Madras University gets nod for distance B Ed course

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedJan 12, 2019, 1:39 am IST

Complying with the High Court’s orders, the authorities sealed the building floor-by-floor, on Thursday.

Madras University

Chennai: Municipal authorities in Tiruchengode in the district sealed a four-storied building following a Madras High court order, but their action drew the ire of traders, including those of computer services stores in the complex as the officials downed the shutters and locked them before they could remove their goods from shops.

The High court on a petition had directed the municipality to seal the four-storied building on S.S.T. Road in Tiruchengode as the construction was allegedly an encroachment on a piece of land belonging to three persons - Rajagopal, Sankaranarayanan and Veeramani.

Complying with the High Court’s orders, the authorities sealed the building floor-by-floor, on Thursday, but those whose shops were housed in that complex could not remove their goods before this took place. This left a lot of the owners irate.

This reportedly led to heated argument between the shop owners and the municipal staff, but the latter brooked no interference.

The firmness with which the officials sealed the building sparked tension in the area, but no damage was done reportedly.

When MGR came up with economically weaker sections quota

The Centre has ensured passage of a Constitutional Amendment Bill to provide 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections among the general category in both Houses of Parliament.

Published: 12th January 2019 02:37 AM 

M Karunanidhi and (right) M G Ramachandran | Express

By T Muruganandham

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Centre has ensured passage of a Constitutional Amendment Bill to provide 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections among the general category in both Houses of Parliament.

In Tamil Nadu, hailed as the birthplace of social justice, four decades ago, late Chief Minister MG Ramachandran (MGR) attempted to bring in an economic criterion for reservation for Backward Classes (BCs). MGR further declared that certain percentage of reservation would be provided to poor among the forward communities. However, he backed down after the AIADMK’s virtual rout in the Lok Sabha polls of 1980.

The MGR government issued an order (G.O.Ms.1156), dated July 2, 1979, fixing `9,000 as the annual income ceiling for BCs to get the benefits of reservation. To justify the G.O, the government cited the recommendations of the Backward Classes Commission, under the Chairmanship of AN Sattanathan, submitted in 1970. Then general secretary of Dravidar Kazhagam K Veeramani (now president) and late DMK president M Karunanidhi immediately opposed the move and, with many other leaders, spearheaded protests against it.

They argued that the order was unconstitutional and unreasonable, and said, “The Constitution clearly defines the beneficiaries as socially and educationally BCs. Introducing an economic element will be a wrong remedy to a malady which is essentially social.”


An unyielding MGR categorically stated that the government would not go back on its order fixing parental income as the criterion for concessions for BCs. He argued that the order would not, in any way, affect the 31 per cent of seats reserved for BC students. Quoting official figures, he said that in the preceding years, BC students, in addition to the reserved quota, obtained 29 per cent more seats in the open quota, thus getting a total of 60 per cent of seats in professional colleges.

MGR also said the order would benefit the poorer among the BCs, such as the children of dhobies, barbers, stone-masons, small farmers, cart-pullers and cycle-rickshaw pullers, whereas only the affluent had enjoyed the concessions till then. A month after the controversial G.O was issued, MGR, speaking at the valedictory function of the birth centenary celebrations of social reformer Periyar EV Ramasamy at Pudukottai on August 5, 1979, dropped another bombshell: His government would provide reservation for the poor among the forward communities.

This further fuelled the opposition to the `9,000 G.O, as MGR had made this announcement at a function celebrating Periyar, who strove for social justice throughout his life. Veeramani and Karunanidhi as well as leaders of other parties vehemently opposed the move.

Taking serious note of this second announcement, Karunanidhi termed it a ‘dangerous proposal’. “Reserving a certain percentage for poor among the forward communities... would reduce the opportunities for BCs/MBCs/SCs/STs in the open quota. So, the chief minister should give up his proposal immediately,” he said. When reporters pointed out that the Constitution specified backwardness in society only as “socially and educationally backward and not as economically backward”, MGR shot back: “The time has come for taking into account the economic backwardness also for providing reservation.”

Recalling this period, Veeramani told Express that people were shocked. “DK and DMK conducted protest meetings and took out processions throughout Tamil Nadu. The copies of the GO were publicly burnt and the ashes were sent to the authorities on November 26, 1979,” he recalled. Responding to the bundles of ashes being sent to the government, then Minister VR Nedunchezhiyan, No 2 in MGR’s cabinet, said, “Well, we will use this ash for our croton plants in the Secretariat.” In response, Veeramani told Nedunchezhiyan: “I thought MGR made you a minister. Now, it is clear for what job he had engaged you (maintaining garden).”

Meanwhile, Parliament was dissolved and Lok Sabha elections were held in 1980, the AIADMK winning only two seats. This came as rude shock to MGR. Many of his cabinet colleagues told him that the primary reason for this debacle was the G.O. Subsequently, MGR convened an all-party meeting on January 19, 1980 — which was boycotted by the DMK.

