3 officials booked by DVAC suspended

3 officials booked by DVAC suspended

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:10.08.2021

Three sub-registrars including a Chennaibased official who was booked by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) last week and an assistant in the registration department have been suspended for not obeying circulars issued by the inspector general of registration and carrying out activities affecting the public. An official press release said several circulars were issued to prevent fraudulent registrations. The inspector general of registration has placed Kodaikanal sub-registrar M Radhakrishnan, Othakadai, Madurai sub-registrar Sheik Abdullah, an assistant at the Othakadai office M Karthikeyan and Selaiyur sub-registrar A J George under suspension, the press release added. On Wednesday, the DVAC had registered a case against George after a recorded phone call exposed his demand for bribe.

Official sources in the registration department said that a sub-registrar in Madurai district had illegally facilitated the registration of 22 acres of land based on documents from Kerala. Another official in Dindigul district registered a fraudulent property, wherein a fake patta was used following which the original land owner approached the court concerned seeking relief. Moreover, one of the suspended officials was an accused in an FIR pertaining to a case relating to creating a fake Power of Attorney (PoA) to sell a plot at Madhavaram in Chennai worth ₹4 crore by forging the identity card of a person born in the city, who was residing in Australia in 2018.

No change in retirement age for Government staff

 

Arappor Iyakkam alleges irregularities in PWD tenders

Arappor Iyakkam alleges irregularities in PWD tenders

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 06.08.2021 

The anti-corruption NGO, Arappor Iyakkam on Thursday alleged that tenders floated by the Tamirabarani circle of the state public works department were showing favouritism to a section and demanded that four tenders be cancelled. The NGO had been carrying out a series of anti-corruption campaigns against the previous AIADMK government. It has now targeted the DMK government also for alleged irregularities.

In a press release, Arappor Iyakkam convenor Jayaram Venkatesan said the department had floated tenders valued at ₹30.98 crore and the bids were to be submitted in boxes kept in the office of the superintending engineer of Tamirabarani basin circle. “We reliably learn that all these physical points of contact are currently being used to eliminate other contractors and favour a particular person in the tenders”. He said the conditions in the tender were tweaked to restrict competition rather than promoting competition.

The department floated tenders for extension of groyne at Kovalam, laying groynes at Azhikkal, a groyne at Periyanayaki Street, and check dam across Pazhayaar in Thamaraikulam village.

The tender document mandates the contractors to approach the office of the superintending engineer, Tamirabarani basin circle, to buy the pre-qualification application and the price tender schedule. The application and price tender must be submitted separately, besides earnest money deposit. The annual turnover requirement had been set at 75% of the tender value and 150% of the annual work value. “The Central Vigilance Commission says the above pattern is a common irregularity. It says the average annual financial turnover during the last three years ending March 31 of the previous financial year should be at least 30% of the estimated cost,” Venkatesan said.

The PWD officials said submission of online tenders had not picked up in the department and the documents could be submitted either in boxes or through post. “As regards the tender conditions, we have set the criteria due to the quality mandated for antisea erosion work. If anyone had any objection, they could have brought it to our notice in the last one month and we could have held a pre-bid meeting and sorted it out. But no one objected to it,” said a senior official. While the last date for submission of bids for the first three contracts ended on Thursday, the deadline for the last one is August 17.

அரசு ஊழியர்களுக்கு மாதிரி துறை தேர்வு

அரசு ஊழியர்களுக்கு மாதிரி துறை தேர்வு

Added : ஆக 05, 2021 23:25

சென்னை:அரசு ஊழியர்களுக்கான துறை தேர்வுகள் தொடர்பான பயிற்சி தேர்வு, ஆன்லைனில் வெளியிடப்பட்டு உள்ளதாக டி.என்.பி.எஸ்.சி., அறிவித்து உள்ளது.

இது குறித்து தேர்வு கட்டுப்பாட்டு அதிகாரி கிரண் குராலா வெளியிட்ட செய்திக்குறிப்பு:அரசு ஊழியர்களுக்கான துறை தேர்வுகள், கணினி வழி தேர்வாக நடத்தப்படும். இது தொடர்பான விதிமுறைகள், குறிப்புகள், ஆன்லைன் மாதிரி தேர்வு உள்ளிட்டவை, டி.என்.பி.எஸ்.சி.,யின் இணையதளத்தில் வெளியிடப்பட்டு உள்ளன.

எனவே, துறை தேர்வுக்கு விண்ணப்பித்துள்ளவர்கள், டி.என்.பி.எஸ்.சி.,யின் இணையதளத்தில் தேர்வு தொடர்பான விபரங்களை பார்த்து, தேர்வுக்கு தயாராகி கொள்ளலாம்.இவ்வாறு அதில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

'ஓய்வூதிய பணப்பலன்களை பத்திரங்களாக ஏற்க முடியாது'

'ஓய்வூதிய பணப்பலன்களை பத்திரங்களாக ஏற்க முடியாது'

Added : ஆக 01, 2021 02:49

மதுரை,-''ஓய்வூதிய பணப்பலன்களை பத்திரங்களாக அரசு வழங்குவதை ஏற்க முடியாது,'' என, தமிழ்நாடு அரசு பணியாளர் சங்க மாநில தலைவர் குமார் தெரிவித்தார்.

