It will be the rule of the Kazhagam in 2021: EPS

It will be the rule of the Kazhagam in 2021: EPS

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Madurai:05.12.2020

The BJP is yet to formally confirm that electoral ties with the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu would continue for the forthcoming assembly election. But chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday not only indicated his party’s keenness to cement the pact for the 2021 assembly election as well but also asserted his party’s seniority in the alliance.

When reporters in Madurai asked the CM about BJP leaders’ recent statements claiming they would come to power in 2026, he said, “I declared with Amit Shah beside me that it would be the rule of the Kazhagam (AIADMK) in 2021, we do not know who will be there or what will happen in 2026.’’ As for Rajinikanth’s political plans, Palaniswami said he would prefer to wait for the actor to launch his party before offering any comments. “I will comment on actor Rajinikanth’s move to launch a political party after he registers it. Any comments about it made by the deputy chief minister are his own,’’ he told reporters in response to questions in Sivaganga.

The CM was briefing reporters after completing his review of the Covid-19 situation in the district. Asked about DMK leader A Raja’s challenge to debate with him on who was more corrupt, the CM said Raja was convicted and imprisoned for corruption, that too when DMK’s ally, the Congress, was in power at the Centre. “It did not happen when the BJP came to power, we will wait for the appeal in the 2G case,” he said.

It was a case of corruption in tenders wherein they were given to people of their choice without following any rule. But in Tamil Nadu now, all tenders are transparent and anyone can register their names online, he said, adding that DMK president M K Stalin was aware of these facts but still making false allegations.

The CM also said the recommendations to bring seven communities under the common name of Devendrakula Vellalar would be made to the central government. This was a long-pending demand of these seven communities. A committee was constituted to study the demand on March 4, 2019.

CM lays stone for Madurai drinking water project

Madurai: Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday laid the foundation stone for a ₹1,296crore project to bring drinking water through pipelines directly from Mullaperiyar dam to Madurai city. When completed by 2023, all 100 wards of the city corporation would have water supply 24x7, he said. TNN

Unease in AIADMK over BJP’s aloofness on alliance

Unease in AIADMK over BJP’s aloofness on alliance

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:05.12.2020

With actor Rajinikanth announcing the launch of his party in January, a section in the ruling AIADMK appears jittery about BJP’s “reluctance” to formally cement poll ties with the Dravidian major for the 2021 assembly election. This, notwithstanding the assertion by the party leadership, chief minister and AIADMK joint coordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami and deputy CM and party coordinator O Panneerselvam at a government event in Chennai recently that the party’s alliance with the BJP would continue for the 2021assembly poll.

“With Rajinikanth announcing a party, we suspect the game plan of the BJP is to ditch the AIADMK and in the process split the party to get a chunk of leaders to their side, and our allies,” said a senior leader, seeking anonymity. “They may go to any extent, even freezing the two leaves symbol if we do not fall in line,” said the leader. After a bitter power struggle in October, Panneerselvam had agreed to Palaniswami being made the chief ministerial candidate, and the CM agreed to the constitution of the steering committee.

The AIADMK, which is gearing up for its golden jubilee celebrations, is hoping to assert its ‘supremacy’ in the alliance, if it sustained. “Rajinikanth is not equivalent to MGR or Amma. His popularity should not be taken seriously. The BJP should not think otherwise,” said another senior AIADMK leader. But the actor’s entry into politics has dramatically altered the AIADMK-BJP dynamics.

BJP leaders in private say that the party was banking on the popularity of the AIADMK’s two leaves, but there was a possibility of “a change” in the event of the party dumping its ally and forging an alliance with actor Rajinikanth. On Thursday, the actor stated the time had come to change the fate of Tamil Nadu, change of politics and change of government.

“We may join hands with the actor. It all depends on how Rajini wants to keep the show going. A clarity will emerge soon,” said a senior BJP leader.

Meanwhile, former AIADMK MP K C Palanisamy, whose petition in the Delhi high court on two leaves symbol is coming up for hearing on December 18, said tough times were ahead for the ruling AIADMK in the coming weeks. The petition also challenged the amendment to party bylaws, creation of posts and doing away the post of general secretary.

