Govt. introduces three Bills in Assembly 

Amendment proposed to the Cooperative Societies Act, 1983

09/01/2020 , Special Correspondent, CHENNAI

The AIADMK government introduced three Bills in the Assembly on Wednesday.

While one sought to empower the government to take action against president or vice-president of registered cooperative societies, another sought to provide more powers to government in appointing the Vice-Chancellor to Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University.

While Cooperation Minister Sellur K. Raju was introducing the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2020 in the House, DMK MLA K. Pitchandi (Kilpennathur) opposed it.

At present, the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies Act, 1983, has no provision to place the president or vice-president of a registered cooperative society under suspension in the event of misappropriation of funds or breach of trust or gross mismanagement of the affairs of the society. Hence, the Bill was introduced in the House.

Soon after Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar introduced the Tamil Nadu Fisheries University (Amendment) Bill, 2020 in the House, DMK legislator U. Mathivanan (Kilvelur) opposed it.

The Bill seeks to provide powers to the State government to monitor the usage of government funds by the university and with power of inspection and inquiry. It has been decided to include a government nominee in the panel for selection of persons for appointment as Vice-Chancellor.

While Agriculture Minister R. Doraikkannu was introducing the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020, DMK member S. Austin (Kanniyakumari) opposed it in the initial stage itself.

The proposed legislation sought to replace the Ordinance promulgated earlier to extend the tenure of the special officers appointed to manage the affairs of the market committee pending the constitution of a new market committee by another six months beyond November 2019.

The Bills are likely to be taken up for consideration in the House later during the ongoing session.

We have always opposed NEET in State, says Minister 

Vijayabaskar rebuts charge of AIADMK softening on test

09/01/2020 , Special Correspondent, CHENNAI

C. Vijayabaskar

The AIADMK government maintained in the Assembly on Wednesday that it was still strong in its stand against implementing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions in Tamil Nadu.

Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar said the State government continued its stand against NEET in the State and was taking “multi-dimensional efforts” against the entrance test that include political pressure as well as legal option.

Dr. Vijayabaskar was replying to DMK president and Leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin, who raised the issue in the House during zero hour and questioned the State government on the status of the case by it in the Supreme Court last week.

The DMK leader sought to know from the government whether it was planning to take steps for another resolution against NEET since the earlier resolution passed by the Assembly was withheld by the President. Mr. Stalin said the action of the AIADMK government was the “biggest betrayal to social justice and students from rural areas.”

‘Opportunity lost’

The Health Minister took a dig at the DMK for having “sowed seeds of betrayal” as early as December 2010 when the idea of NEET came about during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), in which the DMK was an ally.

He said the State government was committed to fight against NEET and hence it had moved the Supreme Court seeking to challenge a provision governing the Indian Medical Council Act.

When Mr. Stalin said it was his party which moved the court against NEET and got a stay, Dr. Vijayabaskar said the then Medical Council of India under the UPA regime moved a review plea in the case despite the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa urging against it.

DMK’s Deputy Leader Duraimurugan intervened to say that the former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was “stubborn” in her stand against NEET but since her death, the ruling party could not prevent holding of the entrance test in the State.

A defensive Dr. Vijayabaskar listed the efforts taken by the AIADMK government against NEET through the years and said the DMK lost the opportunity to stop the entrance test while it had a chance and was now questioning the AIADMK.

SR announces special trains for Pongal 

Measure aimed at clearing extra rush
 
09/01/2020 , Special Correspondent, MADURAI

Southern Railway will run the following special trains to clear extra rush during Pongal.

Train No. 82601 Chennai Egmore–Tirunelveli Suvidha Special will leave Chennai Egmore at 6.50 p.m. on January 10 and reach Tirunelveli at 6 a.m. the next day. Train No. 06002 Tirunelveli–Tambaram Special will leave Tirunelveli at 6.15 p.m. on January 11 and arrive at Tambaram at 5 a.m. the next day.

These trains will stop at Tambaram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Vridhachalam, Tiruchi, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Sattur and Kovilpatti.

Train No. 82603 Tambaram– Tirunelveli Suvidha Special will leave Tambaram at 7.20 p.m. on January 12 and reach Tirunelveli at 6 a.m. the next day. Train No. 82604 Tirunelveli–Tambaram Suvidha Special will leave Tirunelveli at 6.15 p.m. on January 18 and arrive at Tambaram at 5 a.m. the next day.

The trains will stop at Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Vridhachalam, Tiruchi, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Sattur and Kovilpatti.

Train No. 82606 Nagercoil– Tambaram Suvidha Special will leave Nagercoil at 5 p.m. on January 19 and reach Tambaram at 5 a.m. the next day.

Train No. 06075 Tambaram– Nagercoil Special will leave Tambaram at 11.20 hrs. on January 20 and arrive at Nagercoil at 2 a.m. the next day.

The trains will stop at Valliyur, Tirunelveli, Kovilpatti, Sattur, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Dindigul, Tiruchi, Vridhachalam, Villupuram and Chengalpattu, according to a press release.

