GIM 2 attracts over Rs 2 lakh crore investment, says CM Edappdi K. Palaniswami

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | J.V. SIVA PRASANNA KUMAR

PublishedJan 24, 2019, 6:06 am IST

The maiden Global Investors Meet was held in 2015 under the Chief Ministership of J. Jayalalithaa.

Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami

Chennai: Expressing confidence that Tamil Nadu will exceed its target of securing over Rs 2 lakh crore investment during the second edition of Global Investors Meet (GIM) underway at the trade centre here, Chief Minister Edappdi K. Palaniswami said it would be one of the main contributors to national economic development.
“I am happy to say we have already exceeded this target (of Rs 2 lakh crore). I hope to make an announcement on the resounding success of the meet and the investments garnered when we meet here tomorrow,” Mr Palaniswami said and added Tamil Nadu looked to the future with confidence and with hope.

“I congratulate all those who are entering into a partnership with Tamil Nadu as your bright future is assured here as our State is a land of immense opportunities,” he said.

The maiden Global Investors Meet was held in 2015 under the Chief Ministership of J. Jayalalithaa. It helped to attract 98 investment proposals with an investment commitment of Rs 2.42 lakh crores. These projects have investment period ranging from 3 to 7 years.

At present, 62 Fortune 500 companies have established their facilities in Tamil Nadu which has attracted substantial FDI. Actual FDI inflows into the State from April 2000 to June 2018 was 27,953 millions US dollars. Out of this, more than 75 % of FDI was attracted since April 2011.

“Our revered leader, Puratchi Thalaivi Amma did not believe in resting on her laurels. Nor will we. Puratchi Thalaivi Amma's Vision Tamil Nadu 2023, remains our vision document for action. We will strive for achieving the goals of ‘Peace, Prosperity & Progress’ she had set for us,” Mr Palaniswami said.

He announced a package of second generation reforms including rapid infrastructure development, assured supply of quality energy, deregulation to reduce transaction time and costs, labour reforms and State level tax reforms with an emphasis on simplification of procedures, to revitalise the manufacturing sector.

The two day event, GIM-2019, will showcase a variety of opportunities to explore deeper about investment opportunities in Tamil Nadu. The government has organised 25 seminars, including five country seminars during the next two days. The government has partnered with France, UK, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Singapore and these countries have established their stalls in the exhibition.

All Nippon Airways to launch direct flights between Chennai, Tokyo soon

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedJan 24, 2019, 6:37 am IST

He said that ANA was targeting both passengers as well as cargo from Chennai to Japan.

The envoy also talked about Japanese companies coming forward to invest in Tamil Nadu and stated that a master plan was being prepared by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. 

(Photo:Representational Image)

Chennai: Japanese Airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) has proposed to introduce direct flights from Chennai to Tokyo this year.

Addressing the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2019 in Chennai on Wednesday, Japan Ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu said that a direct flight service between Chennai and Tokyo would commence during winter 2019. Hiramatsu said that that there were 1,441 Japanese companies present in India of which 200 were located in Chennai.

The envoy also talked about Japanese companies coming forward to invest in Tamil Nadu and stated that a master plan was being prepared by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Later, general manager of ANA India, Yasuo Taki, said that the expansion was being planned with a sizeable number of Japanese companies investing in Chennai.

He said that ANA was targeting both passengers as well as cargo from Chennai to Japan. There is a lot of potential for cargo. The airline also has plans of expanding its reach in Asia-Oceania. Currently, ANA operates only in Delhi and Mumbai.

No legal compulsion on States to implement 10 per cent quota now: Tamil Nadu Minister

We will see how it is being implemented by Central government and when the legislation crosses the legal hurdles, Tamil Nadu government will take a view on this quota, K Pandiarajan said.

Published: 23rd January 2019 03:44 AM


Image for representational purpose only

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Minister for Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture K Pandiarajan on Tuesday said there was no legal compulsion on State governments to immediately implement the 10 per cent reservation for economically backward sections in the general category since the constitutional amendment in this regard is already facing legal hurdles.

Asked about the implementation of 10 per cent quota in Tamil Nadu since the central government is slated to enforce it from February 1, he told Express “Already, AIADMK had stoutly opposed the amendment bill in both houses of Parliament and the State government stands for social justice providing 69 per cent reservation. Already, a few have moved the Supreme Court challenging this reservation on the grounds that reservation could be provided only on social and economic backwardness. So, let the legislation cross the legal hurdles first. Since it is Central government legislation, the States have to first accept them. Besides, Tamil Nadu is unique in providing reservation to different categories of society when compared to other States. So, let us see how it is being implemented by Central government and when the legislation crosses the legal hurdles, Tamil Nadu government will take a view on this quota.”

Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha and a senior leader of AIADMK, vehemently opposed the 10 per cent reservation in Lok Sabha arguing that the move was against principles of social justice. He also said instead of providing 10 per cent for economically backward among the general category, the Centre should first give constitutional validity to 69 per cent reservation in Tamil Nadu, the legislation for which is still given protection in Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

150 government employees arrested in Chennai as preventive measure

Almost a fourth of government staff did not report for work on Wednesday, said a senior government official.

Published: 24th January 2019 03:28 AM |


Police clearing JACTO GEO protesters who staged a demonstration near the Periamet police staton on Wednesday | EXPRESS

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: On the second day of the indefinite strike announced by members of Joint Action Council of  Tamil Nadu Teachers Organisations and Government Employees Organisations (JACTTO-GEO), about 150 members were arrested as a preventive measure in the city, police sources said. Almost a fourth of government staff did not report for work on Wednesday, said a senior government official.

Across the State, government employees were arrested, detained in halls and later released in the evening. The strike will continue until the government fulfils their demands, according to the association. In Chennai, they staged a protest near Central railway station. The protest will be held in front of the collectorate on Friday, an association release said.

Functioning of government offices did not take a severe hit, but several elementary schools in the State remained shut, as majority of strike participants were teachers, particularly those teaching at Anganwadi centres and Classes 1 and 2. However, schools with higher grades were functional as it saw lesser participation from higher class teachers. Government teachers from 57 different associations are participating in the strike.

Employees from the State Secretariat did not participate. Around half the employees from Ezhilagam and Chennai collectorate participated in the strike. A Mayavan, a State coordinator of the association, said there was a 100 per cent participation from employees at the collectorate of other districts.

READ HERE: Madras HC tells striking JACTTO-GEO employees to go back to work

Government staff from across the State participated even as the State government warned that action will be taken against those who strike work.

A statement issued by the Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan on Monday said no pay will be issued to employees who strike. The employees have planned to hold a protest at Ezhilagam, Chennai Corporation and the collectorate until Friday.

Earlier, the association had a seven-point charter of demands in which they urged the government to repeal the new pension scheme and revert to the old one, settle a 21-month pay arrears according to the new pay commission guidelines, settle pay anomalies for secondary teachers and regularise jobs of part-time staff and teachers working at Anganwadis.

In addition to these, the association has included new demands put forth by Secondary Grade teachers, who teach at government elementary schools. “This strike will see 100 per cent participation from elementary teachers as we will be the most affected,” said R Das, State coordinator of Tamil Nadu Elementary School Teachers Association. They have raised objection to government’s decision to use “surplus” elementary school teachers at the new LKG, UKG classes that were inaugurated on January 21, he said.

A temple where Garuda is worshipped with nine serpents
Thiruppadripulliyur in Cuddalore is home to a small but well-known temple for Vishnu dedicated to Varadaraja Perumal, situated on the south bank of river Gadilam (Garuda Nadi).

Published: 24th January 2019 02:01 AM 

By Chithra Madhavan

Express News Service

Thiruppadripulliyur in Cuddalore is home to a small but well-known temple for Vishnu dedicated to Varadaraja Perumal, situated on the south bank of river Gadilam (Garuda Nadi). This east-facing temple has a small gopuram, on entering which is a mandapa leading to the central sanctum. The main deity is Varadaraja Perumal, a small image, flanked by Goddesses Sridevi to the right and Bhudevi to the left. Perumal holds the Sankha and Chakra in the upper hands while the lower right hand is in the pose of granting protection (abhaya hasta) and lower left hand is on the hip (kati-hasta).

To the right of the gopuram is the sanctum for Rama with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman. Rama worshipped here is so famous that the Varadaraja Perumal temple is referred to as the Rama temple by many. Opposite the Rama shrine, to the left of the gopuram, is a sanctum for Hanuman. In front of the main sanctum is the shrine for Garuda where this vehicle (vahana) of Vishnu is seen in a rare standing posture. The Garuda enshrined in this temple, located near the Garuda Nadi, is a very famous one and this sacred spot is also known as Garuda Sthalam. Nine serpents are seen on this image.

The sanctum for Goddess Lakshmi, worshipped in this temple as Perundevi Thayar, is located in the circumambulatory passage (prakara) to the right of the main shrine and to the left of the central sanctum there is an Andal shrine. The Thirumanjana mandapa (where abhisekam for the deities are performed) is located near the Thayar sanctum and near this mandapa is an image of Vishnu Durga. On the pillars are stucco images of Ashta Lakshmi. The sanctum for the eminent Srivaishnava Acharya (preceptor) Manavala Mamuni is also in this prakara.

