CHENNAI: The newly converted Villupuram - Mayiladuthurai section was opened for passenger traffic on Friday. The first train on the section, the Villupuram - Mayiladuthurai passenger, left Villupuram at 6.20 p.m. Train services in the section will be introduced in phases: Chennai Egmore-Nagore Daily Express (via. Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur) from April 24 and from April 25 in the return direction; Madurai - Chennai Egmore Biweekly Express (Thursdays and Saturdays) from April 24 and in the return direction (Fridays and Sundays) from April 25; and Chennai Egmore – Tiruchi Day Express (Daily) on April 26 from both directions.
The Varanasi - Rameswaram Weekly Express now running up to Chennai Egmore will be extended to Rameswaram via Mayiladuthurai from May 2. In the return direction it will start leaving Rameswaram from May 5 towards Varanasi. The Chennai Egmore - Rameswaram Daily Express, now running via Vriddhachalam, Tiruchi, will run via Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam, Tiruchi from August 1 from both ends. The Tiruchendur - Chennai Egmore Weekly Express, now running via Tiruchi, Vriddhachalam, will run via Tiruchi, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai from July 29 and in the return direction it will run via Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam, Tiruchi from July 30, according to a Southern Railway press release said.
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Saturday, April 24, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Better teacher-student rapport in colleges stressed
VILLUPURAM: College teachers should not go about their task mechanically but act with circumspection to tap the potential of students so as to mould them into all-round personalities, according to Mamota Das, resource person and Principal of Achariya College of Education, Puducherry.
She was speaking at a two-day workshop on ‘Testing and evaluation' held at Theivanai Ammal College for Women, Villupuram, designated as regional field unit (RFU) of the National Testing Service-India (A Central scheme of the Ministry of Human Resource Development).
Ms. Das said the National Testing Service-India had been periodically organising orientation programmes for college teachers through the RFU to set teaching, testing and evaluation practices on the right mode.
Only through developing the analytical acumen, students could go beyond the confines of the subjects and begin to reflect, review and apply the concepts in real-life situations.
Ms. Das said it did not mean that the syllabus ought to be overhauled but the full import of the contents ought to be brought out, with extra-curricular and extramural activities thrown in.
In this context, she said the examination paper setting should not blindly follow the syllabus and if done so it would encourage only recall and reproduction and not comprehension and critical thinking. These skills could be imparted among students through establishing better rapport and through giving them assignments and conducting series of seminars and quiz programmes.
She dismissed the theory that additional components would overburden the students; instead, these would facilitate better appreciation of the subjects. The education system could not be bereft of social and moral values. It should take proper cognisance of the value system and provide for it in the curriculum, Ms. Das added.
Principal Kasthuri Bai Dhanasekaran said the present evaluation system was intended to test the cognitive domain and knowledge acquisition, rather than whetting analytical thinking.
The Indian Institutes of Management were focusing on developing the psycho-motor abilities of the students as required by the industry.
She was speaking at a two-day workshop on ‘Testing and evaluation' held at Theivanai Ammal College for Women, Villupuram, designated as regional field unit (RFU) of the National Testing Service-India (A Central scheme of the Ministry of Human Resource Development).
Ms. Das said the National Testing Service-India had been periodically organising orientation programmes for college teachers through the RFU to set teaching, testing and evaluation practices on the right mode.
Only through developing the analytical acumen, students could go beyond the confines of the subjects and begin to reflect, review and apply the concepts in real-life situations.
Ms. Das said it did not mean that the syllabus ought to be overhauled but the full import of the contents ought to be brought out, with extra-curricular and extramural activities thrown in.
In this context, she said the examination paper setting should not blindly follow the syllabus and if done so it would encourage only recall and reproduction and not comprehension and critical thinking. These skills could be imparted among students through establishing better rapport and through giving them assignments and conducting series of seminars and quiz programmes.
She dismissed the theory that additional components would overburden the students; instead, these would facilitate better appreciation of the subjects. The education system could not be bereft of social and moral values. It should take proper cognisance of the value system and provide for it in the curriculum, Ms. Das added.
Principal Kasthuri Bai Dhanasekaran said the present evaluation system was intended to test the cognitive domain and knowledge acquisition, rather than whetting analytical thinking.
