Ola, Uber drivers’ strike affects commuters in Chennai, rides get expensive 

Ram Sundaram | TNN | Updated: Jan 3, 2018, 12:29 IST

CHENNAI: Cab rides got more expensive in Chennai as app-based taxi drivers are on a strike on one-day on Wednesday.

This strike by Ola, Uber and Fasttrack drivers is a part of the nation-wide protest by driver unions against stiff targets, falling incentives and lack of transparency in fares.

Plagued by protesting drivers across the country, various app-based taxi aggregators increased their base fare by approximately 50% to 60 %

In Chennai, for instance, rates were double the normal rates during the peak hours on Wednesday.

Commuters had to wait for more than 30 minutes to get a cab. While Chennai airport was the worst hit because of the strike, impact was predominant also on the Old Mahabalipuram Road, in Koyambedu Bus Stand and Central and Egmore railway stations.

Prepaid taxis and other taxi services were the only option available for commuters at the Chennai airport.

"I had to wait for nearly 20 minutes to get a cab on a share mode. While Rs150-200 is what I generally pay to reach office (Tidel Park) from my residence in Navalur, I had to pay Rs 350 today," said S Dinesh.

Some of the aggregators sent messages to the regular users requesting them to bear with the increase in waiting time because of the low frequency of cabs.

MTC continues to abandon senior citizens residing in suburbs from availing free passes

TNN | Jan 4, 2018, 00:56 IST

Chennai: Chennai Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has continued to abandon senior citizens residing in the city's suburbs from availing the free bus passes.

Only those residing in addresses that had a pincode starting with '600' (for Chennai city) were provided application forms and those from locations with pincodes starting with '602' (for Thiruvallur) or '603' (for Kancheepuram) were denied to avail this facility.

This was one of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa's pet project. Ever since it was launched in 2012, the scheme witnessed various shortcomings.

The facility was made available only for residents of Chennai in the first phase and an official release from the corporation said that it would be expanded to neighbouring suburbs in the following year.

But nothing has materialised till date. "Application forms were not provided to nearly 60 senior citizens in our area by officials at the Avadi bus depot," said a 60-year-old from Thiruninravur, requesting anonymity.

Though the group of senior citizens had filed several complaints with the authorities since December 2015, there was no response.

Even those residing in the metropolitan area faced difficulties in getting their free passes this year as authorities sought additional identity proofs in the last minute without prior intimation.

Unable to produce this, many had to turn home with disappointment this year. MTC authorities responded by stating that the issue would be resolved at the earliest.

Plan to save Chitlapakkam in Chennai from flooding ineffective’

By Samuel Merigala | Express News Service | Published: 02nd January 2018 03:00 AM |



Excess water from Selaiyur lake entering the vacant land that belongs to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department at Selaiyur, before flowing into residential areas of Chitlapakkam in Chennai | Sunish P Surendran

CHENNAI: The Public Works Department has drawn up a `96-crore proposal to construct underground drains from the Selaiyur lake to a vacant three-acre Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department plot to prevent flooding of residential areas. However, residents of Chitlapakkam, who are worst affected by the flooding, are afraid this measure will do very little in stopping their area from flooding.

According to the proposal, drains will be constructed under roads along which the excess water from the Selaiyur lake flows during the monsoon after crossing the Velachery Main Road.However, all water will continue to reach the three-acre plot, which belongs to the HRCE department in Selaiyur, from where it overflows into residential areas in Chitlapakkam before reaching the Sembakkam lake.If the proposal materialises, streets such as Eshwari Nagar Street and Subash Chandra Bose street which have become de facto canals that carry the water to the empty plot, will benefit.

But most of the water overflows into Chitlapakkam through the empty HRCE plot which looks like a small pond during the monsoon and is polluted by raw sewage in the summer.“Why isn’t the PWD tracing the original flow of water and identifying residential and commercial buildings which are impediments?”, said P Viswanathan, president of the Chitlapakkam Residents Welfare Association whose RTI petition asking for details of the outlet water channels of Selaiyur lake has been ignored.

Viswanathan’s RTI petition was sent to the Water Resources Department on September 12. It was forwarded by the executive engineer, A Muthaiya of the Lower Palar Basin division, to his assistant on November 22, instructing him to provide Viswanathan the information.But Viswanathan is yet to receive a response. “Because the HRCE plot is empty, it ensures the flooding is minimised, but if they construct buildings there, the flooding will be uncontrollable,” Viswanathan says.

When Express contacted a PWD official in Kancheepuram district regarding the new proposal, he maintained that the “cut-and-cover” method proposed is the most effective way to prevent water from stagnating on roads.Viswanathan also claimed the alternative suggested by the residents of Chitlapakkam to construct a drain along the Velachery Main Road is “not a feasible option”.Residents feel let down by the efforts taken by the government after Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami surveyed the flooded area in November.“This proposal is an expensive short-term solution,” says Viswanathan.