From October, direct flights from Chennai to Narita, says Japanese Ambassador

Sanjay VijayakumarSangeetha Kandavel

JANUARY 24, 2019 00:00 IST

New ventures:Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan to India, at the Global Investors Meet 2019 on Wednesday.M. Vedhan

16 companies from the country to sign MoUs with T.N. govt.

Sixteen Japanese companies, including Toshiba Machine Co and Yamaha Music, among others, will sign memoranda of understanding with the Tamil Nadu government, Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan to India, said.

Toshiba Machine would be investing Rs. 200 crore and BBL Daido will be investing Rs. 22 crore, he said.

Japan is also looking to increase air connectivity to India and announced that All Nippon Airways (ANA) will start seven days a week direct flight between Narita and Chennai from October, Mr. Hiramatsu said.

“This new connectivity will pave the way for new business and investment opportunities for Japanese companies,” he said.

“It is hard to ignore the growth potential of Chennai and when the nearby cities of Bangalore and Hyderabad are factored in, the case for expansion becomes overwhelming,” All Nippon Airways general manager India Yasuo Taki said.

“We look forward to offering services to Chennai in the years to come and hope we can play a part in bringing the best of this dynamic city to the world,” Mr. Taki added.

Promoting tourism

Chennai will become the third city in India served by ANA after Delhi and Mumbai.

There are plans to start a full-fledged campaign to promote the tourist flows between Tamil Nadu and Japan with the help of the State government, Mr. Hiramatsu added.

Currently, out of 1,441 Japanese companies operating in India, 201 are present in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu has three industrial townships developed by Japanese companies – OneHub Chennai, Sojitz, Motherson and Sumitomo Mahindra industrial park.

Mr. Hiramatsu said the existing companies were looking to expand, while Japan is looking to diversify into sectors like food processing and services, where new companies would come and invest in the future.

He also expressed satisfaction over the progress of phase 1 of Chennai Metro project, which was funded by Japan.

We hope to play a part in bringing the best of this dynamic city [Chennai] to the world

Yasuo Taki
General Manager India, All Nippon Airways

Passport office cautions public on fake website

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

TIRUCHI, JANUARY 24, 2019 00:00 IST

The Regional Passport Office, Tiruchi, has cautioned the public not to fall prey to a fake website, www.passportonlineindia.com, functions under the pretext of offering various passport facilities by charging exhorbitantly apart from collecting personal information.

Regional Passport Officer, Tiruchi, R. Anand, advised the public to apply only on the official websitehttps://www.passport.india.gov.in.

Dental Science Institute staff protest non-payment of salary

STAFF REPORTER

PUDUCHERRY, JANUARY 24, 2019 00:00 IST

Condemning delay:Teaching and non-teaching staff of Mahatma Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences staging a sit-in protest on the college premises on Wednesday.

T. SingaravelouT_Singaravelou

Protesters say they are put to tremendous mental agony

The strike by the staff, including 40 doctors, of the Mahatma Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Dental Science (MGPGI), to protest against non-payment of salary for the last two months, has entered the third day on Wednesday.

The staff numbering around 200, on Wednesday, abstained from work and staged a protest in front of the college demanding immediate payment of salary.

M. R. Ramesh, President, Faculty Association of MGPGI, said the staff and their family members have been put to tremendous mental agony due to non payment of salary.

The government had not implemented the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations for the staff, though the new pay scale was given to staff of government colleges. The MGPGI was ignored because it was run by a society, he added.

Transport Department plans to introduce rent-a-bike service

Vivek Narayanan

CHENNAI, JANUARY 24, 2019 00:00 IST

Awaits clearance from government to grant licences

In a few months, tourists will not have to book a cab or haggle with an autorickshaw driver to go around the city. The State Transport Department has written to the government seeking permission to start a rent-a-bike service.

“As on date, a total of 11 companies have applied and we are still awaiting clearance from the government,” said a senior official of the department. Once the government gives the green light, the department will grant licences after ensuring the applicant has knowledge of the passenger transport business, necessary facilities for housing, maintenance and repair of vehicles and financial resources for continued maintenance, he said.

Norms for operation

“The applicant will also need to have a certain fleet strength to start the business. Most probably the registration plate will be in yellow colour with black letters on it,” said the official. Once the service is in place, the department is considering legalising bike-taxi services in the State, he added.

Already, there are around 25 small firms giving bikes on rent in the city and most of their customers are tourists. “The service has been there for the past 10 years. However, the government is regularising it now. This will bring more companies into the business and improve tourism revenue,” said an operator.

He said that the rent-a-bike service was regularised only recently in Bengaluru and Kerala. “We take all the necessary documents before giving the bike. Only after verifying credentials do we give the bike,” the operator said.

Yuri, a Russian tourist to Chennai, said that he prefers bikes over other modes of transport. “It helps me move around easily and visit a lot of places,” he said.

Jayalalithaa cannot be termed a convict, rules High Court

Mohamed Imranullah S.

CHENNAI, JANUARY 24, 2019 00:00 IST



Jayalalithaa

Dismisses PIL against construction of a mausoleum

Holding that former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa cannot be termed a convict in the disproportionate assets case, the Madras High Court on Wednesday dismissed a public interest litigation petition filed against the use of public funds to construct a mausoleum for her at the Marina beach in Chennai.

A Division Bench of Justices M. Sathyanarayanan and P. Rajamanickam agreed with Advocate General Vijay Narayan that the Supreme Court had not given any categorical finding of guilt against her in the case in February 2017 and therefore it was a misnomer to claim that she was a convict.

The judges pointed out that a trial court in Bangalore had convicted her and other accused in the case on September 27, 2014 and sentenced them to four years of rigorous imprisonment. However, on appeal, the High Court of Karnataka set aside the conviction as well as sentences on May 11, 2015.

Though the prosecution went on appeal against the acquittal before the Supreme Court, Jayalalithaa died on December 5, 2016. Hence, the apex court on February 14, 2017 convicted the co-accused alone and held that the appeal against the acquittal of the former Chief Minister alone shall stand abated in view of her death.

After extracting the meaning of the term ‘abated’ from law lexicons and referring to a catena of judicial pronouncements on the issue, the Bench, led by Mr. Justice Sathyanarayanan, said: “It is to be remembered at this juncture that the said person already had the benefit of acquittal (by the Karnataka High Court) operating in her favour.”

“In the light of the Supreme Court judgement in B.K. Kapur v/s the State of Tamil Nadu (2001), the stigma of conviction against her got erased/wiped out which has not been set aside by the honourable apex court on merits for the reason that before the orders could be pronounced, she died.”

“Therefore, it cannot be said that Selvi J. Jayalalithaa is a convicted person and as such, there is a stigma attached to her.”

The Bench pointed out that the Supreme Court had also dismissed a review petition as well as a curative petition to recover fine amount of Rs. 100 crore from the properties of all the accused in the case.

No legal hurdle

Since the primordial submission of the present PIL petitioner, M.L. Ravi of Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi, was that public funds should not be used to construct a mausoleum or memorial for a “convict,” the judges said there may not be any legal hurdle in constructing a mausoleum for Jayalalithaa as she was not a convict.

However, doubting the use of tax payer’s money being used to construct memorials and mausoleums, the judges said the State government may take a call or formulate a policy decision, in future, to construct hospitals, schools, colleges and provide basic amenities to the people in honour and memory of great leaders.

Adani, IOCL commit over Rs. 28,000 crore in investments

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, JANUARY 24, 2019 00:00 IST



Karan Adani speaking at GIM 2019.PTI


About Rs. 10,000 crore to go towards expanding port capacity


The Adani Group and the Indian Oil Corporation Limited on Wednesday committed a total investment of over Rs. 28,000 crore in the State, on the inaugural day of the Global Investors Meet (GIM) 2019.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd Chief Executive Officer Karan Adani said the group was planning to invest Rs. 12,000 crore in the State across various projects including logistics, industrial park and city gas distribution.

The major chunk of the investments, about Rs. 10,000 crore, would go towards expanding port capacity. It has plans to make Kattupalli a major multipurpose port with a capacity of 300 million tonnes (MT), which would be more than 12 times its current capacity of 24.65 MT. The remaining would be invested in industrial estates, logistics and city distribution over the next 10 years, he said.

Meanwhile, the IOCL made a commitment to invest about Rs. 16,641 crore on retail outlet network (petrol bunk), petrol oil & lubricant terminals, LPG infrastructure, lube complex, gas distribution and a gas pipeline, among other projects.

Employment generation

According to an official release, the company has signed an MoU with the State government for an investment of Rs. 7941 crore in the next five years, which would generate 9,200 direct jobs and 10,600 indirect jobs. The IOCL would invest Rs. 5,100 crore on its retail outlet network (petrol bunk) expansion and Rs. 1,824 crore for upgrading its storage infrastructure and fuel handling facilities at its petrol oil and lubricant terminals located in Tamil Nadu.