The Indian Institutes of Management were focusing on developing the psycho-motor abilities of the students as required by the industry.
Power shutdown schedule in Villupuram announced
VILLUPURAM: Superintendent of Engineer (Tamil Nadu Electricity Board) M. Nauzad has said that power supply would be suspended from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. as per the following schedule for carrying out monthly maintenance in sub-stations:
March 18 – Vanur and Thiruchitrambalam; March 19 – Peddhasamudhram; March 21 – Murukkeri; March 22 – Kanjanur; March 23 – Tindivanam; March 24 – Arasur; March 25 – Vikkiravandi; March 26 – Thirukkoilur; March 27 – Pillaiyarkuppam; March 28 – Karanaiperuchur; March 29 – Villiyanur; March 30 – Thiagadurgam, and, March 31 – Sendur. However, he added that if any unforeseen circumstance arises, the schedule could be altered
March 18 – Vanur and Thiruchitrambalam; March 19 – Peddhasamudhram; March 21 – Murukkeri; March 22 – Kanjanur; March 23 – Tindivanam; March 24 – Arasur; March 25 – Vikkiravandi; March 26 – Thirukkoilur; March 27 – Pillaiyarkuppam; March 28 – Karanaiperuchur; March 29 – Villiyanur; March 30 – Thiagadurgam, and, March 31 – Sendur. However, he added that if any unforeseen circumstance arises, the schedule could be altered
Sugarcane procurement price to go up to Rs.2,000
CHENNAI: The State government has decided to increase the procurement price of sugarcane to Rs.2,000 a tonne from crushing season 2010-11. The price includes transportation charges and recovery-based incentive.
For the current season, the government decided to pay Rs.100 more per tonne. Accordingly, cane farmers will be paid Rs.1,650 instead of Rs.1,550 per tonne.
Announcing this in his budget speech, Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan said the government had been consistently increasing the procurement price from 2006-07. The price was Rs.1,025 per tonne in 2006-07, Rs.1,034 in 2007-08, Rs.1,100 in 2008-09 and Rs.1,550 in the current season, which has been increased by Rs.100 per tonne.
Accepting a longstanding demand of paddy farmers to increase procurement price of paddy to Rs.1,000 a quintal, the government had enhanced the price for common variety to Rs.1,050 and fine variety to Rs.1,100 by giving additional incentive over and above the price fixed by the Centre. In the current budget, Rs.200 crore had been allocated for providing incentive to paddy farmers.
In the coming financial year, the government had fixed a target of Rs.2,500 crore for crop loan as against Rs.2,013 crore disbursed during the current financial year. It had also provided Rs.140 crore for waiving the entire interest on cooperative crop loans to farmers who were prompt in repaying their loans. For providing free power to farmers, Rs.295 crore had been provided as subsidy to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board.
Food subsidy
Allocation for food subsidy would be reduced in the coming financial year in view of the declining prices of pulses and sugar.
The Minister said the allocation for the next financial year would be Rs.3,750 crore as against Rs.4,000 crore in the current financial year for supplying rice, sugar, kerosene and dhal at subsidised rates.
New flood protection works to the tune of Rs.609 crore would be taken up, including the Coleroon Flood Protection project, benefiting Thanjavur, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts, Vellar project in Cuddalore and Villupuram districts and Pennaiyar project in Cuddalore district.
As construction of check dams across rivers and rivulets had augmented groundwater resources in various parts of the State, the State had allotted Rs.100 crore for building more check dams.
Construction of a dam across the Kanjampatti Odai in Kadaladi taluk in Ramanathapuram district and forming a 20-km-long feeder channel for 43 tanks would be taken up under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme at a cost Rs.18 crore, benefiting 4,200 acres.
The Contour Canal, which carries water from the Parambikulam dam to Thirumurthi dam, would be renovated at a cost of Rs.127.5 crore. The canal, constructed 45 years ago, was providing irrigation to 3,77,000 acres in Tirupur and Coimbatore districts. Over the years, its carrying capacity had come down owing to breaches. The move would benefit two lakh farmers.
For the current season, the government decided to pay Rs.100 more per tonne. Accordingly, cane farmers will be paid Rs.1,650 instead of Rs.1,550 per tonne.