“I had prepared a question-and-answer type of memorandum, wherein I had answered all questions raised by MGR on introducing economic criterion for providing reservation. My representation alone lasted over an hour in the all-party meeting. MGR listened to my views attentively,” Veeramani recalled.
Two days later, MGR agreed to withdraw the controversial G.O. Another G.O was issued on January 21, 1980 announcing this, seven months after the original GO had been issued.

DK and DMK conducted protest meetings and took out processions throughout TN. Copies of the GO were burnt and the ashes were sent to the authorities on November 26, 1979 K Veeramani, Dravidar Kazhagam president

More reservation

Veeramani pointed out that after the debacle in 1980 Lok Sabha elections, MGR went a step ahead and raised the reservation quota for BCs from 31 per cent to 50 per cent to assuage their feelings. The forward communities moved the SC against this. The court directed the State to appoint an independent body to study the grounds for raising the proportion of the reservation. A commission, headed by IAS officer JA Ambasankar, gave a report justifying the order

Stay on nurses’ transfer counselling

The petitioner submitted that as per the notification, the candidates should have at least one year experience and produce a service certificate in order to attend the counselling.

Published: 12th January 2019 02:46 AM |

By Express News Service

MADURAI: The Madurai Bench ordered a stay on the State-wide transfer counselling proposed to be conducted by the Department of Medical and Rural Health Services for the post of nurses (regular time scale).

The counselling, which was scheduled to be held at the Government Kilpauk Medical College in Chennai on Friday was stayed following a petition filed by R Karthick, Secretary of Tamil Nadu Health Employees Welfare Association, challenging the notification issued by the department for the counselling.

The petitioner submitted that as per the notification, the candidates should have at least one year experience and produce a service certificate in order to attend the counselling. However, the impugned notification was published without giving sufficient time to the candidates to get such a certificate. Justice R Subramanian, ordered a stay on the counselling until further orders.

Enforcement Directorate attaches Rs 50.02-crore assets of Subiksha MD

Therefore, the properties so far attached under the provisions of PMLA, amount to Rs 59.49 crore, said P Manikkavel, joint director of Enforcement Directorate.

Published: 11th January 2019 03:53 AM |

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Enforcement Directorate has attached shares and four immovable properties worth   Rs 50.02 crore, belonging to R Subramanian, the promoter and managing director of Subiksha Trading Services, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate for money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Subramanian, whose retail chain of stores with the brand name of ‘Subiksha’, sells products in fast moving commercial goods (FMCG), pharma, groceries, fruits, vegetables, apart from seasonal retail business and telecom products, was arrested after he was charge-sheeted earlier in a bank fraud case by the Central Bureau of Investigation, (Bank Security & Fraud Cell), Bangalore, in 2013, for defrauding Bank of Baroda, Corporate Financial Services Branch in Chennai, to the tune of Rs 77 crore.

During the course of the Enforcement Directorate investigation, it came to light that the Economic Offence Wing (EOW), Chennai, had also registered a Criminal Case under The Tamil Nadu Protection of Interests of Depositors Act against the accused R Subramanian, for non-refund of depositors’ money and interest, approximately around Rs 150 crore, by Vishwapriya Financial Services Limited wherein, R Subramanian was the Managing Director of the Company.


It was also found that R Subramanian and Subhiksha Trading Services Limited, has defaulted the loan amount to the tune of Rs 890 crore (approximately, including interest), from a consortium of bankers and the cases are pending before the Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal, Chennai.

Immovable properties worth Rs 9.47 crore had earlier been attached by the Directorate. This includes the attachment of immovable properties worth Rs 4.55 crore in Neelankarai in Marakanam in 2002 and Rs 4.92 crore properties in Vepery. Therefore, the properties so far attached under the provisions of PMLA, amount to Rs 59.49 crore, said P Manikkavel, joint director of Enforcement Directorate.

Chennai: Vegetable, sugarcane prices skyrocket ahead of Pongal
Traders told Express that sugarcane had started arriving at the Koyambedu market with a bundle costing around Rs 350 to Rs 400.

Published: 12th January 2019 02:23 AM 

As Pongal is round the corner, Sugar cane harvestion is going on in full swing in Ettimangalam village near Melur in Madurai district. (EPS | K.K. Sundar)
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: For Pongal this year, prices of sugarcane and vegetables are likely to go up as supplies are dwindling and traders forecast that the minimum price of tomato could be above Rs 50 a kg, depending upon the availability.

Traders told Express that sugarcane had started arriving at the Koyambedu market with a bundle costing around Rs 350 to Rs 400. “We are getting only 10 to 15 trucks in the last two days and the arrivals may go up tomorrow,” said trader Sadagopan.

He said the prices are likely to go up since the tender price for space being allocated to sell sugarcane has gone up from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 10.5 lakh. However, he refused to speculate how much the price would rise.

Sugarcane is considered as an indispensable part of Pongal and every Tamil household has sugarcane as part of celebrations. Interestingly, the prices of vegetables which are used for Pongal could also rise. Koyambedu Vegetable, Fruit and Flower Merchants Association president Thiagarajan said that the availability of tomatoes would depend on the supply.