The company also signed a separate MoU with the State government for an investment of Rs. 8,700 core in two mega projects of gas distribution in Tamil Nadu.

The Ennore-Thiruvallur-Bengaluru-Puducherry-Nagapattinam-Madurai-Trichy LNG gas pipeline project would be executed by December 2020 with an investment of Rs. 4,500 crore. Another Rs. 4,200 crore was planned for the City Gas Distribution Project in Salem and Coimbatore. The State cabinet had already cleared investment proposals to the tune of around Rs. 65,000 crore, for which pacts would be signed on Thursday.

Even a deity has to follow rule of law, says High Court

Legal Correspondent

CHENNAI, JANUARY 24, 2019 00:00 IST



Seeks details of encroachments by religious bodies

The Municipal Administration Secretary on Tuesday informed the Madras High Court that he had written a letter to all local bodies on January 8 instructing them to furnish details of temples, mosques and churches built on government properties such as public roads, pavements and water bodies.

Justice S.M. Subramaniam was told that it would take at least four weeks for the government to compile the details as there were 125 municipalities, 12 corporations and 528 town panchayats in the State.

Only the local bodies would be able to provide exact details, the Municipal Administration Secretary told the judge .

Accepting the submission, the judge granted a month’s time for the government to collate the details and produce them before him.

The judge had called for the details early this month while hearing a writ petition which sough to remove a temple for Lord Ganesha reportedly built on the campus of Coimbatore Revenue Divisional Office.

Observing that even God cannot be allowed to encroach upon public lands “with the help of a few land mafias and land grabbers”, the suo motu included the secretaries of Home, Municipal Administration,

Highways as well as Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments departments as respondents to the case and called for comprehensive details.

On legal principle

“If a deity in a temple commits an act of encroachment, that is to be dealt with in accordance with law and just because it is a deity, the rule of law cannot be diluted. “This being the legal principle, this court is of an opinion that India being a democratic, social and secular country, all are bound to follow the rule of law and respect the law for an orderly society,” the judge had said.

Private medical college violates HC order, students send notice

Bosco.Dominique@timesgroup.com

Puducherry:24.01.2019

Eight postgraduate medical students of a medical college run by a deemed university in the Union territory have sent a contempt of court notice to the college chairman for pressurizing to pay fees higher than that stipulated by a committee constituted by the Puducherry government.

The students’ counsel V B R Menon has served the notice dated January 22 to Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (MGMC & RI) chairman M K Rajagopalan and institute dean M Ravishankar. The Madras high court on May 3 last year passed an interim order directing Rajagopalan not to pressurize the students to pay fees over and above that fixed by the committee.

“Even though the writ petition was listed for hearing on various dates thereafter, it had to be adjourned each time due to the inability by the fees committee to fix the annual fees from the academic year 2017-18 onwards because of the legal hurdles created by you (Rajagopalan) through various devious and mischievous means, for which the petitioners are in no way responsible,” Menon said.

He also pointed out that the Madras high court on September 20 had extended the interim order until further orders.

He charged that the college management prevented the eight students from attending the classes from January 21 and the management’s action clearly amounted to ‘pressurizing and coercing’ the students to meet their ‘unjust and illegal’ demands for immediate payments of annual fees of ₹48 lakh, which was arbitrarily fixed by the management.

Menon said the students proposed to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Rajagopalan and Ravishankar for the willful and deliberate disobedience of the court’s order unless the two immediately withdrew their contemptuous actions and allowed the students to the classes and clinics.

There have been widespread complaints of deemed universities charging exorbitant fees (more than ₹45 lakh per annum) for postgraduate medical courses. The institutions have been admitting students with poor National eligibility cum entrance test (Neet) score, who are willing to pay exorbitant fees, overlooking meritorious students with better Neet score who couldn’t afford to pay exorbitant fees.

Return to work before Jan 25, HC tells teachers

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:24.01.2019

Cracking the whip on striking government school teachers, Madras high court has directed them resume work not later than January 25, considering the future of students.

The government school teachers are on strike, along with other government employees under the banner JACTO-GEO, pressing a charter of demands.

Because of the strike several thousand primary and middle schools across the state have remained locked for two days now.

On Wednesday, a division bench of Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice P Rajamanickam issued the interim direction to the teachers on a strike, when a PIL filed by a Class XII student seeking to stall the strike came up for hearing.

He cited the approaching board examinations, and wanted the court to ensure that classes and revision examinations were conducted as per schedule.

When the plea came up for hearing, advocate-general Vijay Narayan submitted that besides elementary school teachers about 39.7% of other teachers had not reported to work. “We are trying to manage the situation with temporary teachers and strong action would be taken against the striking teachers,” he said.

Opposing the plea, advocate NGR Prasad submitted that the teachers and other government employees were pressing their demands for over a year now. Noting that the government failed to consider their demands despite assurances made on the floor of the state assembly, he said: "Strike is a democratic right, resorting to strike is not violence.”

Petitioner's counsel Naveen Kumar Murthi, however, submitted that students had already suffered a lot due to competitive examinations like NEET, and if the strike was allowed it would further worsen the academic situation in the state.

EMPTY DESKS

Govt schools hit hard as strike continues
Private School Teachers Act As Substitutes

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  24.01.2019

On the second day of the indefinite strike by government officials and school teachers, the most affected are the government elementary and middle school students as more than 50% of the schools across the state had poor attendance of teachers. Many schools have sought the help of private school teachers and qualified persons to temporarily conduct classes.

On the second day of their indefinite strike, government employees and school teachers staged road blockades at eight major junctions in the Coimbatore district. More than 2,090 members of the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers Organisations and Government Employees Organisation (Jacto-Geo) were detained by police.

In Tirupur district, a group of parents temporarily appointed two teachers at a government school. Of the 8,734 teachers working in government schools in the district, 6,069 have not turned up in the schools.

In the Tirupur corporation elementary school at Chinniyagoundenpudur, a group of social workers appointed two teachers.

However, M Arunachalam, a parent, told TOI, “We are not against the Jacto-Geo protest, but we do not want our children to suffer due to the protest.”

At a village in Thanjavur, alternative arrangement for teachers were made on Wednesday.

With a strength of 96 students, the government middle school at Thulukka Viduthi has roped in 5 teachers, including retired personnel, to take classes. Since the school was locked in the absence of teachers, classes were conducted on the corridors and under trees on the school premises.

In Trichy, 41% of the teachers did not turn up, according to chief educational officer M Ramakrishnan.

Meanwhile, a total 2,650 teachers were detained in Trichy district, which include 550 teachers in Trichy city, on Wednesday.

In Madurai, more than 1,500 employees of government departments and teachers attached to the Jacto-Geo were arrested for staging protests on Wednesday morning.

Similar protests took place in all the southern districts. There were fewer employees in government offices and schools as many of them turned up to protest, resulting in government services being affected to an extent.

The protest will intensify until the state government holds talks with us, he said, adding that the government should be held responsible for the damage caused.

Jacto-Geo has called for the indefinite strike from Tuesday to press for a ninepoint charter of demands, including scrapping of the complementary pension scheme, payment of 21-month salary arrears under the Seventh Pay Commission and recruiting new teachers for the recently started kindergarten classes in government schools and not transfer middle school teachers.

Members of JACTO-GEO protest in front of Trichy collectorate on Wednesday

Jaya not a convict; cannot prohibit Marina memorial: HC
‘It Is Up To The Govt To Take A Call’
Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:24.01.2019

In a significant first, the Madras high court has clarified that former chief minister J Jayalalithaa could not be considered a ‘convict’ as Karnataka government’s appeal against her acquittal in the corruption case had lapsed even before the Supreme Court could deliver the verdict, in view of her death.

A division bench of Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice P Rajamanickam made the clarification while dismissing a PIL that opposed a state memorial for her on the Marina Promenade, on the ground that she was a ‘convicted person’.

Though a special court convicted her in a corruption case on September 27, 2014, the Karnataka high court reversed it on May 11, 2015. The Karnataka government’s appeal in the Supreme Court against her acquittal had been reserved for orders when Jayalalithaa died on December 5, 2016. Three of her co-accused – VK Sasikala, J Elavarasi and VN Sudhagaran – are, however, serving their terms in a Bengaluru jail at present.

The current issue pertains to a plea moved by advocate ML Ravi to restrain Tamil Nadu from spending public money for construction of a memorial to Jayalalithaa, as she was a ‘convict’.

Dismissing the plea on Wednesday, the bench said: “Jayalalithaa was originally convicted by the trial court for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. On appeal filed by her and another accused, the Karnataka high court set aside the conviction and acquitted them. Challenging the same, Karnataka preferred an appeal in the Apex Court and before the orders could be pronounced Jayalalithaa breathes her last and therefore, the appeal against her came to be dismissed as abated.”

“Since the acquittal has not been set aside, it cannot be said that Jayalalithaa is a convicted person and as such, there is no stigma of conviction attached to her,” the bench added.