Announcing this in his budget speech, Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan said the government had been consistently increasing the procurement price from 2006-07. The price was Rs.1,025 per tonne in 2006-07, Rs.1,034 in 2007-08, Rs.1,100 in 2008-09 and Rs.1,550 in the current season, which has been increased by Rs.100 per tonne.
Accepting a longstanding demand of paddy farmers to increase procurement price of paddy to Rs.1,000 a quintal, the government had enhanced the price for common variety to Rs.1,050 and fine variety to Rs.1,100 by giving additional incentive over and above the price fixed by the Centre. In the current budget, Rs.200 crore had been allocated for providing incentive to paddy farmers.
In the coming financial year, the government had fixed a target of Rs.2,500 crore for crop loan as against Rs.2,013 crore disbursed during the current financial year. It had also provided Rs.140 crore for waiving the entire interest on cooperative crop loans to farmers who were prompt in repaying their loans. For providing free power to farmers, Rs.295 crore had been provided as subsidy to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board.
Food subsidy
Allocation for food subsidy would be reduced in the coming financial year in view of the declining prices of pulses and sugar.
The Minister said the allocation for the next financial year would be Rs.3,750 crore as against Rs.4,000 crore in the current financial year for supplying rice, sugar, kerosene and dhal at subsidised rates.
New flood protection works to the tune of Rs.609 crore would be taken up, including the Coleroon Flood Protection project, benefiting Thanjavur, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts, Vellar project in Cuddalore and Villupuram districts and Pennaiyar project in Cuddalore district.
As construction of check dams across rivers and rivulets had augmented groundwater resources in various parts of the State, the State had allotted Rs.100 crore for building more check dams.
Construction of a dam across the Kanjampatti Odai in Kadaladi taluk in Ramanathapuram district and forming a 20-km-long feeder channel for 43 tanks would be taken up under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme at a cost Rs.18 crore, benefiting 4,200 acres.
The Contour Canal, which carries water from the Parambikulam dam to Thirumurthi dam, would be renovated at a cost of Rs.127.5 crore. The canal, constructed 45 years ago, was providing irrigation to 3,77,000 acres in Tirupur and Coimbatore districts. Over the years, its carrying capacity had come down owing to breaches. The move would benefit two lakh farmers.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Tamil Nadu eyes 700 more medical seats in govt-run colleges Read more: Tamil Nadu eyes 700 more medical seats in govt-run colleges - The Times of I
CHENNAI: Here is good news for medical aspirants. Tamil Nadu is working on increasing MBBS seats by a whopping 700 in the government colleges. The state has already got sanction for 270 more post-graduate medical seats.
The directorate of medical education is expecting sanction from the Medical Council of India to admit 100 students each in two new colleges in Tiruvarur and Villupuram the coming academic year. Also in the pipeline is a detailed proposal demanding increase in the number of seats in the existing colleges.
"We have 15 government medical colleges and we want to increase the medical seats in these colleges. For instance, in the Madras and Madurai Medical colleges we want to increase the seats from 165 to 265. In Chengalpet Medical College, we want to increase seats from 50 to 150. In other colleges we're looking at hiking seats from 100 to 150. This is based on parameters including bed strength, patient-doctor ratio and specialties," says director of medical education Dr S Vinayagam.
The directorate until last year offered 1,483 of the 1,745 medical seats in 15 medical colleges to students residing in Tamil Nadu during the single window counselling, leaving the remaining 15% to the all India quota. If the MCI approves two new medical colleges, the seats will go up to 1,653 in June. The selection committee, which is responsible for admitting students, hopes to add another 500 seats during the second phase of counselling.
In the self-financing colleges category, the number of colleges is expected to go up by at least one, which will increase the number of seats by another 85 from the existing 285.
What seems to have impressed doctors and academicians is that there has been an increase in the post-graduate medical seats. Of the 270 post-graduate (degree, diploma and super specialty) seats, the state selection committee will display 135 seats leaving 50% to the all India quota. In February, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the health ministry's proposal to add more post-graduate seats in 148 state run medical colleges. Tamil Nadu sent its proposal and was sanctioned 270 seats. "Till now, we have had only 998 post-graduate seats. We have increased seats in fields like general surgery, general medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery and neonatology," said health secretary VK Subburaj.