“We used to get 70 trucks but now only 45 trucks are supplying tomatoes,” he said. Abdul Qader, Koyambedu Vegetable Wholesale Merchants Association, told Express that vegetable prices were already spiralling with ladies finger, which was selling a week earlier at Rs 20 to Rs 50 per kg, having gone up to Rs 50 per kg and it would be hardly surprising if it went beyond Rs 50 during the Pongal festival. He foretold that the minimum price of any vegetable would be Rs 30 per kg and above.

Cold weather hits tomato supply, prices touch ₹60/kg

D.Govardan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:12.01.2019

Lower acreage for tomato cultivation in Tamil Nadu and cold weather in key regions of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have hit supply in the state, pushing up prices. In Chennai, the hybrid ‘navin’ variety hit a high of ₹60 per kg in retail markets on Friday, while the local variety cost ₹50 per kg.

Several hotels in Chennai have come up with solutions that includes cutting down on tomato use. “We are restricting the use of tomatoes as much as possible and alternatively using tamarind... We are ensuring that customers are not affected in any way,” said M Ravi, who runs the Vasantha Bhavan chain of vegetarian restaurants and is Chennai Hoteliers Association president.

The situation is the same across the state, with Cyclone Gaja that ravaged Dindigul district, a major tomato hub, being cited as a reason for short supply. Around this time last year, wholesale tomato prices in places like Madurai hovered around ₹5 per kg.

At the Koyambedu wholesale market in Chennai, there has been a 50% drop in number of trucks bringing in tomatoes, mainly from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. “A 15 kg box of tomatoes sold for ₹250-₹260 four days ago and crossed ₹500; higher quality tomatoes even sold for ₹550- ₹600 per box on Friday,” said Bhuvaneshwaran, a wholesale trader.

“A huge drop in tomato cultivation in TN has forced traders from Dindigul and nearby districts to look for supplies from AP and Karnataka, adding to the woes,” says Ravi S, another wholesaler.

For Madurai region, this is when local markets get large supplies, mostly from Dindigul. “Horticultural crops on 5,600 hectares were damaged by Cyclone Gaja. Though tomato crops were not damaged, there was heavy flower drop, affecting supply,” said Dindigul deputy director of Horticulture, K Srinivasan.

In Coimbatore region, the unusually cold weather has taken a toll on cultivation, spiking prices from ₹30 per kg a fortnight ago to ₹60 now. While bad weather forced reduction in acreage of tomato cultivation, the yield from cultivated crops too dropped. “I used to harvest 15 tonnes per acre. This season, I managed only seven tonnes,” said S Ganesan of Thalavadi in Erode district. Farmers who used to raise tomato crop on more than 600 acres, this season cut it down to 250 acres.

“It’s a seasonal phenomenon, when tomato suffers damage during extreme cold. But, we have not seen any alarming damage or fall in yield in Coimbatore,” said M Chinnadurai, Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies, TNAU.

(With inputs from V Mayilvaganan in Coimbatore, Padmini Sivarajah in Madurai)

In Chennai, the hybrid ‘navin’ variety hit a high of ₹60 per kg in retail markets on Friday, while the local variety cost ₹50 per kg

May 30 report

DVAC books ex-Teynampet ACP for taking bribe from undertrials

Siddharth.Prabhakar@timesgroup.com

Chennai:12.01.2019

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has booked a corruption case against CS Muthalagu, former assistant commissioner of police (ACP), Teynampet range, for allegedly taking bribes from undertrials to fix cases.

Muthalagu was in the news in May after audio clips of him discussing a bribe of ₹5 lakh to let off an accused in an abduction case had gone viral on social media. He was later shunted out to vacancy reserve.

The DVAC conducted a preliminary inquiry and based on its findings filed a case against him on Tuesday. Investigations revealed that based on intelligence tip-offs, Muthalagu had rounded up criminals in a private hotel in Teynampet and registered a case. The DVAC said notorious gangster Rocket Raja and four others, including brothers Sundar and Prakash, were sent to prison. The brothers were involved in a case which was transferred to the Central Crime Branch. While Prakash got arrested, Sundar absconded and got anticipatory bail later.

The DVAC said Muthalagu met all the accused separately and contacted Prakash on his mobile phone. He directed Prakash to call him on WhatsApp and demanded ₹20 lakh for letting off Prakash and his brother. Their conversations revealed that Prakash haggled and brought down the bribe amount to ₹5 lakh.

Unknown to the ACP, Prakash had recorded the call and burnt it on CDs. These discussions were held between February and May 2018.

On May 7, Muthalagu arrested Prakash, Sundar and Rocket Raja. The DVAC probe revealed that Muthalagu had already received upto ₹3.5 lakh from Sundar when he was absconding, through his advocate in connection with another case. The DVAC also obtained permission from home secretary Niranjan Mardi on December 3 before filing the case against the ACP. A voice analysis test was also done on the CDs, the DVAC said.