As to construction of a memorial, the bench said it had become a practice, rather a norm, to build memorials in honour and memory of former chief ministers and leaders of the country and public money had been spent for that purpose. The justification is that such memorials would remind the public about the contributions made by the leaders towards the development of the state, the bench said.

“It is pertinent to note at this juncture that public money can be spent for construction of hospitals, schools, colleges, implementation of developmental projects and provision of basic facilities/amenities to the citizens, in honour and memory of great leaders and it would be an ever-lasting memory in the mind of the citizens/people. However, it is for the government concerned to take a call and this court cannot issue any positive direction to do so,” the court observed.

PIL TRASHED

GIM opens, now for the workout

Industrial Policy For Defence, Aerospace Aims At 1 Lakh Jobs

D.Govardan@timesgroup.com  24.01.2019

The second edition of the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet (GIM) opened in Chennai on Wednesday, with the government unveiling a state aerospace and defence industrial policy. This, the government said, will attract investment of $5 billion over five years, $10 billion over 10 years, and generate employment for one lakh people in the state.

The policy aims to harness Tamil Nadu’s inherent strengths in automotive manufacturing to explore opportunities in aerospace and defence manufacturing and create a global workforce for high-end manufacturing by establishing centres of excellence, R&D and skill development institutions. It will also seek to attract global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers and Indian majors as anchor units.

The state will adopt a cluster development approach to build the physical infrastructure needed for an aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem. The government, through Tidco/Sipcot, will establish aerospace and defence parks with infrastructure for housing large, medium and small companies. While Sipcot has been mandated to act as the implementing agency for disbursement of various incentives, a single window facilitation mechanism would be put in place to enable SMEs to play a major role as vendors for larger units.

The policy promises to offer flexibility in labour laws, without compromising labour welfare. Special incentives under the ministry of defence will be offered to the units that will also get concession of 30% of the land cost and 100% reimbursement of stamp duty on lease/sale.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman handed over the first copy of the policy to chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami. Appreciating Tamil Nadu for unveiling such a specific policy for aerospace and defence, she invited the global trade community to invest in these sectors in the state. She said the central government would provide all support in this regard.

With Tamil Nadu getting one of the two defence corridors, and with the unveiling of a specific policy, the state could establish itself as a major player. “The defence corridor will connect Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Coimbatore and Trichy as a defence manufacturing hub,” she said.

The policy document stressed that Tamil Nadu was industrially advanced and well known for it diversified industrial base and that it turned out the largest number of skilled manpower in India every year as a pioneer in promoting technical education in the private sector.



Industry should not only spend on R&D, but also on imparting communication skills in other languages, including foreign ones, for Tamil students

Nirmala Sitharaman | DEFENCE MINISTER

HC orders CBI probe against TN minister, MP in job scam

Srikkanth.D@timesgroup.com

Madurai:24.01.2019

The Madurai bench of the Madras high court on Wednesday directed the CBI to probe allegations of corruption against labour minister Nilofer Kafeel and AIADMK member of parliament A Anwhar Raajhaa in the appointment of teaching and non-teaching staff in the MSS Wakf Board College.

Justice P Velmurugan directed the CBI to register a case and file a final report within six months in response to a petition by B Sardar Basha, a general body member of the college.

In his petition, Basha alleged that irregularities to the tune of several crores of rupees had taken place in the appointment of staff by Jamal Mohideen, an AIADMK functionary who served as the secretary of the college, a minority institution.

The petitioner pointed out that Mohideen was removed from the primary membership of the general body and thereby the posts of secretary and correspondent of the college in 2002, over charges including misappropriation of funds.

‘Min turned blind eye to allegations’

However, he was reinstated in 2017 on the recommendation of MP Anwhar Raajhaa, who was chairperson of the wakf board that runs the college. The petitioner alleged that Mohideen had taken money ranging from ₹30- 35 lakh for appointments of assistant professors, some of whom did not even possess requisite qualifications. He also said that the minister and the MP had received shares of the amount from Mohideen and turned a blind eye to the allegations. When the petition came up for hearing, the court directed the CBI to register a case in the matter and pursue investigations. The court directed the state government to extend cooperation to the CBI.

GIM bettered its ₹2Lcr investment target, says EPS

D Govardan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:24.01.2019

The digital pegasus that flew in to shower petals at J Jayalalithaa at the first edition of TN Global Investors Meet in 2015 reappeared at GIM-2019 on Wednesday, this time to pay obeisance to Edappadi K Palaniswami. The deja vu played on as the chief minister announced that the state has exceeded its target of ₹2 lakh crore as investments (last time it was ₹2.4 lakh crore).

“If the response is any indication,” said Palaniswami, “GIM-2019 is not only a grand success, but it will be remembered as a historic event in the annals of industrialization of Tamil Nadu. I hope to make an announcement on the meet’s success and the investments garnered when we meet here tomorrow.” He recollected the contributions of “Amma” and her ‘Vision 2023’. “Tamil Nadu looks to the future with confidence and hope. This is a state that delivers and we are partners in the development of the state and the country,” Palaniswami said. And industry captains nodded. TVS Motors’ CMD Venu Srinivasan said, “We have an unassuming and hardworking CM, who is putting in efforts to make TN the number one state,” he said. Delegates and government representatives said manufacturing sector will have reasons to cheer at the end of the two-day meet.

Union defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who delivered the keynote address and released the state’s aerospace and defence industrial policy, recalled the state’s historical lineage in taking trade and culture overseas.

MRI mfg plant to come up near city

Chennai-based medical equipment manufacturer Trivitron Healthcare has planned to tie up with a Japanese company to manufacture magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment in Sriperumbudur. “This will bring down the cost of the machine, which is currently in the range of ₹4 crore to ₹10 crore, by up to 50%, said company chairman G S K Velu on the sidelines of GIM on Wednesday. P 19

Tamil Nadu has become a power surplus state: Min

She said, “The Cholas established trade relationships with countries like Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Like the CII and Assocham now, the Cholas had established trade associations then.”Highlighting the state’s strengths in education, she said she studied here. Tamil Nadu has become a power surplus state, thereby standing a higher chance in attracting investments. The Centre played the role of a facilitator, she said, laying emphasis on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives to ensure “systemic reforms”.

Tamil Nadu Industries minister M C Sampath said the presence of more than 5,000 delegates from across the world is a testimony that Tamil Nadu is the most attractive investment destination in the country.


Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman with CM Edappadi K Palaniswami, deputy O Panneerselvam and others during the second edition of GIM 2019

மாவட்ட செய்திகள்

சென்னை மருத்துவக்கல்லூரியில் 1969-ம் ஆண்டு படித்த மாணவர்கள் சந்திப்பு கல்லூரி நாட்களை நினைவு கூர்ந்தனர்



சென்னை மருத்துவக்கல்லூரியில் 1969-ம் ஆண்டு படித்த மாணவர்கள் நேற்று சந்தித்தனர். அப்போது கல்லூரி நாட்களை எண்ணி நினைவு கூர்ந்தனர்.

பதிவு: ஜனவரி 21, 2019 03:30 AM
சென்னை,

இந்தியாவின் பழமையான மருத்துவக்கல்லூரிகளில் ஒன்றாகவும், சென்னையின் முக்கியமான அடையாளமாகவும் விளங்குவது சென்னை மருத்துவக்கல்லூரி (எம்.எம்.சி) ஆகும். இங்கு 1969-ம் ஆண்டு படித்த மாணவர்கள் ‘கிளாஸ் ஆப் 69’ என்று ஒரு சங்கத்தை உருவாக்கினர். இந்த சங்கம் உருவாக்கப்பட்டு நேற்றுடன் 50 ஆண்டுகள் கடந்துவிட்டது.

இதையொட்டி ‘கிளாஸ் ஆப் 69’ சங்கத்தின் பொன் விழாவையொட்டி, சென்னை மருத்துவக்கல்லூரி வளாகத்தில் ‘ரெட் பில்டிங்’ கட்டிடத்தில் முன்னாள் மாணவர் சந்திப்பு நிகழ்ச்சி நேற்று நடந்தது. இந்த நிகழ்ச்சியில் பங்கேற்க முன்னாள் மாணவ-மாணவிகள், அவர்களின் கணவன்- மனைவிமார்கள் என 150-க் கும் மேற்பட்டோர் மருத்துவக்கல்லூரி வளாகத்தில் நேற்று திரண்டனர். ஏற்கனவே திட்டமிட்டிருந்தபடி அனைவரும் ஒரே நிற ஆடையிலும், அடையாள அட்டையுடனும் வந்திருந்தனர்.

விழாவுக்கு, ‘கிளாஸ் ஆப் 69’ சங்கத்தின் தலைவர் டாக்டர் ஜே.ராஜேந்திரன் தலைமை தாங்கினார். நிறுவன தலைவர் டாக்டர் கே.ரவி, செயலாளர் டாக்டர் கே.பிரேம்ராஜ், பொருளாளர் டாக்டர் ஆர்.பாலசுப்பிரமணியன் ஆகியோர் முன்னிலை வகித்தனர்.