Special Sub-Inspector shot dead at check-post 

Wilson was checking an SUV

09/01/2020 , Special Correspondent, KANNIYAKUMARI

Unidentified persons shot dead a Special Sub-Inspector of Police, Wilson, 56, posted at Padanthalumoodu check-post near the Kerala border, while he was conducting a check on a car going towards Nagercoil from Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday night.

Three rounds fired

Sources in the police said Wilson was checking the sports utility vehicle, bearing registration number TN 57 AW 1559, which entered Kanniyakumari district around 10 p.m., when suddenly, the unidentified occupants of the car opened three rounds of fire at the police officer, inflicting bullet injuries on his forehead, abdomen and leg.

Even before other policemen at the check-post could react, the car fled from the spot.

A profusely bleeding Wilson was rushed to Kuzhithurai Government Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. The body was sent to Kanniyakumari Government Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem. An intense hunt has been launched in Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts to nab the assailants.

High alert

All check-posts in these districts and also in Kerala have been put on high alert following the killing of a police officer.

Parents of govt. staff may get health cover

09/01/2020 , Special Correspondent, CHENNAI

The State government will consider pleas to include ageing parents of government employees and those in local bodies under the purview of the health insurance scheme meant for pensioners in the State, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam told the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.

During his reply to DMK MLA G. Anbalagan (Kumbakonam) during the question hour, Mr. Panneerselvam (handling the Finance portfolio) said the request would be considered and a decision taken after consulting the Chief Minister.

The Deputy Chief Minister said he would consider another request by DMK MLA K. Pitchandi (Kilpennathur) to speed up monthly board meetings that reviews the requests from patients who need kidney transplantation.

With a premium of ₹350 each, the scheme covered 7.30 lakh pensioners and family pensioners with a network of 988 hospitals.

In 2019-20, ₹297.68 crore premium was paid to the insurance companies and 2.01 lakh pensioners benefited with treatment cost totalling ₹578 crore.

Here is the list of areas in Chennai facing power shutdown on January 09

According to a statement from Tangedco, the power supply will be resumed before 5 pm if work is completed.

Published: 07th January 2020 08:50 PM |

Power shutdown in Chennai owing to maintenance

By Express News Service

For carrying out maintenance work, the power supply will be suspended by Tangedco on Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm in the following areas. According to a statement from Tangedco, the power supply will be resumed before 5 pm if work is completed. Here is the list.

MATHUR: Vadaperumbakkam, V.S Mani Nagar, Kanniamman Nagar, MRH Road, Manjambakkam, Ranga Garden, Vinayagapuram, Anbu valarmathy Nagar, Chinna Thoppu, Kandasamy Nagar, 200ft ring road, Manjambakkam.

IIT AREA: Rengarajapuram, Sri Nagar colony, South Avenue, North Mada Street, Anna university.

NOLAMBUR: NNS, HIG, MIG, Chinna Nolambur, Adayalampet, Kongu Nagar, Mugappair West Block 1 to 8 th Block, Rajan Garden, Panneer Nagar, Mohanaram Nagar, Jaswanth Nagar, Reddy Palayam area AIBEA Nagar, Vellalar Street, Eri Scheme, Gangai Amman Nagar, Ponniamman Nagar, Keel ayanambakk

750 stalls, 13 days, unlimited books

With a `10 note, you can buy a tiny Dairy Milk bar or even two `5 ballpoint pens.

Published: 08th January 2020 06:23 AM 

By Shwetha Surendran

Express News Service

CHENNAI: With a `10 note, you can buy a tiny Dairy Milk bar or even two `5 ballpoint pens. But the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPASI) offer you a far better deal. This month only, for 13 days between January 9 and 21, can a measly ten rupees unlock a world of literary wonder and authors extraordinaire. Featuring over 750 stalls crammed with books, both in regional and foreign languages, the YMCA Ground at Nandanam will play host to the 43rd Chennai Book Fair. One of the largest of its kind in the continent, this year’s event is bound to excite adults and children alike.

With a special focus on Tamil Literature this year, as BAPASI aims to revive and revitalise it, it is no surprise to see a stellar author and speaker line-up at their ‘Eluthalar Mutram’ boasting the likes of Balakumaran, Perumal Murugan and Bama. Keeping in line with the underlying theme of showcasing the state’s heritage, be sure not to miss Odia artist Sudarshan Pattanaik’s sand rendition of Thiruvalluvar and an exclusive display titled ‘Keeladi-Eeradi’ with artifacts from the Sangam period, courtesy of the Department of Archaeology’s dig at Keeladi.

But be sure to know that this year, it is more than just books. Short films and documentaries will be screened at the venue. Oratorical, drawing and writing competitions have also been weaved into the schedule to encourage young local talent. “In the past, we used to do more than just look into our phones. We had a rich culture of reading in the state and we aim to inculcate this enthusiasm in the younger generations,” says RS Shunmugam, president, BAPSI.The 43rd Chennai Book Fair will be open from January 9 to January 21 at the YMCA Ground, Nandanam. On weekdays between 3 pm to 9 pm and on weekends from 11 am to 9 pm. Entrance fee at `10 per head.

At the fair

This year there will be a special focus on Tamil Literature. Short films and documentaries will be screened at the venue. Oratorical, drawing and writing competitions have also been weaved into the schedule to encourage young local talent.