CRACKS EMERGE: The AIADMK, which is gearing up for its golden jubilee celebrations, is hoping to assert its ‘supremacy’ in the alliance, if it sustained

Flights at Chennai airport can now use defence airspace, save time, fuel

Flights at Chennai airport can now use defence airspace, save time, fuel

Oppili.P@timesgroup.com

Chennai:05.12.2020

Flying in and out of the city will now be hassle-free for pilots and help airlines save fuel and time as Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the defence ministry have set up a mechanism to use defence airspace for commercial flights.

Until now, at Chennai airport, part of the airspace was controlled by the Indian Air Force (IAF) station at Tambaram and INS Rajali in Arakkonam, where civilian aircraft were usually not allowed.

On Wednesday, as part of a national initiative under National High-Level Airspace Policy Body (NHLAPB) to promote flexi use of airspace; the AAI established at Chennai airport a Regional Airspace Management Cell (RAMC) comprising AAI and defence air traffic controllers.

It will be operational on a 12-hour basis on all working days except for public holidays, said an AAI official.

The quick coordination will result in dynamic flight planning for airline operators, reduced fuel consumption and operating cost, with consequent reduction in carbon footprint, he said. It will help the airport manage air congestion efficiently, with flights not requiring to take detours to avoid defence airspace.

AAI had planned to implement flexi use of airspace on a dozen domestic routes to help reduce travelling distance ranging from five nautical miles to 98 nautical miles. Similarly, the travelling time for passengers will also come down by up to 15 minutes, said the official.

A National Airspace Management Cell (NAMC) was set up in Delhi some time ago with a plan to have many RAMCs. The cell in Chennai is the second regional cell after the NAMC and RAMC in Delhi.

It was inaugurated by R Madhavan, regional executive director, southern region, AAI, in the presence of senior officials from AAI, IAF and other civil and military agencies.

Anna varsity to conduct arrear exams after direction from HC

Anna varsity to conduct arrear exams after direction from HC

Opens Portal For Students To Register

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:05.12.2020

Following a Madras high court direction, Anna University has decided to conduct arrear exams with semester exams for its students. It also opened its web portal for students to register for arrear exams.

After hearing a batch of petitions challenging the government order cancelling arrears exams, the Madras high court restrained universities from declaring all pass without conducting the tests.

While most universities implemented the GO, Anna University, which had not taken any decision, will hold arrear exams in online mode. “The registration of students in the current semester has already been completed. Similarly, the registration for the arrear courses is to be carried out by colleges for November/December examinations. The web portal is open and colleges are requested to complete the registration on or before December 10," a circular from controller of examinations said.

The university plans to conduct a 60-minute proctored online test for all students for upcoming semester exams following the government’s nod.

Across the state, there are more than 5 lakh students with arrears ranging from one paper to 66 papers including 30,000 students at the university’s four campuses including College of Engineering, Guindy (CEG) and Madras Institute of Technology (MIT), Chromepet.

It was estimated that an additional two lakh students would have graduated from Anna University this year had the GO been implemented.

Some principals have asked the university to give an extra opportunity for students to clear arrears. “Barring those in the final year, all students have been promoted, with the former having appeared for the exams in September for the April/ May semester. However, students with arrears are getting only one chance this year. The university should give them an additional chance,” said B Chidambararajan, principal of SRM Valliammai Engineering College.

“As per the court order, all state universities should conduct arrear exams for students and declare results. Other state universities also should conduct arrear exams without any delay,” Anna University former vice-chancellor E Balagurusamy said.

Vaikunta Ekadasi: Strict measures in place at Srirangam temple

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Trichy:05.12.2020

The Trichy district administration has suggested the Srirangam Arulmigu Ranganathaswamy Temple administration opt for token system and online booking to allow darshan for the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival scheduled from December 14. With Covid-19 still active in the region, restrictions such as physical distancing and promoting edarshan through live streaming were suggested.

District collector S Sivarasu, on Thursday, conducted a review meeting involving all the stakeholders. The temple management was instructed to print passes in different colours, each allowing darshan for a one-hour time slot. The pass system is intended to minimise the footfall of devotees. Devotees will not be allowed inside the temple after 8pm.

