, the Chief Secretary said as far as the government offices were concerned, more than 99 per cent of the employees attended duty. All modes of transport - bus, train and flights - remained unaffected.
Closure of shops was reported from the Coimbatore, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Kanchipuram disticts. In Chennai, 80 per cent of the shops were open. At 12 noon, around 500 persons, including a CPI MLA, were taken into custody in various parts of the State for different reasons including staging road roko.
The strike call was given by the Sri Lankan Tamils Protection Movement.
Violence mars Pondy bandh
PUDUCHERRY: Puducherry was paralysed by the 12-hour general strike, with several reports of violent incidents, including the snatching of gun from a constable by a gang, attacks on an arrack shop and the house VCK organising secretary, and damages to around 10 buses.
Though the ruling Congress and its prime ally, the DMK, opposition parties including the AIADMK and PMC did not support the strike, the bandh was near total. A toddy shop run by close relatives of AIADMK secretary and MLA A Anbazhagan at Marapalam, which was kept open, was attacked by a 21-member gang on seven bikes. The gang, led by VCK cadre Saravanan, questioned the owner for keeping the shop open and damaged the toddy bottles and ransacked the shop. When Emile Raj, a police constable on duty there, tried to intervene, the gang snatched his gun and fled. After searching for three hours, it was found abandoned on the 100 feet road near the railway crossing. Two persons have been taken into custody in connection with the incident.
The gang also pelted stones at the house and car of another close relative of Anbazhagan in Mudaliarpet and a hotel in Kamaraj Salai. AIADMK cadre held demonstrations in front of the Mudaliarpet police station demanding action against the miscreants. In retaliation, stones were pelted on the house owned by Puducherry VCK organising secretary Pavanan at Mudaliarpet, damaging window panes and his car.
Police have registered cases in connection with the incidents, based on complaints by both AIADMK and VCK men. Buses were also not spared from the stone pelting, with the windscreens of at least 10 buses including one private bus and interstate government buses of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry were damaged at Ariyankuppam, Thavalakuppam, Nellithope, and in the vicinity of Singaravellar statue and Indira Gandhi statue, as well as other places.
Police arrested eight Tamilar Dravidar Kazhagam activists when they attempted to set ablaze the effigy of Sri Lankan President Rajapakse near the Indira Gandhi statue. Private schools declared a holiday on Wednesday, though government and government-aided schools functioned with little attendance.
BANDH NEAR TOTAL: The bandh called by CPI, PMK, MDMK, VCK, All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi and Tamil Desiya Katchi on Wednesday evoked good response in Cuddalore and Villupuram districts. Most shops, restaurants, stationery outlets, department stores, tea shops, hardware stores and a large number of schools and colleges remained closed.
General strike has little impact on normal life in Tamil Nadu
CHENNAI: The general strike called by the Sri Lankan Tamils Protection Movement (STPM) demanding ceasefire in Sri Lanka evoked partial response in Tamil Nadu and Puduchery. While public and private transport vehicles plied as usual, shops and eateries were shut in some areas.
Chief Secretary K.S.Sripathi told The Hindu that normal life was not affected because of the strike. Over 170 persons who tried to picket and block roads or create trouble were arrested across the State and remanded to custody. “Some shopkeepers downed their shutters on their own accord. But most of them remained open,” he said, adding that even this was confined to about “three or four districts.”
Asked what the percentage of such business establishments remained closed in these districts, he said it was insignificant. “Perhaps about 20 per cent in some pockets of these districts,” he added.
Director-General of Police K.P.Jain said the general strike was incident-free.
Government offices, banks, bus and train services and schools functioned as usual. But in a few districts stray incidents of stone pelting, closure of commercial establishments, hotels and shops and arrest of leaders and cadres of political parties were reported. Most shops and private schools remained closed in Puduchery. In Chennai, normal life was not affected, but many shops and hotels downed shutters, Twenty three advocates who indulged in violence near the Madras High Court premises were arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
According to police sources, the advocates had damaged a police vehicle and blocked traffic. Besides ransacking a cycle shop, they attacked an employee there. The advocates were also accused of misbehaving with women police personnel. Five members of the All India Students Federation who burnt an effigy of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa were also arrested.
Visible impact
The impact of the strike was felt in the northern districts, especially in Villupuram, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, where the PMK and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) have a strong presence. Business activities in Kancheepuram district came to a halt, as shops and hotels in Kancheepuram, Mamallapuram, Chengalpattu, Madurantakam and Kalpakkam remained closed.
Buses were damaged in Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Vellore, Karur, Erode and Dindigul districts. Vellore Congress MLA C. Gnanasekaran’s office was attacked and Deva Inamudalvan of the VCK was arrested and remanded to judicial custody in connection with the incident.