Read more: Tamil Nadu eyes 700 more medical seats in govt-run colleges - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tamil-Nadu-eyes-700-more-medical-seats-in-govt-run-colleges/articleshow/5692148.cms#ixzz0ztbjKzco
The directorate of medical education is expecting sanction from the Medical Council of India to admit 100 students each in two new colleges in Tiruvarur and Villupuram the coming academic year. Also in the pipeline is a detailed proposal demanding increase in the number of seats in the existing colleges.
"We have 15 government medical colleges and we want to increase the medical seats in these colleges. For instance, in the Madras and Madurai Medical colleges we want to increase the seats from 165 to 265. In Chengalpet Medical College, we want to increase seats from 50 to 150. In other colleges we're looking at hiking seats from 100 to 150. This is based on parameters including bed strength, patient-doctor ratio and specialties," says director of medical education Dr S Vinayagam.
The directorate until last year offered 1,483 of the 1,745 medical seats in 15 medical colleges to students residing in Tamil Nadu during the single window counselling, leaving the remaining 15% to the all India quota. If the MCI approves two new medical colleges, the seats will go up to 1,653 in June. The selection committee, which is responsible for admitting students, hopes to add another 500 seats during the second phase of counselling.
In the self-financing colleges category, the number of colleges is expected to go up by at least one, which will increase the number of seats by another 85 from the existing 285.
What seems to have impressed doctors and academicians is that there has been an increase in the post-graduate medical seats. Of the 270 post-graduate (degree, diploma and super specialty) seats, the state selection committee will display 135 seats leaving 50% to the all India quota. In February, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the health ministry's proposal to add more post-graduate seats in 148 state run medical colleges. Tamil Nadu sent its proposal and was sanctioned 270 seats. "Till now, we have had only 998 post-graduate seats. We have increased seats in fields like general surgery, general medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery and neonatology," said health secretary VK Subburaj.
Read more: Tamil Nadu eyes 700 more medical seats in govt-run colleges - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tamil-Nadu-eyes-700-more-medical-seats-in-govt-run-colleges/articleshow/5692148.cms#ixzz0ztbjKzco
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Tamilnadu Secretariat New Building, Tamilnadu Assembly New Building
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the New Tamil Nadu assembly complex in the presence of the state Chief minister Mr. M. Karunanidhi at a function in Chennai today evening.
Tamilnadu State Governor Surjit Singh Barnala, Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and other Sstates Chief Ministers, Central ministers and leaders of various political parties will attend the function. Over 5000 policemen have been deployed to take care of the security. Traffic on the Arterial Anna Salai will be regulated.
The inauguration of the Assembly-Secretariat complex on the Omandurar Government Estate in the heart of the State capital of Chennai marks another milestone in the history of the elected legislature of Tamil Nadu. It's a state-of-the-art green architecture in the heart of Chennai, New Secretariat Building built at a cost of Rs 450 crore, it is the first State Assembly building in the world to be designed and constructed as a green building. The assembly portion alone is ready now. It may take a few more months for the whole project to be completed.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Polio immunisation drive
PUDUCHERRY: The Health Department immunised a total of 92,472 children aged below five years across the four regions of the Union Territory during the second phase of the intensified pulse polio immunisation campaign on Sunday.
An official of the department said the first day of the drive achieved 99 per cent coverage through booth activities.
A total of 72,263 children were immunised in Puducherry, 15,045 in Karaikal, 1,603 in Mahe and 3,561 in Yanam, he said. This will be followed by be door-to-door survey on Monday and Tuesday, he added.
10,000 volunteers deployed
In Villupuram, District Collector R.Palanisamy inaugurated the second and final phase of polio vaccination on the municipality premises on Sunday.
Municipal Chairman Janakaraj and other officials were present on the occasion.
The Collector said that the first phase of vaccination was successfully conducted on January 10.
In the current phase over 10,000 volunteers had spread over 2,375 centres to administer the polio drops to at total of 3.50 lakh children up to five years of age. Not to leave out those in transit mobile centres too had been deployed. Volunteers had been deputed to the newly sprung housing colonies and the narikoravas tenements to give administer the drops.