மதுரையில் நேற்று அவர் கூறியதாவது: அரசு பணியாளர்களின் ஓய்வு வயது மீண்டும் 58 ஆக குறைக்கப்படும் என்றும், 60 அல்லது பணிக்காலம் 33 ஆண்டுகள் என நிர்ணயிக்கப்படும் என்றும் சில நாட்களாக செய்திகள் வெளியாகின்றன. கலக்கம்ஓய்வூதிய பணப்பலன்கள் உடனடியாக வழங்கப்படாது எனவும், பத்திரங்களாக தவணை முறையில் அளிக்கப்படும் எனவும் வெளியாகும் தகவல்கள், ஓய்வு வயதை எட்டியுள்ளவர்களிடம் கலக்கத்தை ஏற்படுத்தி உள்ளன.மாநிலத்தில் ஆண்டுதோறும் சராசரியாக 25 ஆயிரம் பணியாளர்கள் ஓய்வு பெறுகின்றனர். ஓய்வின் போது கிடைக்கும் பணப்பலன்களை வைத்து குழந்தைகள் திருமணம் உள்ளிட்ட செலவுகளை மேற்கொள்கின்றனர். எனவே, முதல்வர் ஸ்டாலின் இந்த செய்திகளுக்கு முற்றுப்புள்ளி வைக்க வேண்டும்.ஓய்வு வயதை நிர்ணயிக்கும் அரசின் கொள்கை முடிவுகள் எதுவாயினும் ஏற்புடையதே. ஆனால், ஓய்வூதிய பணப்பலன்களை ஓய்வின் போதே முழுமையாக வழங்காமல் பத்திரங்களாக வழங்குவதை ஏற்க முடியாது. பணி வரன்முறைமறைந்த முன்னாள் முதல்வர் கருணாநிதி பணியாளர்களுக்கு ஆதரவாக இருந்தார். எனவே, முதல்வர் ஸ்டாலின் பணியாளர்கள் நலன் காக்க வேண்டும்.பழைய ஓய்வூதியம் குறித்த தேர்தல் வாக்குறுதியை, வரும் சட்டசபை கூட்ட தொடரில் அறிவிக்க வேண்டும். தற்காலிக, ஒப்பந்த பணியாளர்களை பணி வரன்முறை செய்ய வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

குடியரசுத் தலைவர் வருகையால் ஆக.2-ம் தேதி தலைமைச் செயலக ஊழியர்கள் 1 மணிக்கு பணியை முடிக்க உத்தரவு

குடியரசுத் தலைவர் வருகையால் ஆக.2-ம் தேதி தலைமைச் செயலக ஊழியர்கள் 1 மணிக்கு பணியை முடிக்க உத்தரவு

secretariat-staff

தமிழக சட்டப்பேரவை நூற்றாண்டுவிழாவில் பங்கேற்க குடியரசுத் தலைவர் ராம்நாத் கோவிந்த் ஆகஸ்ட் 2-ம் தேதி வருவதால், அன்றைய தினம் தலைமைச் செயலக ஊழியர்கள் பகல் 1 மணிக்கு பணி முடித்து வீட்டுக்குசெல்லுமாறு உத்தரவிடப்பட்டுஉள்ளது.

ஆகஸ்ட் 2-ம் தேதி (திங்கள்கிழமை) மாலை 5 மணிக்கு சென்னை தலைமைச் செயலகவளாகத்தில் உள்ள சட்டப்பேரவை மண்டபத்தில் தமிழக சட்டப்பேரவை நூற்றாண்டு விழா,முன்னாள் முதல்வர் கருணாநிதியின் படத்திறப்பு விழா ஆகியவை நடைபெற உள்ளன.

இதில் குடியரசுத் தலைவர் ராம்நாத் கோவிந்த், ஆளுநர் பன்வாரிலால் புரோஹித், முதல்வர்மு.க.ஸ்டாலின் உள்ளிட்டோர்பங்கேற்கின்றனர். குடியரசுத் தலைவர் வருகை தருவதால் தலைமைச் செயலக ஊழியர்கள் அனைவரும் பகல் ஒரு மணிக்கு பணிமுடித்து வீட்டுக்கு திரும்புமாறு தலைமைச் செயலாளர் இறையன்பு உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளார்.

தமிழகத்தில் அரசு ஊழியர் ஓய்வு வயது மீண்டும் 58 ஆக குறைப்பு?- பணப் பயன்களுக்கு பதிலாக பத்திரம் தருவதற்கு எதிர்ப்பு

Published : 30 Jul 2021 03:14 am

Updated : 30 Jul 2021 07:03 am

தமிழகத்தில் அரசு ஊழியர் ஓய்வு வயது மீண்டும் 58 ஆக குறைப்பு?- பணப் பயன்களுக்கு பதிலாக பத்திரம் தருவதற்கு எதிர்ப்பு

அரசு ஊழியர்கள், ஆசிரியர்களுக்கான ஓய்வு பெறும் வயதை மீண்டும் 58 ஆக குறைப்பது, பணப்பயன்களை பத்திரமாக தற்போதுவழங்குவது என அரசு முடிவெடுத்துள்ளதாக தகவல் வெளியாகியுள்ளது.

தமிழக அரசில் 12 லட்சத்துக்கும் அதிகமான அரசு ஊழியர்கள், ஆசிரியர்கள், அரசு சார்ந்த பொதுத்துறை ஊழியர்கள், அரசு உதவி பெறும் கல்வி நிறுவனங்களின் ஊழியர்கள் உள்ளனர். இவர்களுக்கான ஓய்வு பெறும் வயது 58 ஆக இருந்தது.