இந்த விழாவுக்கு 1969-ம் ஆண்டு சென்னை மருத்துவக்கல்லூரியில் பேராசிரியர்களாக பணியாற்றிய டாக்டர்கள் ஜி.ரங்கநாதன், நம்மாழ்வார், ரத்தினசபாபதி, ஸ்ரீராம், நம்பி, சொக்கலிங்கம், கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி, விட்டல் ஆகியோரும் வரவழைக்கப்பட்டிருந்தனர். விழாவில், பேராசிரியர்கள் 8 பேரையும் ‘கிளாஸ் ஆப் 69’ சங்க நிர்வாகிகள் பொன்னாடை அணிவித்தும், நினைவு பரிசு வழங்கியும் கவுரவித்தனர்.

அதனைத்தொடர்ந்து பேராசிரியர்கள் முன்னாள் மாணவர்களுக்கு வாழ்த்து தெரிவித்து பேசினார்கள். கடந்த கால நினைவுகளை எண்ணி எண்ணி அனைவரும் மகிழ்ச்சி அடைந்தனர்.

இதுகுறித்து சென்னை மருத்துவக்கல்லூரி முன்னாள் மாணவியும், இன்றைய கண் மருத்துவ சிகிச்சை நிபுணருமான டாக்டர் ஆர்.பிரேமா கூறுகையில், “முன்னாள் மாணவர் சந்திப்பு என்பது மிகவும் உற்சாகமான தருணம். எங்களுடன் படித்த சிலர் இப்போது உயிருடன் இல்லை என்று நினைக்கும்போது வருத்தமாக உள்ளது. இங்கு வந்தவர்களை பார்க்கும்போது மகிழ்ச்சியாக இருந்தது” என்றார்.

நிகழ்ச்சியின் நிறைவில் அனைவரும் ‘குரூப் போட்டோ’ எடுத்துக்கொண்டனர். முன்னாள் மாணவர்கள் ‘செல்பி’ எடுத்தும் மகிழ்ந்தனர். பின்னர் அனைவரும் பிரியா விடை கொடுத்து அங்கிருந்து சென்றனர்.

மாவட்ட செய்திகள்

சென்னை மருத்துவக்கல்லூரியில் 1969-ம் ஆண்டு படித்த மாணவர்கள் சந்திப்பு கல்லூரி நாட்களை நினைவு கூர்ந்தனர்



சென்னை மருத்துவக்கல்லூரியில் 1969-ம் ஆண்டு படித்த மாணவர்கள் நேற்று சந்தித்தனர். அப்போது கல்லூரி நாட்களை எண்ணி நினைவு கூர்ந்தனர்.

பதிவு: ஜனவரி 21, 2019 03:30 AM
சென்னை,

இந்தியாவின் பழமையான மருத்துவக்கல்லூரிகளில் ஒன்றாகவும், சென்னையின் முக்கியமான அடையாளமாகவும் விளங்குவது சென்னை மருத்துவக்கல்லூரி (எம்.எம்.சி) ஆகும். இங்கு 1969-ம் ஆண்டு படித்த மாணவர்கள் ‘கிளாஸ் ஆப் 69’ என்று ஒரு சங்கத்தை உருவாக்கினர். இந்த சங்கம் உருவாக்கப்பட்டு நேற்றுடன் 50 ஆண்டுகள் கடந்துவிட்டது.


இதையொட்டி ‘கிளாஸ் ஆப் 69’ சங்கத்தின் பொன் விழாவையொட்டி, சென்னை மருத்துவக்கல்லூரி வளாகத்தில் ‘ரெட் பில்டிங்’ கட்டிடத்தில் முன்னாள் மாணவர் சந்திப்பு நிகழ்ச்சி நேற்று நடந்தது. இந்த நிகழ்ச்சியில் பங்கேற்க முன்னாள் மாணவ-மாணவிகள், அவர்களின் கணவன்- மனைவிமார்கள் என 150-க் கும் மேற்பட்டோர் மருத்துவக்கல்லூரி வளாகத்தில் நேற்று திரண்டனர். ஏற்கனவே திட்டமிட்டிருந்தபடி அனைவரும் ஒரே நிற ஆடையிலும், அடையாள அட்டையுடனும் வந்திருந்தனர்.

விழாவுக்கு, ‘கிளாஸ் ஆப் 69’ சங்கத்தின் தலைவர் டாக்டர் ஜே.ராஜேந்திரன் தலைமை தாங்கினார். நிறுவன தலைவர் டாக்டர் கே.ரவி, செயலாளர் டாக்டர் கே.பிரேம்ராஜ், பொருளாளர் டாக்டர் ஆர்.பாலசுப்பிரமணியன் ஆகியோர் முன்னிலை வகித்தனர்.

இந்த விழாவுக்கு 1969-ம் ஆண்டு சென்னை மருத்துவக்கல்லூரியில் பேராசிரியர்களாக பணியாற்றிய டாக்டர்கள் ஜி.ரங்கநாதன், நம்மாழ்வார், ரத்தினசபாபதி, ஸ்ரீராம், நம்பி, சொக்கலிங்கம், கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி, விட்டல் ஆகியோரும் வரவழைக்கப்பட்டிருந்தனர். விழாவில், பேராசிரியர்கள் 8 பேரையும் ‘கிளாஸ் ஆப் 69’ சங்க நிர்வாகிகள் பொன்னாடை அணிவித்தும், நினைவு பரிசு வழங்கியும் கவுரவித்தனர்.

அதனைத்தொடர்ந்து பேராசிரியர்கள் முன்னாள் மாணவர்களுக்கு வாழ்த்து தெரிவித்து பேசினார்கள். கடந்த கால நினைவுகளை எண்ணி எண்ணி அனைவரும் மகிழ்ச்சி அடைந்தனர்.

இதுகுறித்து சென்னை மருத்துவக்கல்லூரி முன்னாள் மாணவியும், இன்றைய கண் மருத்துவ சிகிச்சை நிபுணருமான டாக்டர் ஆர்.பிரேமா கூறுகையில், “முன்னாள் மாணவர் சந்திப்பு என்பது மிகவும் உற்சாகமான தருணம். எங்களுடன் படித்த சிலர் இப்போது உயிருடன் இல்லை என்று நினைக்கும்போது வருத்தமாக உள்ளது. இங்கு வந்தவர்களை பார்க்கும்போது மகிழ்ச்சியாக இருந்தது” என்றார்.

நிகழ்ச்சியின் நிறைவில் அனைவரும் ‘குரூப் போட்டோ’ எடுத்துக்கொண்டனர். முன்னாள் மாணவர்கள் ‘செல்பி’ எடுத்தும் மகிழ்ந்தனர். பின்னர் அனைவரும் பிரியா விடை கொடுத்து அங்கிருந்து சென்றனர்.

தலையங்கம்

பா.ஜ.க.வுக்கு எதிராக அணிதிரளும் எதிர்க்கட்சிகள்



வரும் ஏப்ரல்–மே மாதங்களில் நாடாளுமன்ற தேர்தல்களை காணஇருக்கும் நிலையில், அரசியல் கட்சிகளிடையே இப்போதே ஒரு பரபரப்பு தொடங்கிவிட்டது.

ஜனவரி 22 2019, 03:30

பா.ஜ.க.வுக்கு எதிராக ஓரணியில் நிற்க எதிர்க்கட்சிகள் தயாராகிவிட்டன. கடந்த டிசம்பர் 16–ந்தேதி சென்னையில் கருணாநிதி சிலை திறப்புவிழா நடந்தபோதே இதற்கான அறிகுறிகள் தொடங்கிவிட்டன. அடுத்தகட்டமாக மேற்கு வங்காள முதல்–மந்திரி மம்தா பானர்ஜி ஏற்பாட்டில் கடந்த சனிக்கிழமை மிகப்பெரியளவில் பேரணி மற்றும் பொதுக்கூட்டம் நடந்தது. இந்தக்கூட்டத்தில் தி.மு.க. தலைவர் மு.க.ஸ்டாலின், மதசார்பற்ற ஜனதாகட்சி தலைவரான முன்னாள் பிரதமர் தேவகவுடா, தெலுங்குதேசம் கட்சித்தலைவர் ஆந்திர முதல்–மந்திரி சந்திரபாபுநாயுடு, காங்கிரஸ் கட்சி சார்பில் மல்லிகார்ஜூன்கார்கே, தேசியவாத காங்கிரஸ் தலைவர் சரத்பவார், ஆம் ஆத்மி கட்சி ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளரும் டெல்லி முதல்–மந்திரியுமான அரவிந்த்கெஜ்ரிவால், சமாஜ்வாடி கட்சித்தலைவர் அகிலேஷ்யாதவ், காஷ்மீர் மாநில தேசிய மாநாடு கட்சித்தலைவர் பரூக்அப்துல்லா, பா.ஜ.க. அதிருப்தி தலைவரான சத்ருகன்சின்கா என்று இந்தியா முழுவதிலும் உள்ள 23 கட்சித்தலைவர்கள் இந்தக்கூட்டத்தில் கலந்து கொண்டனர்.