Directions to apply online for reserving passes will be publicised by the temple management a week before the festival. Senior citizens aged above 65 years and those with comorbidities will not be allowed. The temple management has been instructed to facilitate shelters with seating arrangements outside the temple for devotees waiting for their turns. “People without face masks will not be allowed inside the temple and screening and hand sanitisation are must at the entrance. Floors and temple corridors will be frequently sanitised,” an official said.

HR&CE officials said, this year the 22 day-long annual festival will conclude on January 4, 2021, with Nammalvar Motcham. The most auspicious event involving the opening of Paramapathavasal gates will be held in the early hours of December 25.

Burevi dissipates, but Chennai may get more rain today

RAIN SURPLUS

Burevi dissipates, but Chennai may get more rain today

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:05.12.2020

The city and its suburbs which have an excess of 37% rainfall so far this northeast monsoon season are likely to get more showers on Saturday from the rain bands of the system near Ramanathapuram.

On Friday evening, the system had weakened into a depression. Weathermen said the convective cloud bands scattered over the state after Cyclone Burevi weakened will bring rainfall to northern and western districts of Tamil Nadu on Saturday.

For the next 48 hours, the scattered cloud bands from the system are likely to bring thunderstorms with moderate rain and occasional heavy spells with generally overcast weather over the city and suburbs.

On Friday evening, Cyclone Burevi which had weakened into a deep depression further weakened into a depression at 5.30pm while staying at around 40km southwest of Ramanathapuram the whole of Friday. IMD officials said the system is likely to further weaken and move to south Kerala by Saturday evening. But the cloud bands from the storm, which moved over central and northern parts of the state due to land friction, bringing heavy spells on Thursday will continue to bring rain on Saturday too.

N Puviarasan, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, IMD said the system had remained stationary near Ramanathapuram district for many hours as it had weakened and did not have strong winds around it required to move it. Further, two anticyclones nearby also stalled the weather system. Anticyclones have winds circling in the counterclockwise direction (winds of a cyclone circle clockwise) around a high atmospheric pressure region can leave opposing winds stopping the system from moving further.

Weather blogger Pradeep John said, “After Saturday, the city may still get some spells due to easterlies till December

6. From December 8 to17, there may be a break from monsoon spells.”

PM: 1st vaccine doses may be available in a matter of weeks

PM: 1st vaccine doses may be available in a matter of weeks

Urges Oppn To Help Dispel Rumours

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:05.12.2020

Going by expert opinion, India will not have to wait for a vaccine against Covid-19 for long and the first shots could be available in a matter of weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told an allparty meeting called on Friday to discuss the pandemic situation.

The PM said the pricing of the vaccine would be finalised keeping public health interests in mind and after deliberations with state governments. He urged political leaders attending the meeting to dispel rumours about the vaccine and said unfounded claims would hurt the fight against the virus. His reference seemed to be the recent controversy over an adverse event during a vaccine trial and concerns over “vaccine hesitancy” in the wider public.

“Rollout of the vaccine will begin as soon as scientists wave the green flag,” Modi said.

Govt may classify severity of ailments

The government is considering a separate classification to assess the severity of co-morbid conditions for people below 50 to qualify for the priority inoculation list. People with a mild kidney ailment or moderately high BP may not be considered in the first phase.

Cong, Sena demand free shots for people

While Congress and Shiv Sena demanded that the vaccine be provided free to large sections of people, the point of view of the former was articulated outside the all-party meet by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who wasn’t able to speak during the deliberations.

Eight vaccines currently being developed in India, says PM

He added that there were eight vaccines being developed that would be manufactured in India and referred to three home-grown initiatives. He expressed confidence that progress on the vaccine front had strengthened India’s fight against the disease but emphasised that given the resurgence of Covid-19 in parts of the world, the need to use masks and observe hygiene would remain.

He broadly confirmed reports on India’s prioritisation plan for the vaccine, saying health and frontline workers and elderly people who are vulnerable to the virus would receive the shots first. He said India’s policies were shaped by scientific and expert advice and this had yielded good results in terms of disease control, treatment and lower mortalities. This will continue to be the case, he added.

Modi said the Centre and state teams were working in close coordination on vaccine strategy. “India has vaccine distribution expertise and capacity. We are far better than several other countries in this regard. We have a vast and experienced vaccination network and the country will capitalise on these advantages,” he added.

The PM said some additional cold chain equipment and other logistics would be required, which would be evaluated with the help of state governments.