Mid-day meal scheme can be spiced up The Union Human Resource Ministry appreciated the Tamil Nadu Government s nutritious mid-day meal scheme for children. The Ministry which reviewed the programme in the State recently, has suggested that the menu could be spruced up by adding grains such as millets and ragi. The Ministry said that it can be boring for children to have rice and sambar every day. The Central team, which is touring various States to review the system of fund flow, payment of cost of food grains and infrastructure at noon meal centres, among others, visited three districts Namakkal, Krishnagiri and Vellore. The team had several meetings in Chennai. Lauding the sachem, the Ministry said that the other States could learn from Tamil Nadu. The current menu includes white rice, vegetable sambar, and boiled egg served all five working days of the week. On Friday potato are also included in the menu. - 1 -
Tender floated again for monorail in Chennai Tamil Nadu government took a decision to refloat the render for the construction of a 111-km-long monorail network in Chennai. Citing limited number of participants, which might jeopardize the competitive nature of the financial bidding, the government resorted to restarting the process from scratch. Though over 10 entities attended the pre-bid meeting, only three, L&T 0 Hitachi and firms from Malaysia and the United Kingdom cleared the technical criteria set by the government. There are also only a handful of monorail operators around the world, of which only Hitachi and Bombraider have experience operating a monorail line for a significant length of time. Raise south Indian films to world standards TN Governor Governor Mr. K. Rosaiah launched the third FICCI Media Entertainment Business Conclave (MEBC) with a call to raise the quality of south Indian films to world standards. The theme of the MEBC 2011 was Embracing the Digital World. Mr. Rosaiah said south Indian films, which accounted for over half of the total films produced and approximately 50% of the total screens in the country, had always occupied a place of pride in Indian cinema. He also urged Tamil producers of low-budget films to promote their releases through co-branding or sponsored trailers that could offset marketing costs. The chairman of the FICCI MEBC, Actor Kamal Hassan participated in the event. - 2 -
New Chennai Corporation Commissioner Mr. P.W.C. Davidar is the new Commissioner of the Chennai Corporation. The outgoing Commissioner, Mr. D. Karthikeyan has been transferred to Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation. Inquiry panel chief takes charge Mr. R. Regupathi, former Madras High Court Judge, took charge as chief of the one man commission of Inquiry, which has been established to go into the alleged irregularities in the construction of the new Secretariat-Assembly complex on Omandurar Government Estate. This follows the resignation of S. Thangaraj, another former Judge of the High Court. Tamil Nadu s 12th Plan Aiming at a higher level of sustainable economic growth, 4% growth rate in agriculture and promoting rapid growth in the manufacturing sector are among the broad objectives of the State government during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-2017), which will begin in April 2012. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has advised the SPC (State Planning Commission) t ensure that the process of planning should go to the level of rural habitation so that economic growth of the State is much more inclusive. - 3 -
TN Speaker to represent India Tamil Nadu Speaker D.Jayakumar will represent India at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association s committee meeting in London. TN seeks additional assistance of Rs. 25000 cr Chief Minister Ms. Jayalalithaa wrote to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh seeking an additional financial assistance of Rs. 25000 crore for development projects. She said in the letter that the amount could be granted partly as grant and partly as loan. Madras HC gets 4 new judges President Pratibha Patil has cleared four names recommended by the Madras High Court for appointment of judges. They are, P. Devdas (Dt Judge) R. Karuppiah (Dt Judge) S. Vimala (Registrar General) Ravi Chnadrababu (Advocate) The present strength of judges in the High Court is 49. Of them, 42 are permanent judges and 7 additional judges. The sanctioned strength is 60 judges. With the appointment of four more judges, the strength will go up to 53. Rs. 3053 cr for improving amenities at panchayats Chief Minister Ms. Jayalalithaa ordered the release of Rs. 3,053 crore under Tamil Nadu Village Habitation Improvement Scheme (THAI) to improve the infrastructure in all village panchayats, panchayat unions and district panchayats. As per the scheme, every panchayat would get Rs. 25000 per month and panchayat unions Rs. 2.5 lakh per month as a grant from the State Finance Commission. Experts seize TNPSC cover Cyber security experts attached to the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Thiruvananthapuram, seized a server of the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) as part of the investigation into allegations of irregularities in recruitments. The DVAC also commenced searches at 42 places across the State targeting middlemen who allegedly helped candidates in various recruitments. TN Govt ships in for Chennai Open The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, J. Jayalalithaa, presented a cheque for Rs. 1 crore to C.B.N. Reddy, honorary secretary, Tamil Nadu Tennis Association, towards the conduct of the ATP Aircel Chennai Open Tennis tournament in Jan 2012. - 4 -
Comparison of three corporations:- Educational assistance for BC, MBC students The Tamil Nadu Government has announced monthly educational assistance to school students from Backward, Most Backward and e-notified communities. Class (non-hostel) Amount (per month for 10 months) I to V Rs. 25 VI to VIII Rs. 40 IX to X Rs. 50 Class (hostel) III to VIII Rs. 200 IX to X Rs. 250-5 -
Cabinet Reshuffle IV Tamil Nadu Government reshuffled once again. This time the dropped ministers are Mr. Paranjothi and Ms. Ramajayam. The newly inducted are Ms. Valarmathi and Mr. Anandan. - 6 -