கடந்த ஆண்டு கரோனா பாதிப்பால் நிதிச் சிக்கல்களை சந்தித்து வந்த நிலையில், அப்போதைய முதல்வர் பழனிசாமி, அரசு ஊழியர்களின் ஓய்வு பெறும் வயதை 59 ஆக உயர்த்தி அறிவித்தார். இதுகுறித்த அரசாணையில், 2020 மே 31-ம் தேதி பணி ஓய்வு பெறும் அனைவருக்கும் இது பொருந்தும் என்று தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டது. இதன்மூலம் 2020-ல் ஓய்வு பெறுபவர்களுக்கு ஓய்வுக்கால பணப் பயன்களை வழங்குவதை தவிர்த்தது.

கடந்த பிப்ரவரியில் கரோனா இரண்டாம் அலை தீவிரமடைந்தது. அப்போது, முதல்வராக இருந்தபழனிசாமி, அரசுப் பணியாளர்களின் ஓய்வு பெறும் வயது 60 ஆக உயர்த்தப்படும். 2021 மே 31-ம் தேதி பணியில் இருந்து ஓய்வு பெறும் பணியாளர்களுக்கும் பொருந்தும் என்று சட்டப்பேரவையில் 110-வது விதியின்கீழ் அறிவித்தார். இந்த அறிவிப்புக்கு அரசு ஊழியர், ஆசிரியர் சங்கங்களிடையே ஆதரவும், எதிர்ப்பும் எழுந்தது. ஓய்வு வயது நீட்டிப்புக்கு எதிராக நீதிமன்றத்தில் வழக்கும் தொடரப்பட்டது.

தற்போது திமுக அரசு பொறுப்பேற்ற நிலையில், முதல்வர் தனிப்பிரிவுக்கு வந்த மனு அடிப்படையில், அரசு ஊழியர் ஓய்வு பெறும் வயதைமீண்டும் 58 ஆக குறைக்க முடிவு எடுத்திருப்பதாகவும், அதற்கான கோப்பு தயாரிக்கப்பட்டு முதல்வர் ஒப்புதலுக்காக காத்திருப்பதாகவும் தகவல் வெளியானது. இதன்மூலம், உடனடியாக 40 ஆயிரம் பேருக்குமேல் ஓய்வு பெறுவார்கள் என்று கூறப்படுகிறது.

தற்போதைய நிதி நெருக்கடி சூழலில் ஓய்வு பெறுவோருக்கு உடனடியாக பணப்பயன்கள் வழங்கப்படாது என்றும் அதற்கு பதில் ‘அரசு பத்திரம்’ வழங்கப்பட்டு, குறிப்பிட்ட காலத்துக்கு பிறகு அதை செலுத்தி பணம் பெற்றுக்கொள்ள அறிவுறுத்தலாம் என அரசு முடிவுஎடுத்துள்ளதாகவும் தகவல் வெளியாகியுள்ளது. இதுகுறித்து இத்துறையினர் கூறியதாவது:

தமிழ்நாடு அரசு ஊழியர் சங்க தலைவர் மு.அன்பரசு: கடந்த ஆட்சியில் ஓய்வு வயதை உயர்த்தியபோதே எதிர்த்தோம். தற்போதுஓய்வு வயதை குறைப்பது வரவேற்கத்தக்கதுதான். ஆனால், ஓய்வூதிய பணப் பயன்களை அரசுபத்திரமாக தருவது ஏற்கக்கூடியதுஅல்ல. பல ஆண்டுகளாக இந்தபணப் பயன்களை நம்பி குழந்தைகளின் படிப்பு, திருமணம்போன்றவற்றை நடத்த காத்திருப்போருக்கு அதிர்ச்சியாக உள்ளது.

தலைமைச் செயலக சங்கமுன்னாள் செயலாளர் கு.வெங்கடேசன்: ஜாக்டோ ஜியோ சார்பில்,ஓய்வு வயது உயர்த்தப்பட்டதற்கு எதிர்ப்பு தெரிவித்திருந்தோம். தற்போது ஓய்வு பெறும் வயதுகுறைப்பு வரவேற்கத்தக்கது என்றாலும், பணப் பயன்களை பத்திரமாக வழங்குவதை ஏற்க முடியாது.

அரசு அலுவலர்கள் ஒன்றியத்தின் தலைவர் ஆர்.சண்முக ராஜ்: ஓய்வு வயதைக் குறைப்பதற்குத் அரசுக்கு திட்டம் எதுவுமிருந்தால், அதை கைவிட வேண்டும். இதனால், பணி நீட்டிப்பு பெற்ற ஏராளமான அரசு ஊழியர்கள் பாதிக்கப்படுவார்கள். மத்திய அரசு ஊழியர்களுக்கு இணையாக மாநில அரசுஊழியர்களுக்கு சலுகை வழங்கப்படும் என்று 1989-ல் அப்போதைய முதல்வர் கருணாநிதி அறிவித்தார். அவரின் வழி வந்த ஆட்சி அரசு ஊழியர்களை வஞ்சிக்காது என்று நம்புகிறோம். இவ்வாறு அவர்கள் தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.

TN issues order to implement 10.5% quota Bill for Vanniyars

TN issues order to implement 10.5% quota Bill for Vanniyars

Chennai: In a boost to the AIADMK’s ally, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and the Vanniyar caste that they represent, the DMK government in Tamil Nadu late on Monday issued an order to implement 

By HT Correspondent

PUBLISHED ON JUL 27, 2021 01:11 AM IST

Chennai: In a boost to the AIADMK’s ally, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and the Vanniyar caste that they represent, the DMK government in Tamil Nadu late on Monday issued an order to implement the 10.5% internal reservation allocated for the community. “This reservation will be followed for government jobs and educational institutions from this academic year,” the order read.