மம்தாபானர்ஜி பேசும்போது, ‘‘நாம் இங்கே ஒன்றாக கூடியிருப்பது முக்கியமல்ல. நமது வேறுபாடுகளை மறந்துவிட்டு, பா.ஜ.க.வை தோற்கடிக்கவேண்டும் என்பதையே இலக்காக கொண்டிருக்கவேண்டும். அடுத்த பிரதமர் யார் என்பதை சிந்திக்கவேண்டிய தருணம் இது அல்ல. அந்தக்கேள்வியே இப்போது எழவில்லை. தேர்தலுக்குப்பிறகு நாம் எல்லோரும் கூடி முடிவு செய்வோம் என்று கூறி, அடுத்த பிரதமர் இவர்தான் என்று கூறுவதை தவிர்க்கவேண்டும்’’ என்பதை சொல்லாமல் சொல்லிவிட்டார். சென்னையில் நடந்த கலைஞர் கருணாநிதி சிலை திறப்புவிழாவில் தி.மு.க. தலைவர் மு.க.ஸ்டாலின், பிரதமர் வேட்பாளராக ராகுல்காந்தியை முன்மொழிந்த நிலையில், இந்தக்கூட்டத்தில் யாருமே அவர்பெயரை முன்மொழியவில்லை. முதுபெரும் தலைவரான தேவேகவுடா எனக்குள்ள கசப்பான அனுபவம் என்னவென்றால், ‘‘மாநிலங்களில் தொகுதிப்பிரிவினை என்பது அவ்வளவு எளிதல்ல. ஒவ்வொரு மாநிலத்திலும் 2, 3 கட்சிகள் இருக்கும் நிலையில், தொகுதிகளை பிரிப்பது என்பது மிகவும் சிரமமான காரியம்’’ என்பதை தெளிவாக சொல்லிவிட்டார். இந்தக்கூட்டத்தில் எல்லாத்தலைவர்களும் ஓரணியில் மேடையில் நின்றாலும், அடுத்து சந்திரபாபுநாயுடு அமராவதியில் நடத்தும் பேரணி மற்றும் கூட்டம், அரவிந்த் கெஜ்ரிவால் டெல்லியில் நடத்தப்போகும் கூட்டம் ஆகியவற்றில்தான் ஒரு இறுதி வடிவம் தெரியும். இந்தமேடையில் ஒன்றாக இருந்தாலும், இன்னும் பல தடைகளை மெகாகூட்டணி சந்திக்கவேண்டிய நிலையில் இருக்கிறது. கொல்கத்தாவில் நடந்த இந்தக்கூட்டத்தில் கம்யூனிஸ்டு கட்சிகள் கலந்துகொள்ளவில்லை.

டெல்லி, அரியானா, பஞ்சாப் மாநிலங்களில் ஆம்ஆத்மி கட்சி, காங்கிரசுடன் கூட்டணி வைக்காது என்று அரவிந்த் கெஜ்ரிவால் சொல்லிவிட்டார். காஷ்மீர் மாநிலத்தில் தேசிய மாநாடு கட்சி தனியாகத்தான் நிற்கும் என்று அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுவிட்டது. உத்தரபிரதேசத்தில் சமாஜ்வாடி கட்சியும், பகுஜன் சமாஜ் கட்சியும் அமைத்துள்ள கூட்டணியில், காங்கிரசுக்கு இடமில்லை என்று கூறிவிட்டார்கள். இவ்வாறு உள்ளநிலையில், முதலில் இதயங்கள் இணையவேண்டும். பிறகு கட்சிகளுக்குள் ஒருங்கிணைப்பு, தொகுதி ஒதுக்கீடு என்ற பல கட்டங்களைத்தாண்டி ஒரு இறுதி ஒற்றுமையை காணவேண்டும். தேர்தல் அறிக்கை தயாரிக்கும்போது மாநில கட்சிகளின் வாக்குறுதிகளையெல்லாம் இணைத்து பொதுவான அறிக்கை தாக்கல் செய்யவேண்டும். இப்படி இன்னும் நிறைய சவால்கள் இந்த மெகா கூட்டணிக்கு முன்பாக இருக்கிறது.

Expecting Rs 2.52 lakh crore GIM investment, says TN government

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedJan 22, 2019, 5:51 am IST

The advocate-general said the state government spends money for holding the GIM.

Tamil Nadu government

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has informed the Madras high court that 2,900 investors have registered online for participating in the Global Investors Meet, scheduled to be held on January 23 and 24, and 260 MoUs are expected to be generated and Rs 2.52 lakh crore is the expected investment from the MoUs.

Advocate-general Vijay Narayan made the submission when the PILs from Cascade Energy Pvt Ltd, a Singapore based company, came up for hearing before a division bench comprising justices M. Sathyanarayanan and P. Rajamanickam.

The advocate-general said the state government spends money for holding the GIM. The purpose of the GIM was to facilitate the meeting between investors from abroad and India, besides public sector companies. In the meeting, the parties meet and enter into MOUs. Similar meetings are conducted in other states. The investment is finalised at the time of signing the contract. The state government has no role to play in ascertaining the genuineness of the investors. The state government’s job was only to facilitate the meeting. “We want to generate employment,” he added.

He said the website for GIM was opened on July 2, 2018 and 900 people have registered through online registration. Six countries viz UK, France, Korea, Japan, Australia and Singapore, were sending their representatives. The government will accommodate them. Private investors have to make their own arrangement for accommodation. 260 MOUs were expected to be generated. `2.52 lakh crore was the expected investment from the MOUs. But how much will eventually come depends on what the investors agree and finalise. The investors very often use their own private land. If they seek land from the government, the government will provide it, he added.

At this juncture, the bench intervened and asked why steps were not being taken to remove encroachments that increase day by day. “Look at the CAG report. You only published it. Instead of providing land, you can remove the encroachment and give the same to the companies,” the bench said.

Earlier, senior counsels S. Prabakaran and P. Wilson, appearing for the petitioner, had submitted that the petitioner was not against holding the meeting. What the petitioner wanted was framing of guidelines by the government to safeguard the interests of investors since the petitioner was allegedly cheated last time. The company in its petition sought to restrain the state government from conducting the GIM until guidelines were framed to safeguard the interest of foreign investors.

After hearing arguments from both sides the bench reserved orders.

Ajinomoto to launch its latest product at GIM

In another related development, a 45-member business delegation from UK will take part in the Global Investors Meet.

Published: 22nd January 2019 05:55 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Ajinomoto India Private Limited, Japanese food processing and seasoning firm, will launch its latest product in Tamil Nadu during the Global Investors Meet, on January 23 and 24, said a release issued by the company.

The product ‘Veg Masala Mix Varuval’, has been created for the Tamil Nadu palate. The managing director of Ajinomoto India, Atsushi Mishuku, along with Govinda Biswas, marketing manager, will be present at the event.

In another related development, a 45-member business delegation from UK will take part in the Global Investors Meet. The team will be headed by Crispin Simon, Trade Commissioner for South Asia, and Jeremy Pilmore-Bedford, British Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai.

Anna University protests: Students irked as VC refuses to change arrear regulations
Students want the varsity to allow them to take up arrear exam in the subsequent semester itself and abolish the credit-based

Published: 22nd January 2019 12:17 PM |

AU students expressed disappointment after the VC)said that the 2017 regulations cannot be repealed (File Photo | Suneesh P Surendran/EPS)
By Express News Service

Engineering students from Anna University on Monday expressed disappointment after MK Surappa, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the varsity said that the 2017 regulations cannot be repealed. The regulation prevents them from taking a failed exam in the subsequent semester itself and allows them only to retake it a year after.

On Friday, hundreds of students from the varsity and affiliated colleges across the State organised the first protest. Responding to the strike, Surappa had promised to deliver a decision by January 28. Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said that the university did not have the authority to tear down the regulations as these were formulated by the University Grants Commission.

"My job is to attend genuine problems of students. Not make changes that will lower the quality of education," he said adding that these complaints come only from colleges that do not perform well. "The good colleges do not have complaints with the regulations. The complaints have come from colleges that are not up to the mark," he said.

Students have placed two demands at the forefront: they want the varsity to allow them to take up arrear exam in the subsequent semester itself and abolish the credit-based arrear system which will limit the number of arrear exams they can take to two or three. Even as the practice of allowing students to write arrear exams in the subsequent semester followed in other varsities like the University of Madras, officials from Anna University said a credit-based arrear system will help students fare better in academics, said J Kumar, the registrar of the varsity.

"Students argue that the current system forces them to waste a whole year before seeking employment or applying for higher education if they fail in the last semester," he added.VC refuses to change 2017 regulations

(This article was originally published in Edexlive)

No interim stay on amendment of Constitution for 10 per cent quota: Madras High Court

DMK senior counsel submitted that reservation is not a poverty alleviation programme but a social justice meant to uplift the communities, which had not had access to education or employment.

Published: 22nd January 2019 05:15 AM


Madras High Court (File | EPS)

By Siva Sekaran

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The third bench of the Madras High Court on Monday refused to stay the operation of the 103rd amendment effected to the Constitution, which paved the way for 10 per cent reservation to the economically weaker section under the general category.