At Cuddalore District Revenue Officer S.Natarajan inaugurated the vaccination programme at the Manjakuppam government high school. Under the programme about three lakh children would be covered by over 6,000 volunteers in the district on Sunday.
An official of the department said the first day of the drive achieved 99 per cent coverage through booth activities.
A total of 72,263 children were immunised in Puducherry, 15,045 in Karaikal, 1,603 in Mahe and 3,561 in Yanam, he said. This will be followed by be door-to-door survey on Monday and Tuesday, he added.
10,000 volunteers deployed
In Villupuram, District Collector R.Palanisamy inaugurated the second and final phase of polio vaccination on the municipality premises on Sunday.
Municipal Chairman Janakaraj and other officials were present on the occasion.
The Collector said that the first phase of vaccination was successfully conducted on January 10.
In the current phase over 10,000 volunteers had spread over 2,375 centres to administer the polio drops to at total of 3.50 lakh children up to five years of age. Not to leave out those in transit mobile centres too had been deployed. Volunteers had been deputed to the newly sprung housing colonies and the narikoravas tenements to give administer the drops.
At Cuddalore District Revenue Officer S.Natarajan inaugurated the vaccination programme at the Manjakuppam government high school. Under the programme about three lakh children would be covered by over 6,000 volunteers in the district on Sunday.
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Karunanidhi inaugurates DMK office in Villupuram
VILLUPURAM: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi inaugurated a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagm party office “Kalaignar Arivalayam” here on Sunday.
Speaking on the occasion, he said the construction of party office buildings was one of the many dreams of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, and his government was making these dreams one after another a reality.
In a September 2003 conference, the party passed a resolution to construct the Arivalayam and, with the efforts of Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy and party cadre, it had now come up well.
Reminiscence
Mr. Karunanidhi reminisced the days when he lived, acted and made friends with several people in Villupuram in 1945. Ever since, the DMK was flourishing well here.
He told the party cadre that the Arivalayam need not always be named after him. He opined that Arivayalams could be set up all over the country in the names of those who shed blood, dared their lives for a public cause and those who had served the interests of the people.
The Dravidian movement always recognised the contributions of national leaders, even if they belonged to other political spectrums. After Independence, the State was ruled by Omandurar, Kamaraj and Bakthvatchalam.
But the then rulers did not construct any memorials for the illustrious leaders who had fought for freedom. Maybe, the then leaders had become fatigued by the freedom struggle, he said.
When DMK came to power in 1967, Annadurai announced the change of name for Madras State by reciting thrice the term “Tamil Nadu” in the Assembly and others raised the chorus “Long Live Tamil Nadu” thrice.
After Annadurai's death, when Mr. Karunanidhi came to power, he found that the wooden oil extractor to which V.O. Chidambaram was yoked during the British period was kept at the Coimbatore Central Prison and arranged for its the public view.
Criticism
However, Mr. Karuananidhi said that good work by his government was criticised by certain people. The critics did not spare even the new Secretariat being built at a cost of about Rs.500 crore, to be inaugurated on March 13 in the presence of United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, as they raised doubts over its stability.
The DMK would not be deterred by brickbats but would continue to do good for the people and grow in stature. Its growth was tremendous not only in towns but also villages.
After visiting rural areas, Law Minister Durai Murugan said partymen need not canvass for votes as the people on their own were coming to vote. But Mr. Karunanidhi warned that it did not mean that the cadre could take it easy and remain complacent.
He pointed out that wherever Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin went he attracted a huge crowd and such large gatherings could be seen only in his (Mr. Karunanidhi's) meetings. The Chief Minister further said that he was overawed by the arrangements in Villupuram and the banners put up to highlight the achievements of the government would be useful for the next generation.
On the occasion, Mr. Karunanidhi solemnised the marriage of former MLA Mookkappan's daughter and also opened the Indian Bank biometric Automated Teller Machine on the Arivalayam premises. Mr. Stalin, Durai Murugan and party leaders participated.
Chief Minister to inaugurate new medical college hospital
VILLUPURAM: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, along with Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, will inaugurate three educational institutions in the district on March 7.