The previous AIADMK regime had on February 26 passed a legislation in the assembly to allocate 10.5% quota to the Vanniyar community within the existing 20% quota for the Most Backward Classes. The move was made ahead of the assembly elections that were held on April 6, to appease the PMK that threatened to walk out of the alliance if their demands weren’t met. The order issued by Mythili K Rajendran, secretary to the government said that the reservation which came into effect on February 26, will be applicable for new vacancies called by recruiting agencies and appointing authorities.

PMK founder S Ramadoss thanked the former AIADMK leadership for enacting the law and chief minister M K Stalin for implementing the reservation. “The situation of the people from the Vanniyar community will gradually improve when the reservation is implemented in employment and education,” Ramadoss tweeted in Tamil. Just a day ago, Ramadoss had expressed his disappointment that admissions for courses in engineering, arts and science colleges were announced without mentioning the reservation for Vanniyars.

Necessary amendments to the Tamil Nadu Government Servants (Conditions of Service) Act, 2016 shall be issued separately, the order said.

ஓ.பி.சி., சான்றிதழை தாமதமின்றி வழங்க மாவட்ட கலெக்டர்களுக்கு அறிவுறுத்தல்

DINAMALAR

பொது செய்தி

தமிழ்நாடு

ஓ.பி.சி., சான்றிதழை தாமதமின்றி வழங்க மாவட்ட கலெக்டர்களுக்கு அறிவுறுத்தல்

Added : ஜூலை 21, 2021 22:22

சென்னை:இதர பிற்படுத்தப்பட்ட வகுப்பினருக்கான ஜாதி சான்றிதழை காலதாமதமின்றி வழங்க, அதிகாரிகளுக்கு அறிவுரை வழங்கும்படி மாவட்ட கலெக்டர்களுக்கு அறிவுறுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது.

தமிழ்நாடு பிற்படுத்தப்பட்டோர், மிக பிற்படுத்தப்பட்டோர் மற்றும் சிறுபான்மையினர் நலத்துறை முதன்மை செயலர் கார்த்திக், வருவாய் துறை கூடுதல் தலைமைச் செயலர் மற்றும் மாவட்ட கலெக்டர்களுக்கு அனுப்பி உள்ள கடிதம்:மத்திய அரசு பணி நியமனம்; மத்திய அரசு கல்வி நிறுவன மாணவர்கள் சேர்க்கையில், இதர பிற்படுத்தப்பட்டோருக்கு, 27 சதவீத இட ஒதுக்கீடு வழங்கப்படுகிறது.

இதன்படி, தமிழகத்திற்கான இதர பிற்படுத்தப்பட்ட வகுப்பினர் பட்டியல், மத்திய அரசால் வெளியிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.கடந்த, 1993ல் நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்ட பெற்றோரின் ஆண்டு வருமான வரம்பு, 1 லட்சம் ரூபாயில் இருந்து, படிப்படியாக அதிகரிக்கப்பட்டு, 2017ல் 8 லட்சம் ரூபாயாக நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்டு நடைமுறையில் உள்ளது.

இவர்களுக்கான வருமான வரம்பை கணக்கிடும்போது, ஊதியம் மற்றும் வேளாண் வருமானத்தை சேர்க்கக் கூடாது என்ற வழிகாட்டு நெறிமுறைகளை பின்பற்றி, இதர பிற்படுத்தப்பட்ட வகுப்பினருக்கு, ஜாதி சான்றிதழ் வழங்க வேண்டும். இருப்பினும், இதர பிற்படுத்தப்பட்ட வகுப்பு ஜாதி சான்றிதழ் பெறுவதில் சிரமம் இருப்பதாக, அரசின் கவனத்திற்கு எடுத்து வரப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இதனால், மத்திய அரசின் 27 சதவீதம் இட ஒதுக்கீட்டின் கீழ் பயன்பெற இயலாத சூழ்நிலை ஏற்படுகிறது.எனவே, மத்திய அரசின் வழிமுறைகளை பின்பற்றி, இதர பிற்படுத்தப்பட்ட வகுப்பினர் ஜாதி சான்றுகளை, காலதாமதமின்றி வழங்கும்படி, ஜாதி சான்று வழங்கும் அலுவலர்களுக்கு, மாவட்ட கலெக்டர்கள் தகுந்த அறிவுரைகள் வழங்க வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு அதில் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

TN govt eases income norm for OBC certs

TN govt eases income norm for OBC certs

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:21.07.2021

Candidates applying for Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates in Tamil Nadu need not worry about creamy layer criteria as the state government has directed revenue officials and collectors to issue the certificate without insisting on income details. OBC certificates are required for candidates from backward communities to apply for admissions to central educational institutions and jobs.

The July 5 order states that salary and agriculture income need not be taken into account while calculating annual income ceiling of ₹8 lakh for parents of non-creamy layer category. The order, however, does not cover six categories, including people occupying constitutional posts and service and professional categories identified by the Centre in 1993. The move comes amid complaints about some officials raising objections while issuing OBC certificates citing income criteria.

‘There were issues in giving OBC certificates’

The communique was issued by A Karthik, BC, MBC & Minorities Welfare Department secretary.

For instance, an applicant, whose parent earns an annual income of ₹10 lakh that includes ₹7 lakh through salary and agriculture income will still be eligible for OBC certificate as the ₹3 lakh income through other sources alone will be calculated as the annual income. Even if an applicant’s income is ₹25 lakh, so long as the income through sources other than salary and agriculture is under the ₹8-lakh ceiling, they will still be eligible for OBC certificate.