RTI plea sent to Water Resources Dept ignored

P Viswanathan, president of the Chitlapakkam Residents Welfare Association, asks “Why isn’t the PWD tracing the original flow of water and identifying residential and commercial buildings which are impediments?” His RTI petition asking for details of the outlet water channels of Selaiyur lake has been ignored. Viswanathan’s RTI petition was sent to the Water Resources Department on September 12. It was forwarded by the executive engineer, A Muthaiya of the Lower Palar Basin division, to his assistant on November 22, instructing him to provide Viswanathan the information. But Viswanathan is yet to receive a response.

‘Why not give 270 days maternity leave?’

By Express News Service | Published: 03rd January 2018 02:28 AM |

CHENNAI: Why not the Union government enhance the maternity leave from the existing 180 days to 270 days (nine months) as done by the Tamil Nadu government by virtue of a GO dated November 7, 2016?

Justice N Kirubakaran raised the on a writ petition from U Ishwarya praying for a directive to the authorities to exclude maternity leave period she had availed while calculating two years’ service period and to permit her to undergo PG course.

Though the judge directed the authorities concerned to admit her in PG diploma in gynaecology and obstetrics for 2018-19, he issued a set of questions to be answered by them.

They are: Why not the Centre direct the States that do not offer maternity leave of even 180 days to make it at least on a par with what Central government women employees get at present? Why not the Centre invoke Article 249 viz., power of Parliament to legislate in respect of a matter in the State list to treat maternity benefits, including maternity leave and the right of the child to be breastfed as issues of national interest?

Why not the court declare the right of newborn to have mother’s milk up to six months, exclusively and up to two years along with substitution as a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution and as a human right as per international treaties?

Is a ‘creche facility’ provided for women to have easy access to child and to feed during office hours in Central as well as State governments offices, where more women government employees are serving?

Why not the governments come out with special insurance coverage for all women covering maternity risk by making one time deduction of a specific amount from the salary in the first month of pregnancy and the government itself pay insurance premium for non-working women? Why not the make it mandatory to get an undertaking from women employees to get maternity benefits, including leave, that they would not have more than two children as a measure of population control, taking into consideration the population issue.

Why not insert a penal provisions to punish the officials who are not granting maternity leave in time? Why not the government make it obligatory on the part of women government servants availing themselves of maternity benefits to give breast milk exclusively to the child at least during the said maternity leave period as medical experts opine that mother’s milk is not only healthy for the child, but also for the mother, as research revealed that it would bring down incidence of breast cancer?

Why not sensitise the masses, especially employed women, about the importance of the breastfeeding through media roping in celebrities such as actors and cricketers as well as organise seminars and discussions in government offices, also through medical counsellors? Why not the Central government bring in a law making it obligatory on the part of women to breastfeed, as has been done by UAE government? Are the provisions of “the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992, are properly implemented, including banning infant foods through advertisements and breastfeeding is promoted?

Can the Centre and State governments could bring in a new law to provide breastfeeding rooms/spaces in public places such as bus stand, railway stations, malls and workplaces in the interest of feeding mothers? Why not the governments spend more amount per child, as per global breastfeeding scoreboard, 2017, released by global breastfeeding collective, which states that India spends only a negligible amount of less than `10 per child?

Why not the governments further improve maternal health services to reduce maternal mortality rate, even though the recent World Bank data puts the rate at 174 per one lakh live births in 2015 compared to 215 per one lakh in 2010?

The judge impleaded the secretaries of Union Ministries of Law, Women and Child Welfare, Commission for Women Development, Secretaries State Law and Health. They should file their response to the queries through video-conferencing on January 22, the judge said.

Chennai: Call taxis to strike, want Ola, Uber regularised

By Express News Service | Published: 03rd January 2018 02:21 AM |

CHENNAI: About 40,000 call taxis and tourist taxis in Chennai city will go off the roads on Wednesday demanding the government’s intervention in regularising app based cab services such as OLA and UBER. The Tamil Nadu Call Taxi Owners and Drivers Association (TNCTODA) said they were forced to take the decision after three cab drivers in the city allegedly committed suicide due to debts.

The drivers alleged that cab aggregators OLA and UBER take about 27 per cent of their earnings a day. Hence, they have trouble making their ends meet. The drivers also say they are being penalised by the service providers for trivial reasons. “If we drive a car for about 12 to 14 hours a day, we earn Rs 2,000. Nearly 27 per cent of what we should be earning, about Rs 540, is taken away by OLA and UBER.”

After spending for fuel, the drivers said they earn just Rs 460 per day. “With this money, they are not able to run their families,” said P Anbazhagan, president of TNCTODA. He said the workers are being exploited by OLA and UBER, and government has remained a mute spectator. “Many a time, drivers are asked to pick up passengers after travelling for about five to seven kms. When we go as tourist taxi (outside Chennai City) to Kancheepuram, we are forced to pick up passengers at Tiruvallur by travelling more than 30 km at our own expense,” he said.

According to the association, about 32,000 cabs are operated for OLA and UBER in Chennai, while rest of the vehicles run for NTL, Fast track, Friends and other companies. Thus, out of the 40,000 cars, nearly 20,000 cars run by drivers and owners on a shift basis. This means, nearly 60,000 families depended on this service.