When the PIL petition from DMK organising secretary and Rajya Sabha member R S Bharathy came up on Monday, the bench of Justices S Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad, which declined to pass any interim order, ordered notice to the governments at the Centre and the State, returnable by February 18, instead.

DMK senior counsel P Wilson submitted that reservation is not a poverty alleviation programme but a social justice meant to uplift the communities, which had not had access to education or employment for centuries.

Additional Solicitor General G Rajagopalan argued that DMK is ideologically against certain communities and only to push its personal agenda, is opposing the economic reservation. The petition is not public interest-oriented. “Bharathy, who could not oppose the amendment in one constitutional forum -- Parliament, is now trying to misuse another constitutional forum -- High Court -- to push its agenda,” he alleged.

The bench intervened to say that it could not be termed as a political interest litigation.“The Constitution talks about SC, ST, BC, MBC and other communities. Who could be persons falling under the other communities?” the bench asked. The AAG replied that the communities, which do not fall under the reservation radar, are the other communities.

On his part, Wilson pointed out to the bench that it is only the Union government, which is opposing the case politically. Essentially, the exception to the equality clause is available only to the communities, which were ostracized for centuries in the matters of education and employment. Economic criteria has been, however, used as a filter to exclude the creamy layer and the persons belonging to the backward classes, who are economically advanced. Hence, application of economic criteria is not contemplated as an exception to the rule of equality and consequently to provide reservation solely on economic criteria.

It offended the basic structure of the Constitution. “It’s well settled that the ceiling limit of 50 per cent in reservation is also part of the basic structure and the same had been asserted by the Supreme Court in several judgments. However, in Tamil Nadu, the ceiling limit is 69 per cent due to the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of appointments or posts in the Services under the State) Act, 1993 which is included in the IX Schedule.

Hence, the reservation cannot be beyond 69 per cent in Tamil Nadu. The recent amendment would enable the government to raise the reservation up to 79 per cent, which is unconstitutional, Wilson added.

2017 arrear rules cannot be repealed: Anna University Vice Chancellor

Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said that the university did not have the authority to tear down the regulations as these were formulated by the University Grants Commission.

Published: 22nd January 2019 05:57 AM |


Around 100 students participated outside Vellore Collectorate in the statewide protest against Anna University's new rules regarding exams and arrears. 

(Photo | EPS)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Engineering students from Anna University on Monday expressed disappointment after MK Surappa, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the varsity, said that the 2017 regulations cannot be repealed. The regulation prevents them from taking a failed exam in the subsequent semester itself and allows them only to retake it a year after.

On Friday, hundreds of students from the varsity and affiliated colleges across the State, organised the first protest. Responding to the strike, Surappa had promised to deliver a decision by January 28.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said that the university did not have the authority to tear down the regulations as these were formulated by the University Grants Commission.

“My job is to attend to genuine problems of students. Not make changes that will lower the quality of education,” he said, adding that these complaints come only from colleges that do not perform well. “The good colleges do not have complaints with the regulations. The complaints have come from colleges that are not up to the mark,” he said.

Students have placed two demands at the forefront: they want the varsity to allow them to take up arrear exams in the subsequent semester itself and abolish the credit-based arrear system which will limit the number of arrear exams they can take to two or three.

Even as the practice of allowing students write arrear exams in the subsequent semester is followed in other varsities like University of Madras, officials from Anna University said a credit-based arrear system will help students fare better in academics. J Kumar, Registrar of the varsity, said, “Students argue that the current system forces them to waste a whole year before seeking employment or applying for higher education, if they fail in the last semester.”

Empower senior citizens with technology

Empowerji is a multilingual learning app for senior citizens which is focused on guiding senior citizens with the latest technology to use applications in the digital age.

Published: 21st January 2019 02:43 AM

By Karthik KK

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Empowerji is a multilingual learning app for senior citizens which is focused on guiding senior citizens with the latest technology to use applications in the digital age.The app is designed by keeping seniors in mind and uses the audio-visual medium to simplify the use of mobile apps, sites, and other techs.Launched in December 2018, Empowerji is based on a ‘freemium’ model with a subscription service, and is free for most of the tech learning content.

Sharing the reason behind coming up with this distinctive start-up Aparna Thakker, CEO and founder of Empowerji, said, “Empowerji is inspired by firsthand experiences from people close to me. The convenience that technology brings is undeniable, but I observed that senior citizens shied away from using it. For most of the senior population, using apps, sites, and devices does not come naturally. And because of this, though there are easier tech alternatives to doing things, seniors continue to do things the old tedious way. I thought that if there was someone to simplify technology to seniors, it may not be daunting for them to adopt it in their daily life. That is why I founded Empowerji which literally means empowering the ji’s (auntyji’s and uncleji’s) in our lives.”

“Since senior citizens need repeated help to master new tech processes, we created Empowerji app which teaches them how to use tech in video form which they can play anytime anywhere. The app is aiming at bridging the gap between seniors and technology so that they can live happier independent lives,” says Aparna, an MBA graduate from Welingkar Institute of Management in Mumbai.

In its current form, the application is free and available in Hindi, English, Marathi, and Gujarati. On every screen, there is voice guidance option explaining what the user can do with the screen and also a video demo of how to use the Empowerji app. The app uses short videos to explain how other mobile apps, sites or devices are to be used.

Offline activities are also being conducted by the team to reach seniors. They have conducted tech workshops to teach seniors how to use apps and sites.Revealing the challenges faced while establishing this start-up, Aparna said, “Though I knew what I wanted the application to do, designing the look and feel of the app for a senior audience was not easy and took some iterations. In fact, we still continue to act on user feedback to improve the usability of it. There are no good resources for designing apps for the 50 plus age group. We have struggled with coming up with an intuitive user interface for seniors. We will continue to take feedback from our users and iterate our design and services,” she said, adding, “Very soon we will be launching paid services for our users. We are looking for brand partnerships as well.”

Sharing her advice to start-up aspirants, Aparna says, “I strongly believe that having a great idea will only get you started. The most important aspect of a start-up journey is execution. It is also valuable to associate with an experienced mentor who believes in your vision and can guide you.

Reminiscing the Summer of ‘69 at Madras Medical College

Organisers said nearly 230 people were part of the celebrations with 150 alumni and 80 family members.

Published: 21st January 2019 02:38 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: It was a day of laughter and love, reminiscing and reliving at the Madras Medical College as students of the 1969 batch walked through the portals of the college as distinguished alumni to celebrate 50 years since they began their journey in medicine.

Dressed in the college colours, all the men wore crisp maroon shirts while the women sported saris. Amid cheering, hooting, cackling and constant chatter, professors and batchmates were honoured for their contribution to the field.

“I got in touch with the group in 2017 and have not stopped talking to them since,” said S Udayashankar, a psychiatrist from Toronto. “I feel young being with all of them. It takes me back to the time I joined college and I’m so proud of this institution. Each one of my batchmates is a gem and is doing such great work.”

There were a number of people who had flown down to the city from the USA, Canada and the UK to be part of the week-long celebration. Organisers said nearly 230 people were part of the celebrations with 150 alumni and 80 family members.

The group has been meeting once a year in India in addition to planning trips to various destinations across the world.

“I feel young because they all look old,” Dr B Bhaskar Raju, retired professor of Pediatric Gastro Enterology at Madras Medical College, chuckled. “Many of us are visiting the college after many years. We are all going to go to the Anatomy block that we call the ‘Red Fort’ and take a tour of the new college. And on Monday, about 150 of us are travelling to Sri Lanka on holiday.”

The group has been meeting once a year in India in addition to planning trips to various destinations across the world. To commemorate 40 years since they joined medical school, the alumni contributed towards an e-library in the college. This year they look to illuminate the ‘Red Fort’ with facade lighting.

“The college has really grown and I don’t recognise any of the buildings apart from the statue in front. I am seeing many of my classmates after 45 years. I couldn’t recognise so many of them, especially the boys because many of them have lost hair!” said Dr Shantha Swaminathan, who practices internal medicine and geriatric and hospice in the US.

One of the reasons the batch has managed to keep the unity even after graduating is because of the lack of jealousy, said Dr Prema R, an eye specialist at Westminster Health Care in the city.“What happens often is that some people do very well while others get left behind,” she said. “It is different with our batch because everybody has made it big in their chosen specialities and there is no jealousy. It is so great to be back here after so many years. Fifty years ago when we joined college, none of us thought we would be together like this.”

Reminiscing the Summer of ‘69 at Madras Medical College

Organisers said nearly 230 people were part of the celebrations with 150 alumni and 80 family members.

Published: 21st January 2019 02:38 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: It was a day of laughter and love, reminiscing and reliving at the Madras Medical College as students of the 1969 batch walked through the portals of the college as distinguished alumni to celebrate 50 years since they began their journey in medicine.

Dressed in the college colours, all the men wore crisp maroon shirts while the women sported saris. Amid cheering, hooting, cackling and constant chatter, professors and batchmates were honoured for their contribution to the field.