The secretary further said in the letter to district collectors and revenue administration department that it had been brought to the government’s notice that there were issues in giving OBC certificates, hampering benefits offered by the Union government under 27% reservation for OBCs.

So long as the income through sources other than salary and agriculture is under the ₹8-lakh ceiling, they will still be eligible for OBC certificate

TN ups pensioners’ contributory share to family fund scheme

TN ups pensioners’ contributory share to family fund scheme

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:13.07.2021 

The state finance department has increased pensioners' contribution to the Family Security Fund Scheme and has sanctioned ₹25 crore to clear pending settlements.

According to the scheme guidelines, pensioners make a monthly contribution till the date of death and in return, family members get ₹50,000 on the death of the pensioner.

When the scheme was launched in 1996, each pensioner contributed ₹20 and ₹25,000 was paid on their death. The contribution and settlement amount was increased at regular time intervals to run the scheme.

But in August 2020, the state government stopped paying the settlements to family members of deceased pensioners, citing fund crunch as the reason.

The Director of Pension, the state agency implementing the scheme, said that on an average they received around 15,500 claims every year and they required ₹77.50 crore to settle these claims. But the annual receipt from pensioners is around ₹43 crore. This indicates that annual deficit of accural to the fund is about ₹35 crore.

As of May 2021, there are about 13,746 pending claims for settlement and the director requested the government to sanction ₹57 crore to settle these claims.

Considering the fact that it is an optional and self-supporting scheme, the state finance department on July 7 issued orders increasing the pensioners' monthly contribution from ₹80 to ₹150.

In addition to this, the state has sanctioned ₹25 crore to settle these backlog claims. This amount has been sanctioned as an advance from the government account to the sheme recoverable over 5 years period without interest.

Welcoming this, SA Vetrirajan, a retired commercial taxes officer, said that the previous government left the scheme in the lurch. "Though it is a small amout, it becomes handy for the bereaved family members to settle hospital bills or to take care of the cremation expenses," he said.

Ramasamy from Tamil Nadu Pensioners' Association said that present state government employees also pay the same contribution (₹150 per month) but they get ₹3 lakh as settlement. "The government should at least provide half of this amount for pensioners," he said.

The association has decided to take this request to the government after their state executive committee meeting in Trichy next month. There are seven lakh pensioners in the state and roughly 96,000 among them reside in Chennai.

Reserved govt posts for SCs lie vacant for over a decade

GAP IN EXECUTION

Reserved govt posts for SCs lie vacant for over a decade

Shanmughasundaram.J@timesgroup.com

09.07.2021

Tamil Nadu may have 69% reservation, but it doesn’t necessarily reflect in representation on the ground. For nearly a decade at least 30,000 posts reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) are lying vacant in various government departments in Tamil Nadu, multiple sources confirmed to TOI. This, according to employees’ associations and activists, indicated the lack of will to implement the reservation policy in employment in the government sector.

Repeated demands and protests to draw attention of the higher authorities have yielded no results. “The vacancies in our department remain unfilled for several years now,” said an officer in the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare department.

Admitting to the anomaly, a senior officer in Adi Dravidar Welfare department said they have issued a circular asking the district collectors and heads of each government department to furnish the details of the vacant posts.

“We have started the exercise. We will soon start the process of compiling the data,” said the officer on condition of anonymity. “The government is committed to filling the vacancies through a special drive,” he said, recalling such an assurance in the governor’s address in the state assembly recently.

Tamil Nadu’s reservation policy specifies that 18% of the 69% quota should be reserved for SCs in the recruitment process. The recruitment agencies like the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission and the Teachers Recruitment Board have, however, failed miserably to maintain the quota, sources said.

VCK general secretary and MP D Ravikumar said 14,317 teaching and 4,643 non-teaching posts for SCs in the higher education institutions remained unfilled. “The backlog of vacancies are growing every year. The situation is no better in other departments,” said the MP. He said he had petitioned higher education minister K Ponmudi to look into the huge backlog.

Citing a RTI reply to a query, S Karuppaiah of Tamil Nadu Dalit Liberation Movement said 27,264 vacancies of posts meant for SCs were lying vacant in 2019. “Now the number would have surpassed 30,000. It is nothing but denying equal opportunity to the oppressed sections in the land of Periyar (E V Ramasamy) and Anna (C N Annadurai),” he said. A plethora of petitions to the chief minister’s special cell, minister for SC/ST and official departments concerned under the previous regime had no effect.

In March this year, the Centre had disclosed that at least 42,000 posts reserved for the SC and Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Castes had been lying vacant in various Union ministries.

Members of Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers Organisations and Government Employees Organisations said the government’s disinterest in filling vacancies derailed the reservation policy meant to ensure social justice. They noted the reservation policy was not followed in promotions too. “Police, education and two other departments followed reservation policies for promotions, while the rest of the government departments followed service rules. This should be taken up too,” said another official.

7 months after seizures, DVAC books ex-official

7 months after seizures, DVAC books ex-official

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.07.2021

DVAC officials registered a disproportionate assets case against S Pandian, who held the post of superintendent of the department of environment, and his wife Latha on June 30, almost seven months after police seized valuables from his residence. Pandian was suspended in December 2020.

The DVAC team filed an FIR in December 2020 to conduct a surprise check at Pandian’s home in Maduravoyal. On December 15, 2020, the team led by the superintendent of police Lavanya seized ₹23 crore, gold, diamond, silver and documents for property worth ₹7 crore and other valuables.