These include the government medical college at Mundiampakkam, a government arts college at Thiruvennainallur and a government polytechnic at Thirukkoilur, according to Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy.
He was speaking at the inauguration of ‘Student Improvement Programme’ held at Arignar Anna Government Arts College here on Sunday.
Last year, two government engineering colleges affiliated to Anna University-Chennai were opened at Villupuram and Tindivanam. For improving the soft skills of the students and to enhance their employability, language laboratories, particularly to improve proficiency in English language, had been set up in colleges.
The Minister underscored the point that his government was neither against English nor against Hindi. He said learning should be in Tamil medium with English as the link language. The Minister was appreciative of the Villupuram district showing impressive results in S.S.L.C and Plus-Two public examinations last year.
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Southern Railway hopeful of getting additional funds
CHENNAI: Funds will not be a constraint for ongoing railway projects in the State and Southern Railway will get additional funds as and when required. In the current financial year also initial allotment for various gauge conversion projects was only Rs.238 crore. Ultimately, based on the progress of projects, the zone got a total allotment of Rs.512 crore, which was more than double the initial allotment.
According to a senior Southern Railway official, for doubling projects, Rs.73 crore has been allotted in the current budget, which would be utilised for Chengalpattu-Villupuram (103 km) and for additional lines on the Chennai-Attipattu section. As the Villupuram-Dindigul (272 km) doubling is being executed by Rail Vikas Nikas Limited, the project would be executed with its own resources.
The Railway Ministry also sanctioned Rs.255 crore for various new lines in the State, including Salem-Karur, Chinna Salem-Kallakurichi, Erode-Salem, Tindivanam-Nagari, and Attipatu-Puttur. In addition, a new line from Needamangalam to Mannargudi (13 km) has been sanctioned in the current budget. Of these new lines, Salem-Namakkal portion of the Salem-Karur would be completed before the end of the next financial year and would be open to traffic. Satisfactory progress could be made in other new lines also subject to availability of land.
Railway electrification work between Tiruchi and Madurai was in progress and the same is likely to be completed in another two months.
For electrification of Madurai-Tuticorin/ Tirunelveli section, Rs.63.177 crore had been allotted in the current budget.
Contract for overhead electrification had been awarded and physical work would start during the course of the month.
The official said the Ministry had assured the zone that funds would be released whenever required.
According to a senior Southern Railway official, for doubling projects, Rs.73 crore has been allotted in the current budget, which would be utilised for Chengalpattu-Villupuram (103 km) and for additional lines on the Chennai-Attipattu section. As the Villupuram-Dindigul (272 km) doubling is being executed by Rail Vikas Nikas Limited, the project would be executed with its own resources.
The Railway Ministry also sanctioned Rs.255 crore for various new lines in the State, including Salem-Karur, Chinna Salem-Kallakurichi, Erode-Salem, Tindivanam-Nagari, and Attipatu-Puttur. In addition, a new line from Needamangalam to Mannargudi (13 km) has been sanctioned in the current budget. Of these new lines, Salem-Namakkal portion of the Salem-Karur would be completed before the end of the next financial year and would be open to traffic. Satisfactory progress could be made in other new lines also subject to availability of land.
Railway electrification work between Tiruchi and Madurai was in progress and the same is likely to be completed in another two months.
For electrification of Madurai-Tuticorin/ Tirunelveli section, Rs.63.177 crore had been allotted in the current budget.
Contract for overhead electrification had been awarded and physical work would start during the course of the month.
The official said the Ministry had assured the zone that funds would be released whenever required.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Loans proposed for differently abled
VILLUPURAM: It has been proposed to give away loans up to Rs 50,000 to differently abled persons through the Villupuram District Central Cooperative Bank, according to R. Palanisamy, Collector.
In a statement on Thursday, he said that the beneficiaries should have 40 per cent disability and be in the 18-60 age group. The residents of Kallakurichi and Sankarapuram should be present on the Kallakurichi Agirucltural Producers and Marketing Cooperative Society premises on March 9.
Thirukkoilur and Ulundurpet residents should report at the Thirukkoilur Central Cooperative Bank on March 10; Ginjee and Tindivanam residents should go to the Ginjee Central Cooperative Bank on March 11, and Villupuram and Vanur residents should be present at the Village Central Cooperative Bank on March 12.