Tiruthuraipoondi MLA Ulaganathan was among the 50 persons arrested for resorting to a rail rook and 99 persons who forced shopkeepers to close down and indulged in incidents of stone throwing on buses in different parts of the State were held and remanded to judicial custody.
PMK leader S.Ramadoss said all sections including traders, workers, students, advocates, small industrialists and private bus operators extended their support to the strike. “We compelled no one to participate in the strike. But the government forced transport workers to operate the buses,” he said and urged the government to release the PMK men who were arrested. MDMK general secretary Vaiko said the people of Tamil Nadu made the general strike a success despite the intimidation of the ruling party. CPI state secretary D. Pandian echoed similar views.
“The letter sent by the Chief Secretary to political parties threatening them against participating in the strike is aggressive behaviour,” Mr Vaiko said. BJP MP Su Thirunavukkarasar thanked the people for supporting the strike.
Chief Secretary K.S.Sripathi told The Hindu that normal life was not affected because of the strike. Over 170 persons who tried to picket and block roads or create trouble were arrested across the State and remanded to custody. “Some shopkeepers downed their shutters on their own accord. But most of them remained open,” he said, adding that even this was confined to about “three or four districts.”
Asked what the percentage of such business establishments remained closed in these districts, he said it was insignificant. “Perhaps about 20 per cent in some pockets of these districts,” he added.
Director-General of Police K.P.Jain said the general strike was incident-free.
Government offices, banks, bus and train services and schools functioned as usual. But in a few districts stray incidents of stone pelting, closure of commercial establishments, hotels and shops and arrest of leaders and cadres of political parties were reported. Most shops and private schools remained closed in Puduchery. In Chennai, normal life was not affected, but many shops and hotels downed shutters, Twenty three advocates who indulged in violence near the Madras High Court premises were arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
According to police sources, the advocates had damaged a police vehicle and blocked traffic. Besides ransacking a cycle shop, they attacked an employee there. The advocates were also accused of misbehaving with women police personnel. Five members of the All India Students Federation who burnt an effigy of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa were also arrested.
Visible impact
The impact of the strike was felt in the northern districts, especially in Villupuram, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, where the PMK and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) have a strong presence. Business activities in Kancheepuram district came to a halt, as shops and hotels in Kancheepuram, Mamallapuram, Chengalpattu, Madurantakam and Kalpakkam remained closed.
Buses were damaged in Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Vellore, Karur, Erode and Dindigul districts. Vellore Congress MLA C. Gnanasekaran’s office was attacked and Deva Inamudalvan of the VCK was arrested and remanded to judicial custody in connection with the incident.
Tiruthuraipoondi MLA Ulaganathan was among the 50 persons arrested for resorting to a rail rook and 99 persons who forced shopkeepers to close down and indulged in incidents of stone throwing on buses in different parts of the State were held and remanded to judicial custody.
PMK leader S.Ramadoss said all sections including traders, workers, students, advocates, small industrialists and private bus operators extended their support to the strike. “We compelled no one to participate in the strike. But the government forced transport workers to operate the buses,” he said and urged the government to release the PMK men who were arrested. MDMK general secretary Vaiko said the people of Tamil Nadu made the general strike a success despite the intimidation of the ruling party. CPI state secretary D. Pandian echoed similar views.
“The letter sent by the Chief Secretary to political parties threatening them against participating in the strike is aggressive behaviour,” Mr Vaiko said. BJP MP Su Thirunavukkarasar thanked the people for supporting the strike.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Adopt consortium approach to bag orders
VILLUPURAM: T. Rajendran, Chairman and Managing Director of the Small Industries Development Corporation, has called upon prospective entrepreneurs to adopt the consortium approach to bag orders from companies like Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.
Addressing a meeting of entrepreneurs from Chennai, Thiruvallur, Cuddalore and Villupuram here, he invited them to set up shop at the SIDCO industrial estate coming up on 100 acres at Aasanur in Ulundurpet taluk. It was one of the 22 industrial estates to be set up under the new industrial policy. The entrepreneurs would get land at subsidised price, high-tension electricity connection, 20 per cent concession in power tariff, no levy of value added tax for six years and a 50 per cent rebate on registration charges.
He said the SIDCO was left with Rs. 50 crore in unutilized funds which the new entrepreneurs could easily tap.
Addressing a meeting of entrepreneurs from Chennai, Thiruvallur, Cuddalore and Villupuram here, he invited them to set up shop at the SIDCO industrial estate coming up on 100 acres at Aasanur in Ulundurpet taluk. It was one of the 22 industrial estates to be set up under the new industrial policy. The entrepreneurs would get land at subsidised price, high-tension electricity connection, 20 per cent concession in power tariff, no levy of value added tax for six years and a 50 per cent rebate on registration charges.
He said the SIDCO was left with Rs. 50 crore in unutilized funds which the new entrepreneurs could easily tap.
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