A request was sent to the state vigilance commissioner in Tamil Nadu to book a fresh cases against Pandian and his wife Latha. However, the DVAC got the nod to proceed with the case only recently after new vigilance commissioner V Irai Anbu took over.

Officials said a detailed probe is planned as they suspect that Pandian colluded with politicians, former and senior police officers and those still in the force to block the DVAC investigation. Officials said Pandian, while working in the environment department, took bribes to redraw Tamil Nadu’s coastal map, thereby leading to the disappearance of 6,569 acres of land in Ennore creek.

Chief ministership not post; it’s a responsibility: Stalin

Chief ministership not post; it’s a responsibility: Stalin

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Trichy:08.07.2021

Chief minister M K Stalin took a pledge on Wednesday that he will treat chief ministership as a responsibility to serve people and not as a post. He conveyed his resolve through jottings made in the visitors’ book at Muthuvelar Noolagam-Anjugam Padippagam, two libraries in Thirukkuvalai functioning as a memorial of the parents of M Karunanidhi.

Stalin was visiting his ancestral house in Nagapattinam district for the first time after taking charge as CM, on the second day of his visit to the delta districts. He wrote that he has become chief minister because of the efforts and hard work of Udanpirappugal (blood brothers in Tamil) as termed by his father. “Thalaivar Kalaignar (M Karunanidhi) will often say that post (chief minister) means responsibility. Should serve people with responsibility. Bearing that in mind, my journey will continue by treating chief ministership as a responsibility. This is the pledge I take at his (Karunanidhi) birthplace (house),” the CM wrote.

En route to Thirukkuvalai, the CM received petitions from locals. He stopped by at Pinnavasal village to congratulate a newly married couple who was waiting for the convoy outside a wedding hall.

Earlier in the day, he inaugurated the comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care (CEmONC) building at Tiruvarur government medical college hospital. The facility has 200 beds for maternal care and 50 for intensive neonatal care. The CM then felicitated district collector P Gayathri Krishnan for vaccinating all 2,334 residents against Covid-19 in Kattur village near Koradacherry town in Tiruvarur district.

BACK TO THE ROOTS: CM M K Stalin with his family at their ancestral house in Thirukkuvalai village in Nagapattinam district

T.N. implements new health insurance scheme for its staff

T.N. implements new health insurance scheme for its staff

It will cover 203 approved treatments and surgeries

02/07/2021

Special CorrespondentCHENNAI

The Tamil Nadu government has issued an order for implementing the New Health Insurance Scheme, 2021, for its employees and their family members.

United India Insurance Company Limited, Chennai, will execute the agreement with the government, as recommended by the tender scrutinising committee, the Government Order said. The scheme will cover 203 approved treatments and surgeries at 1,169 empanelled hospitals for workers of government departments, State public sector undertakings, statutory boards, local bodies, and government universities, among others.

“The annual premium payable by the government to United India Insurance Company, Chennai, shall be at the rate of ₹3,240 [plus GST as applicable from time to time] per employee per annum for a block period of four years from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2025,” it said

Nobel laureate Esther Duflo, Raghuram Rajan in team to help revitalise TN's economy

Nobel laureate Esther Duflo, Raghuram Rajan in team to help revitalise TN's economy

Dr. Arvind Subramanian, former Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India, and Prof. Jean Dreze, noted development economist, will also be in the panel.

Published: 21st June 2021 12:41 PM |

Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan (Photo | PTI)

By T Muruganandham

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Giving a comprehensive policy outline of the DMK government on priority issues, Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Monday told the state Assembly that an Economic Advisory Council (EAC) comprising renowned economists including Nobel laureate Esther Duflo and former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan would be formed to advise the Tamil Nadu government on revitalising the state economy.

The other key announcements made by the Governor in his customary address to the first session of the 16th Assembly in Tamil Nadu include a white paper on the state’s finances, separate budget for agriculture, legislation to protect students from NEET, enacting a Right to Services Act to streamline the delivery of various public services by government agencies, according priority for Tamil medium students in state government jobs, setting up of satellite towns in suburban areas and forming a committee to formulate schemes for revival of MSMEs.

“The EAC is comprised of Nobel Laureate Prof Esther Duflo of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, Prof Raghuram Rajan, former Governor, Reserve Bank of India, Dr Arvind Subramanian, former Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India, Prof Jean Dreze, Development Economist and Dr S Narayan, former Union Finance Secretary,” the Governor said.

While outlining the policy initiatives, the Governor also touched upon the avowed ideologies of the DMK in his speech. Asserting that the DMK government would tread the path shown by social reformer ‘Thanthai’ Periyar, the Governor said, “This government is determined to transform Tamil Nadu into a state with a society with self-respect, with an empowered citizenry enjoying their rights and which is prosperous in all respects,” amidst thumping of desks by DMK MLAs.

Reiterating that this government is guided by the spirit of the Dravidian movement, and identifies social justice, gender equality, economic equity, opportunity-for-all through reservations, and progress through education and social reforms as its core values, the Governor said these values would drive every action, every legislation, every scheme and every initiative of this government.

The Governor also reiterated the DMK’s views on federalism and more powers for the state. “Strong states are needed to create a strong Union. This government will staunchly stand in defence of the rights of the states and constitutionally oppose any infringement of such rights. At the same time, we will maintain a cordial relationship with the Union government as partners in the process of nation building, in line with our policy of extending our hand in friendship, even as we speak up for our rights,” he underscored.

The DMK government, through the Governor’s address, assured the people that it would be a government for all and not one party’s government. “This government will be driven by the fundamental principle of social justice, “everything for everyone” and will serve as a government for all. This will be a people's government and not a party's government. This government will govern in a manner that all the people in the state will be united in proudly and wholeheartedly proclaiming it, “Our government”, the Governor added.