“I got in touch with the group in 2017 and have not stopped talking to them since,” said S Udayashankar, a psychiatrist from Toronto. “I feel young being with all of them. It takes me back to the time I joined college and I’m so proud of this institution. Each one of my batchmates is a gem and is doing such great work.”

There were a number of people who had flown down to the city from the USA, Canada and the UK to be part of the week-long celebration. Organisers said nearly 230 people were part of the celebrations with 150 alumni and 80 family members.

The group has been meeting once a year in India in addition to planning trips to various destinations across the world.

“I feel young because they all look old,” Dr B Bhaskar Raju, retired professor of Pediatric Gastro Enterology at Madras Medical College, chuckled. “Many of us are visiting the college after many years. We are all going to go to the Anatomy block that we call the ‘Red Fort’ and take a tour of the new college. And on Monday, about 150 of us are travelling to Sri Lanka on holiday.”

The group has been meeting once a year in India in addition to planning trips to various destinations across the world. To commemorate 40 years since they joined medical school, the alumni contributed towards an e-library in the college. This year they look to illuminate the ‘Red Fort’ with facade lighting.

“The college has really grown and I don’t recognise any of the buildings apart from the statue in front. I am seeing many of my classmates after 45 years. I couldn’t recognise so many of them, especially the boys because many of them have lost hair!” said Dr Shantha Swaminathan, who practices internal medicine and geriatric and hospice in the US.

One of the reasons the batch has managed to keep the unity even after graduating is because of the lack of jealousy, said Dr Prema R, an eye specialist at Westminster Health Care in the city.“What happens often is that some people do very well while others get left behind,” she said. “It is different with our batch because everybody has made it big in their chosen specialities and there is no jealousy. It is so great to be back here after so many years. Fifty years ago when we joined college, none of us thought we would be together like this.”

Reminiscing the Summer of ‘69 at Madras Medical College

Organisers said nearly 230 people were part of the celebrations with 150 alumni and 80 family members.

Published: 21st January 2019 02:38 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: It was a day of laughter and love, reminiscing and reliving at the Madras Medical College as students of the 1969 batch walked through the portals of the college as distinguished alumni to celebrate 50 years since they began their journey in medicine.

Dressed in the college colours, all the men wore crisp maroon shirts while the women sported saris. Amid cheering, hooting, cackling and constant chatter, professors and batchmates were honoured for their contribution to the field.

“I got in touch with the group in 2017 and have not stopped talking to them since,” said S Udayashankar, a psychiatrist from Toronto. “I feel young being with all of them. It takes me back to the time I joined college and I’m so proud of this institution. Each one of my batchmates is a gem and is doing such great work.”

There were a number of people who had flown down to the city from the USA, Canada and the UK to be part of the week-long celebration. Organisers said nearly 230 people were part of the celebrations with 150 alumni and 80 family members.

The group has been meeting once a year in India in addition to planning trips to various destinations across the world.

“I feel young because they all look old,” Dr B Bhaskar Raju, retired professor of Pediatric Gastro Enterology at Madras Medical College, chuckled. “Many of us are visiting the college after many years. We are all going to go to the Anatomy block that we call the ‘Red Fort’ and take a tour of the new college. And on Monday, about 150 of us are travelling to Sri Lanka on holiday.”

The group has been meeting once a year in India in addition to planning trips to various destinations across the world. To commemorate 40 years since they joined medical school, the alumni contributed towards an e-library in the college. This year they look to illuminate the ‘Red Fort’ with facade lighting.

“The college has really grown and I don’t recognise any of the buildings apart from the statue in front. I am seeing many of my classmates after 45 years. I couldn’t recognise so many of them, especially the boys because many of them have lost hair!” said Dr Shantha Swaminathan, who practices internal medicine and geriatric and hospice in the US.

One of the reasons the batch has managed to keep the unity even after graduating is because of the lack of jealousy, said Dr Prema R, an eye specialist at Westminster Health Care in the city.“What happens often is that some people do very well while others get left behind,” she said. “It is different with our batch because everybody has made it big in their chosen specialities and there is no jealousy. It is so great to be back here after so many years. Fifty years ago when we joined college, none of us thought we would be together like this.”

Chennai-based bank fined Rs 15,000 for wrongful debiting from customer’s account

Though the petitioner had no LIC policy in her name, Rs 510 was debited from her account due to a mix-up in account numbers by the bank.

Published: 21st January 2019 03:09 AM |

For representational purposes (File | Reuters)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: For wrongly debiting money from a customer’s savings account, a consumer forum ordered a nationalised bank here to pay a compensation of Rs 15,000 to the customer. Though the petitioner had no LIC policy in her name, Rs 510 was debited from her account due to a mix-up in account numbers by the bank.

The matter dates back to October 2016 when S Gomathi, of Mugalivakkam, found Rs 1,734 debited from her account as payment for an LIC policy that she never had. After complaining to the bank authorities, she came to know that instead of debiting LIC policy premium from one Rajkumar’s account, the bank had wrongly taken it from hers. The bank officials, who mixed up both account numbers, credited the wrongly debited money back to Gomathi’s account.

In February, 2017, the error occurred again and Rs 510 was wrongly debited from the account and was later credited to her account in December 2017. “The bank failed to check the names of both account-holders before debiting the money. It was a careless error on their part which hasn’t been rectified even after I alerted them,” said Gomathi in her petition.

Though the bank admitted that money had been wrongly debited from Gomathi’s account, they said, “Once we came to know about the problem, a mail was sent from the Porur branch to the head office. It came to our notice that the LIC had wrongly noted down the account numbers and had filled out all forms. Hence the mistake lies with the LIC and the account-holder Rajkumar.”

The Thiruvallur District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum observed that the bank has been negligent as the MICR code and account-holder’s name were not verified before submitting relevant documents.

Kanaka Durga, who entered Sabarimala temple, disowned by in-laws, brother

The woman activist has been lodged in 'One Stop Centre', a government-run shelter home at Perinthalmanna.

Published: 22nd January 2019 07:47 PM 

Earlier, Supreme Court had ordered full time security to Kanaka Durga and Bindu. (Photo | AFP)

By Express News Service

MALAPPURAM: Kanaka Durga, who was in the news recently for her daring entry into the Sabarimala shrine and later came under attack by her in-laws, has been driven out of her home.

The woman activist has been lodged in 'One Stop Centre', a government-run shelter home at Perinthalmanna.

She was forced to stay at the home after her brother Bharat also disowned her and told her she would not be allowed to enter his house at Areekode. She must tender an apology to the devotees of Lord Ayyappa and the Hindu community if she wants to return, said Bharat.

Kanaka Durga approached Perinthalmanna police after she was discharged from Kozhikode Government Medical College where she underwent treatment for the last few days. She was hospitalised on January 15 after she was allegedly beaten by her mother-in-law. She suffered injuries on her head and ear. The police, however, managed to take her to the nearby One Stop Centre.

Perinthalmanna Circle Inspector T S Binu said she had been given adequate security. Led by Perinthalmanna sub-inspector P S Manjith Lal, a 10-member police team has been deployed at the locality.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had ordered full-time security to Kanaka Durga and Bindu. After she came under attack by her mother-in-law, Kanaka Durga's brother Bharat Bhooshan too had turned against her.

It was in the first week of January that Kanaka Durga, along with Bindu, managed to enter the hill temple. She left home in the second week of December to attend a meeting at Thiruvananthapuram. But, on December 24, she attempted to visit Sabarimala along with Koyilandy native Bindu. But they were forced to abandon their trip due to strong protests from a section of devotees at Pamba and Sannidhanam. The family of Kanakadurga was not aware of her plan to visit the hill shrine.

State government yet to take a call on 10% reservation

Tanu Kulkarni

BENGALURU, JANUARY 22, 2019 00:00 IST

Centre wants it implemented in all colleges and universities, including private ones, from the 2019-20 academic year

The State government is yet to take a call on the 10% reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS) in the general category.

While Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar had stated that this would be implemented in all colleges and universities, including private ones, from the 2019-20 academic year, the State government will have to decide quickly as there is a little over four months for commencement of the next academic year.

B.H. Anil Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Higher Education said that the department had received the order from the Centre and would examine the matter.

To obtain a seat under the EWS quota, the gross annual income of the household should be less than Rs. 8 lakh. An official in the department pointed out that implementing the quota, which is entirely based on economic grounds, was a challenge due to fake income certificates.

The central government had also stated that for the 2019-2020 academic year, the SC, ST and OBC reservation would be intact, and this would be achieved by increasing the number of seats by 25%.

However, officials of the department are sceptical as the number of seats cannot be enhanced in many institutions as they do not have the necessary infrastructure.

“Enhancing the seats by 25% means we will need infrastructure and will also need more teachers. We have to examine if this is feasible, and take a call on whether we want to adopt it or not,” an official said.

A senior official of a State-run university lashed out at the move, terming it as an exercise being done in a hurry ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

“How can you call a family with a monthly income of Rs. 60,000 as economically weak? We are certain that this will not stand the test of law,” the official added.