The number of cabs increased in Chennai city after many auto drivers migrated to cabs and those newly migrated cab drivers have purchased cars through bank loans.

“I have to pay Rs 15,500 towards EMI every month. If I earn Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 a month, only then will I be able to meet my needs. However, I only get Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 a month, that too after working for nearly 12 to 14 hours a day,” said Thananchezhiyan of Kovilampakkam, a cab driver.

“During night hours, inebriated travellers frequently quarrel with us. Some ask us to drive through roads that are less than five feet in width and if we refuse, we are penalised Rs 500 by OLA and UBER,” he added.

Fix rates, say drivers

Saying that cab drivers are pushed to commit suicide, the association members want the government to fix rates for cab services and reduce OLA and UBER share of 27 per cent to seven per cent

Govt officials to declare assets of parents, kids

By Express News Service | Published: 03rd January 2018 03:01 AM |

BENGALURU: In a move to bring greater transparency and accuracy, the state government has decided to make it mandatory for the government servants to declare the assets and liabilities of their parents and children annually.

The state cabinet on Tuesday cleared a proposal to amend Rule 7 of Form 4 in the Lokayukta Rules, 1985, incorporating new clauses in the columns of assets and liabilities being declared by government servants every year, which is being submitted to the Lokayukta.

Government servants, including ministers and legislators, are presently declaring details of their assets and liabilities along with that of their spouse. The proposed amendment brings their parents and children too under its ambit.

The amendment also makes it mandatory to mention the value of their immovable properties on the basis of the latest guidance value of the property. The government servants would also have to submit details of the worth of jewels and even household articles like furniture, if the worth of the latter is over `25,000, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said briefing the reporters after the cabinet meeting.The amendment is being introduced based on the recommendation of the legislature committee, he said.

Boost for SC/ST recruitment in pvt sector

With an eye on the fast approaching Assembly election, the Siddaramaiah government has come out with a significant gesture to ensure greater representation for SC/ST communities in private sector by deciding to reimburse the ESI cost of SC/ST employees in private sector. The move comes in the backdrop of demand for introducing quota for SC/STs in private sector jobs. Siddaramaiah has expressed his solidarity with the demand and the decision is being seen as a step in that direction.

Central govt pay scale for HC employees

It is a memorable happy new year for High Court employees as the state government has agreed to implement the Central government pay scale for the court employees. The decision was taken at the state cabinet in accordance with Supreme Court direction and it would come into effect from 2004. It would cost `319 crore to implement the order, Jayachnandra said.

Drinking water to Pavagada

The cabinet cleared a `2,352.60 crore drinking water project to supply water to border villages of Karnataka. The water will be supplied to villages of Molakalmuru, Challakere, Kudligi and Pavagada from Tungabhadra river. More than 50 per cent of the population residing in these villages are belonging to SC/STs and hence 50 per cent of funds allocated in the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan will be utilised for the purpose.

Aadhaar mandatory for all DBT schemes

Adhering to the Bill enacted by the Centre, the state government has decided to introduce the Karnataka Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, better known as Aadhaar Bill, in the State legislature session in February, to pave way for use of Aadhaar based-Direct Benefit Transfer in state government schemes. T B Jayachandra said the law will enable departments to notify Aadhaar as a major document to avail benefits under state scheme. Till now only central schemes or schemes that received funds from the centre such as NREGA.

Fodder scam: Special CBI court to pronounce quantum of sentence for RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav today

By IANS  |   Published: 03rd January 2018 12:43 AM  |  

Last Updated: 03rd January 2018 12:43 AM

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav being escorted by police officials after he was convicted by a special CBI court. (File photo | PTI)

RANCHI:  A special court will on Wednesday pronounce the quantum of sentence for jailed former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad and 15 others.

A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court had on December 23 convicted the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and 15 others in a case relating to the multi-million-rupee fodder scam.

Lalu Prasad's lawyer on Tuesday told reporters that they would press for minimum punishment in the case.

"Lalu is 70 years old and suffering from many diseases. We will seek minimum punishment for him " he said.

According to lawyers, Lalu Prasad can be awarded three to seven years' punishment. If he gets three years' punishment, he would get bail soon after sentencing.

Wednesday is January 3 and number 3 is bad omen for Lalu Prasad. He was first time convicted in fodder scam case on September 30, 2013, and was awarded five years' imprisonment on October 3, 2013.

Lalu Prasad is at present cooling his heels in Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi.

The CBI court had acquitted another former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra and five others in the case, relating to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 84.5 lakh from the Deoghar district treasury between 1990 and 1994. Lalu Prasad was the Chief Minister of then undivided Bihar from 1990 to 1997.

The trial in the case was completed on December 13 in the special CBI court and 10 days later, he was convicted on December 23.

There were 34 accused in the case, out of which 11 died during the trial, while one turned CBI approver and admitted to the crime. The 16 convicted people include three former IAS officials Phoolchand Mandal, Beck Julius and Mahesh Prasad.

Lalu Prasad is also facing trial in three more cases relating to the fodder scam, also known as "Chara Ghotala".