In a statement on Thursday, he said that the beneficiaries should have 40 per cent disability and be in the 18-60 age group. The residents of Kallakurichi and Sankarapuram should be present on the Kallakurichi Agirucltural Producers and Marketing Cooperative Society premises on March 9.
Thirukkoilur and Ulundurpet residents should report at the Thirukkoilur Central Cooperative Bank on March 10; Ginjee and Tindivanam residents should go to the Ginjee Central Cooperative Bank on March 11, and Villupuram and Vanur residents should be present at the Village Central Cooperative Bank on March 12.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Jayalalithaa demands Rs. 2,500 per tonne of sugarcane
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa, leading a demonstration here to highlight the problems of sugarcane farmers, alleged that sugarcane cultivation in Tamil Nadu was facing an uncertain future owing to the anti-farmer policies of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government.
“In many districts, farmers have burnt down the standing crops because they could not get remunerative prices,” she said. She was participating in a public protest outside Chennai after a gap of more than two years. In 2007, she had led a demonstration at Udhagamandalam demanding the dismissal of the DMK government on the ground that Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had hurt the sentiments of Hindus while commenting on the Ram Sethu.
Ms. Jayalalithaa demanded Rs.2,500 per tonne of sugarcane, besides urging the State government to direct sugar mills to bear the cutting charges. She arrived here in a helicopter. Clad in black, she peppered her speech and slogans with M.G.R. (M.G. Ramachandran) film songs, to drive home the point that the DMK government had let down the farmers. Stating that sugar production in the State had come down from 21.38 lakh tonnes in 2005-06 to 16.16 lakh tonnes in 2008-09, she argued that the lower sugar production would create a vicious cycle. “The State will be forced to import sugar and this in turn will jack up the market price and severely affect the common man.”
Explaining the measures taken during her regime to provide succour to sugarcane farmers, Ms. Jayalalithaa said when the Centre had announced Statutory Minimum Price (SMP) of Rs.795 per tonne of sugarcane, she offered State Advisory Price (SAP) of Rs.210. This enabled the farmers to get Rs.1,014 per tonne of sugarcane.
Similarly, when sugar price was Rs.1,250 per quintal in the open market, her government had offered Rs.1,014 per tonne of sugarcane.
“But now the market price of sugar has increased to Rs.4,000 per quintal but the present government is giving only Rs.1,437.40 per tonne of sugarcane,” she pointed out.
Ms. Jayalalithaa said that during her rule the price of sugar in the open market ranged between Rs.12.50 and Rs.14 per kg.
Ms. Jayalalithaa said that on January 11 she raised the issue in the Assembly urging the government to offer remunerative prices for sugarcane, but it had fallen on deaf ears.
Senior party leaders O. Panneerselvam, C. Ponnaiyan, K.A. Sengottaiyan, C.Ve. Shanmugham and others participated.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
75 new services, 20 volvo services inaugurated
VILLUPURAM: The State Transport Corporation is incurring a loss of Rs. 1.2 for every km.
The aggregate distance covered every day by corporation buses, which stood at 64 lakh km at the time of its inception, has increased to 94 lakh km now, said Transport Minister K.N. Nehru.
He was speaking at a function held at the main bus stand here on Tuesday to inaugurate 75 new services and 20 volvo services.
The corporation had a fleet of 19,000 buses carrying an average of 2.5 crore people every day. Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was sanctioning adequate funds to offset the losses, he said.
Mr. Nehru said that the ticket fare of 0.28 paise for a km charged in ordinary State-run buses was the lowest in the country. The fare in express bus was 0.32 per km; ultra deluxe – 0.52 paise per km, air-conditioned bus – 0.82 paise per km and in Volvo bus – Re. 1 per km.
While ordinary buses were priced at Rs. 12 lakh each, the volvo model cost Rs. 88 lakh each. Mr. Nehru said that in the last three-and-half years, 10,350 new buses were bought. This year alone, 3,000 new buses had been purchased. Of these, 800 had been pressed into service and the remaining would be deployed in phases.