The Governor said this government would ensure that native Tamils, especially those that have studied in Tamil-medium and government schools, would be given priority in recruitment for government posts. The requisite changes to undo past orders which are contrary to this intent would be undertaken at the earliest.

Giving a detailed account on the expeditious steps taken for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and providing treatment to the affected persons, the Governor said so far, Rs 335.01 crore has poured in as contributions to the Chief Minister‟s Public Relief Fund from various quarters and of this Rs 241.10 crore has been allocated for COVID-related works.

Indicating that the new government is ready to face a third wave of Covid as medical experts have warned about it, the Governor said all necessary measures to counter the possible third wave would be taken. “Health infrastructure is being further strengthened. All the ongoing construction projects in the health sector, including that of the eleven new medical colleges, are being expedited for early completion. A new 500 bedded multi-specialty hospital will be constructed in the King Institute campus, Chennai, at a total cost of Rs 250 crore,” he added.

Highlights of the TN Governor’s address

To revitalise the state’s economy, an Economic Advisory Council to the Chief Minister with leading economic experts from all over the world as its members would be formed.

The Lok Ayukta will be revitalized and empowered to deal with complaints against public authorities including elected representatives and Government officials.

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption (DVAC) will be energized and pending complaints dealt with expeditiously.

A Right to Services Act will be introduced to streamline the delivery of various public services by government agencies.

New legislation to regulate groundwater use will be enacted to protect the interests of farmers and common people dependent on groundwater.

Will enact legislation to ensure that the students of Tamil Nadu are not adversely affected by NEET and will take steps to obtain the consent of the President for the same.

Satellite towns will be developed in sub-urban areas with modern amenities to decongest large cities in the state.

The preparation of the Third Master Plan for Chennai in consultation with all stakeholders will be completed well before the due date of 2026.

A Master Plan for fully realising Tamil Nadus tourism potential will be unveiled in the current year

A State Level Advisory Committee for all major Hindu temples will be constituted to enhance facilities for devotees, improve the maintenance of temples and to advise on related issues.

Native Tamils, especially those that have studied in Tamil-medium and in government schools, are given priority in recruitment for government posts.

The grievance redressal process for police personnel will be strengthened. Compassionate ground appointments will be expedited, especially in the case of those who die in the line of duty.

A white paper on the state’s finances will be released in July.

Separate budget for agriculture will be tabled in the State Assembly every year.

Uzhavar Sandhais (farmers’ markets) will be revitalized and more such farmers‟ markets will be established in the state.

This government will take all steps to achieve the target of 125 lakh metric tonnes of food grain production during 2021-22.

The Anna Centenary Library will be renovated and revitalised.

A mission mode project that will ensure continuity of education delivery will be implemented. ICT will be leveraged, and refresher courses will be delivered to children in order to make up for learning losses during the pandemic period.

An expert committee consisting of industrialists, banking and financial experts and government officials will be constituted to formulate schemes for revival of MSMEs.

Steps will be taken for establishing more industries in the northern districts covered under the Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor and the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor which are still industrially backward.

Singara Chennai 2.0 programme will be launched to provide modern world class infrastructure and services in Greater Chennai Corporation.

Necessary steps will be taken to expedite the Maduravoyal to Chennai Port elevated road project which was needlessly stalled.

Feasibility studies for Mass Rapid Transit Systems for Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Salem and Tirunelveli will be taken up.

A Master Plan for fully realising Tamil Nadu's tourism potential will be unveiled in the current year.

Backlog of unfilled vacancies intended for Adi-Dravidars and Scheduled Tribes in government jobs will be filled through a special recruitment drive.

In1st meet, CM asks PM to scrap NEET, drop oil exploration in TN

In1st meet, CM asks PM to scrap NEET, drop oil exploration in TN

PM Modi Promises Full Support, Said Stalin Can Reach Him Anytime

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.06.2021

Chief minister M K Stalin, in his maiden meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after assuming charge, requested him to scrap NEET and drop plans to extend such entrance exams for admission to other courses. He also asked the PM to drop hydrocarbon and neutrino projects planned for the state.

In a 25-minute meeting with the PM in New Delhi on Thursday, Stalin sought adequate allotment of vaccines and drugs for Tamil Nadu to fight Covid. The CM also demanded early commencement of vaccine production at HLL Biotech in Chengalpet and Pasteur Institute in Coonoor to overcome vaccine shortage.

The PM assured his full support for development projects in the state and said he could be reached anytime, the CM said.

Accompanied by water resources minister S Duraimurugan, chief secretary V Irai Anbu and DMK Parliamentary party leader T R Baalu, Stalin reached the PM’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg at 5pm. It was “happy and satisfactory,” Stalin told reporters about the meeting later in the day at Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi.

‘Will stay friendly but firm on state’s rights’

The state government chose not to release the full text of the 117-page memorandum submitted by Stalin to Modi.

The DMK government’s demands included revival of Sethusamudram shipping canal project and Maduravoyal-Chennai Port elevated road project. While the first was dropped by the BJP government at the Centre, the latter was spiked by the AIADMK government. It has also sought setting up of the apex court bench in Chennai.

Reacting to social media reports that the DMK government had agreed to implement the Chennai-Salem greenfield expressway project, the state government clarified that it had urged the Centre to drop the project.

Stalin sought to point out to Modi that the Centre was not supplying adequate quantity of Covid vaccines to Tamil Nadu. “The PM assured us of supply. We have been speaking to the PM and ministers over phone. They tell their difficulties,” Stalin said, seeking to recall the Centre’s direction to not reveal details of vaccine shortage. Urging speedy construction of AIIMS in Madurai, the state government has also demanded that an AIIMS-like institution be set up in Coimbatore.

On the farm front, the DMK government urged the Centre to repeal the three farm laws. It also demanded that the Citizenship Amendment Act, electricity amendment bill 2020, national education policy and the draft EIA notification 2020 be withdrawn. “He (the PM) assured us that he would consult the ministers and officials concerned and take a good decision,” the chief minister said, adding that his government would follow the principles of former chief minister M Karunanidhi when it comes to maintaining Centre-state relations. “We will extend a friendly hand for relationship and raise our voice for the rights.”

Stalin said he had requested Modi to declare Tamil as official language of India, that the proceedings in the Madras high court be carried out in Tamil and also demanded that Thirukkural be named the national literature.

On the release of seven Rajiv assassins, the chief minister said the state government had sent a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind after governor Banwarilal Purohit decided that the President was the competent authority to decide on remission of sentences. Stalin said the government would shut down Tasmac outlets in a phased manner akin to the previous AIADMK government’s policy. “Those who cast votes for us should remain happy and those who did not cast votes should feel sorry,” Stalin said, responding to queries about the 42 days of his governance.

CM announces high-level panel to study impact of NEET

CM announces high-level panel to study impact of NEET

It will suggest corrective measures if exam has caused harm

06/06/2021

Assessing the situation: The panel will look at whether NEET has affected students on the fringes of society. File photo VEDHAN M

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday announced the constitution of a high-level committee, headed by former judge of the Madras High Court Justice A.K. Rajan, to study the impact of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) on medical college admissions in Tamil Nadu.

“The committee will study whether NEET has affected students on the fringes of society, suggest corrective measures if NEET has caused any harm and alternative ways and legal means for medical college admissions for all, and its possible implementation,” the Chief Minister said in a statement.

Noted educationists and officials will be members of the high-level committee. “Tamil Nadu has a historical duty to uphold social justice, and the State government is committed to taking measures to remove the effects of NEET,” Mr. Stalin said.

Affecting some students

He said educationists were of the opinion that NEET had severely affected students of rural areas, those from poor families in urban areas, government schoolchildren and those who had studied in Tamil-medium schools.

“The [erstwhile] DMK government led by Kalaignar [M. Karunanidhi] enacted a law for admission to medical colleges based on the marks scored in the Class 12 examinations, and the State government has launched many legal battles [on this front],” he recalled.

Government in favour of phased relaxation of curbs

Government in favour of phased relaxation of curbs

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 05.06.2021 

After a two-week long intense lockdown in the state to bring the surge in Covid-19 cases under control, the Tamil Nadu government is mulling over phased unlocking, with measured relaxations. The state is considering the suggestions of health experts that relaxations could be introduced in the districts that have brought the pandemic under control.

Chief minister M K Stalin on Friday held a meeting with bureaucrats to take stock of the prevailing situation. As of now, only those shops selling essential commodities are allowed to function.

“District-wise analysis was done on the total positivity rate and the availability of health infrastructure to handle the situation. Health and revenue departments are jointly working on the relaxations and a call will be taken on Friday night and an announcement will be made on Saturday morning,” said a top official.

The government also took note of Chennai's sharp declining trend from 7,564 daily cases on May 12 to 1,971 on June 4 after a series of intense interventions by the administrative machinery, including adequate supply of oxygen. The availability of oxygen beds also increased considerably across the state.

While the active cases have fallen to 2.68 lakh as of Friday, the high number of cases in Coimbatore, Chennai, Tiruppur, Erode, Madurai, Trichy, and Salem remain a cause of concern. “Most of the districts have reached a peak and have started to decline while some have reached the peak only in the recent days and the declining rate is not as fast as we expected. Each district or region behaves in a certain way. Not all are uniform. We are looking at various factors before taking a call,” a senior official said, hinting at the possibility of grouping of districts that behave in a similar pattern. The state witnessed its highest number of active cases (3.13 lakh) on May 27, keeping the administration on toes resulting in intense lockdown being extended for a week ending June 7.

Tamil Nadu is mulling relaxations in districts that have brought the pandemic under control

State to decide on conducting Class XII exams in two days

State to decide on conducting Class XII exams in two days

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:03.06.2021

The state government will take a call on conducting Class XII board exams after getting feedback from teachers, parents, students, health experts and educationists in the next two days, school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said on Wednesday.

Online meetings will be held and suggestions received on tnschooledu21@gmail.com and on helpline 14417, the minister said.

On Tuesday, citing Covid-19, the Centre cancelled CBSE Class XII exams and said the assessment would be based on objective criteria in a time-bound manner. Students not satisfied with the assessment will be given the option of appearing for exams when the situation is conducive, it said.

Following the Centre’s announcement, chief minister M K Stalin held a meeting with the school education minister.

“The central government took a decision to cancel CBSE Class XII exams when most states were in favour of conducting them. The CM wanted us to get the opinion of teachers, parents, students, health experts and educationists before taking a call on Class XII exams. He also wanted to know the stand of other states on cancelling Class XII exams,” the minister told reporters.

“Students’ health is very important to us. At the same time, Class XII exams and marks are also important for students. At present, there are mixed opinion about the cancellation of board exams. We will take a decision based on a majority of the views," he said.

At the meeting of education ministers last week, Tamil Nadu said it was in favour of conducting the board exams.