Mr. Nehru observed that on an average 3,550 new vehicles a day or 10 lakh new vehicles a year were registered.
The issuance of smart card driving licences, now in vogue in Cuddalore, Sivaganga and Chennai districts, would be extended to the rest of the State during this year.
The Minister pointed out that Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy, during his tenure as Transport Minister, had started a pension scheme and mobilised a sum of Rs. 800 crore. Since the fund was treated as income, the government might have to pay tax on this. Therefore, a committee would be formed to go into the issue and restructure the pension scheme.
Keeping in view the safety of passengers, the bus crew was prohibited from carrying cell phones. But, some of them had contested the move in the court. The Minister opined that the ban would ensure the safety of the crew too.
Promotion orders were given to 52 employees on the occasion. Mr. Ponmudy said the Villupuram division was always run profitably. Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam sought air-conditioned bus services from Cuddalore.
Regional Managing Director of the corporation C. Paramasivam, General Manager Premkumar, MLAs and officials participated.
The aggregate distance covered every day by corporation buses, which stood at 64 lakh km at the time of its inception, has increased to 94 lakh km now, said Transport Minister K.N. Nehru.
He was speaking at a function held at the main bus stand here on Tuesday to inaugurate 75 new services and 20 volvo services.
The corporation had a fleet of 19,000 buses carrying an average of 2.5 crore people every day. Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was sanctioning adequate funds to offset the losses, he said.
Mr. Nehru said that the ticket fare of 0.28 paise for a km charged in ordinary State-run buses was the lowest in the country. The fare in express bus was 0.32 per km; ultra deluxe – 0.52 paise per km, air-conditioned bus – 0.82 paise per km and in Volvo bus – Re. 1 per km.
While ordinary buses were priced at Rs. 12 lakh each, the volvo model cost Rs. 88 lakh each. Mr. Nehru said that in the last three-and-half years, 10,350 new buses were bought. This year alone, 3,000 new buses had been purchased. Of these, 800 had been pressed into service and the remaining would be deployed in phases.
Mr. Nehru observed that on an average 3,550 new vehicles a day or 10 lakh new vehicles a year were registered.
The issuance of smart card driving licences, now in vogue in Cuddalore, Sivaganga and Chennai districts, would be extended to the rest of the State during this year.
The Minister pointed out that Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy, during his tenure as Transport Minister, had started a pension scheme and mobilised a sum of Rs. 800 crore. Since the fund was treated as income, the government might have to pay tax on this. Therefore, a committee would be formed to go into the issue and restructure the pension scheme.
Keeping in view the safety of passengers, the bus crew was prohibited from carrying cell phones. But, some of them had contested the move in the court. The Minister opined that the ban would ensure the safety of the crew too.
Promotion orders were given to 52 employees on the occasion. Mr. Ponmudy said the Villupuram division was always run profitably. Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam sought air-conditioned bus services from Cuddalore.
Regional Managing Director of the corporation C. Paramasivam, General Manager Premkumar, MLAs and officials participated.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Students and teachers of special schools take out procession
CUDDALORE: The students and teachers of special schools in Cuddalore, Villupuram and Nagapattinam districts took out a rally here on Thursday in support of their demands.
Demands
It was held under the aegis of the Cuddalore branch of the All India Confederation of Organisations for Persons with Mental Disability. According to M.Ravichandran, State president of the organisation, the demands included time-scale pay for the teachers in special schools and speedy distribution of benefits announced by the government for the differently abled persons.
According to the 2001 Census, there were two lakh mentally challenged persons in the State, and 250 special schools run by the service organisations were catering to their needs.
Teachers appointed
Mr. Ravichandran pointed out that till 1992, the government had appointed 32 teachers in special schools, but later, no postings were made. In view of the present and future needs, the government must post at least 750 teachers, 250 women helpers and 250 office assistants in special schools.
Correspondents and non-teaching staff of at least 18 special schools such as Oasis, G.V.Dhaya, Santhi Jain, Vela and John, and hundreds of students and parents took part in the rally that wound its way from the Periyar statue to the Collectorate.
Later, the office-bearers of the organisation handed over a memorandum to District Collector P.Seetharaman. Those participated on the occasion included K.Kumar, district president and Kavi.Thavaraj, secretary.
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