Elephant s rejuvenation scheme 35 elephants from various temples of Tamil Nadu are taken to Mudumalai forests for rejuvenation scheme. The temple elephants will have an anti-viral bath and walk through patches of bleaching and lime powder to be infected free to their own scheduled space to move around and enjoy the wilderness, away from humans they are so used to, and away from the wild animals in the tiger reserve. They will be given a rejuvenation diet, basically green fodder including sugarcane, sorghum and cariota leaves, for which specific tenders have been floated, forest veterinarians. The accompanying mahouts, have mobile toilets, to ensure hygiene in the elephant camp. Wakf Board gets special allocation of Rs. 3 crore Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has ordered special allocation of Rs. 3 crore to the Wakf Board for the current financial year. Category Previous Hereafter Old Age Pension scheme Rs. 750 Rs. 1000 for Ulemas, those who have been working in masjids and darghas for more than 20 years No of benefiting persons 2400 2600 Court asks State not to interfere with functioning of Anna library The Madras High Court said that its interim order of November 2011 staying until further orders the Tamil Nadu government s decision to shift the Anna Centenary Library from Kotturpuram amounted to forbearing the State from proceeding to make any construction for shifting the facility. - 7 -
Rs. 550 crore sanctioned for developing tourism Chief Minister Jayalalithaa ordered release of Rs. 550 crore for developing tourism in the State and the projects would include two parks in Chennai and Tiruchi on the lines of Sentosa Park in Singapore. These two parks would have all the entertainment facilities under one roof, each costing Rs. 50 crore each. Helicopter tourism, luxury ship tourism and rope car tourism in hill resorts would also be developed. Another project is rural tourist cluster tourism development under which five to seven villages, known for their unique art and culture would be identified and developed. The villages identified under the scheme are, Karikudi (Sivaganga Dt) Pillaiyarpatti (Sivaganga Dt) Kanadukathan (Sivaganga Dt) Athankudi (Sivaganga Dt) Kumbakonam (Thanjavur Dt) Swamimalai (Thanjavur Dt) Tharasuram (Thanjavur Dt) Patteeswaram (Thanjavur Dt) Natchiyarkoil (Thanjavur Dt) Kallidaikurichi (Tirunelveli Dt) Ambasamudram (Tirunelveli Dt) Papanasam (Tirunelveli Dt) Mundanthurai (Tirunelveli Dt) Suchindram (Kanyakumari Dt) Tirparappu (Kanyakumari Dt) Tiruvattar (Kanyakumari Dt) Udayagiri (Kanyakumari Dt) Thengaipattinam (Kanyakumari Dt) Alagarkoil (Madurai Dt) Pazhamuthirsolai (Madurai Dt) Melur (Madurai Dt) Narasingampatti (Madurai Dt) Pollachi (Coimbatore Dt) Anaimalai (Coimbatore Dt) Azhiyar (Coimbatore Dt) Kollimalai (Namakkal Dt) Under the integrated infrastructure development scheme, two tourist circuits would be created making use of the financial assistance from ADB. East Coast Tourist Circuit:- The East Coast tourist circuit (spiritual and traditional circuit) would cover Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Thanjavur districts Southern Tourist Circuit:- The Southern Tourist Circuit (spiritual and eco tourist circuit) would include Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Kanyakumari. Places in the above tourist circuits will be developed in next ten years at a cost of Rs. 450 crore. - 8 -
Rs. 127 cr loan sanctioned for 15 effluent treatment plants Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has sanctioned the release of Rs. 127 crore towards interest-free loan to be given for upgrading Tirupur s 15 common effluent treatment plants (CETP) with the state-of-the-art technologies. Six CETPs would get Rs. 10 crore each; three other plants would get Rs. 9 crore each and two plants Rs. 8 crore each. Of the remaining four plants, the amount sanctioned varied from Rs. 7.96 crore to Rs. 6.73 crore to Rs. 5.1 crore to Rs. 3.73 crore. Project to increase green cover, reduce man-animal conflict Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced implementation of an eight-year Rs. 696.28 crore Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project to increase green cover in the state, avoid conflict between man-animal and prevent animal from migrating to grassfield in search of food and water. The new project was in continuation of the State government s earlier initiative of Tami Nadu Afforestation Project II spanning from 2005-06 to 2012-13. The new project to be implemented in a span of eight years from 2011-12 to 2018-19would be implemented in forest areas not covered under the State s earlier afforestation schemes. Both these projects are being carried out with the financial assistance from Japanese International Cooperative Agency (JICA)/ A high-level authority headed by Chief Secretary will decide the functions of the project that would focus on bio-diversity conservation, increasing the natural resources base, institutional capacity development and consulting services. As per the proposed plan, Rs. 93.46 crore is allocated for bio-diversity conservation Rs. 182.55 crore towards increasing the natural resource base Rs. 260.03 crore towards institutional capacity development Rs. 6.93 crore consulting services Rs. 143.31 crore for other works To avoid increasing man-animal conflict, a sum of Rs. 5.19 crore has been allocated to form elephant trenches and implement various development schemes in Dharmapuri (Rs. 2.21 crore) Erode (Rs. 2.14 crore) Dindigul (Rs. 50 lakh) Tirunelveli (Rs. 34.30 lakh) Christians on pilgrimage to Jerusalem to get State aid CM Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced that the State government s financial assistance to Christians to take pilgrimage to Jerusalem. She said that in the first phase, 500 Christians belonging to all denominations would get the assistance. - 9 -
New IT & ITES policy on the anvil CM Chief Minister Ms. J. Jayalalithaa said that the State government is evolving a new IT & ITES policy that will steer Tamil Nadu to achieve numero uno (number one) position in terms of all round development. Showcasing Tamil Nadu as a rich capital of human resources and a destination of choice for IT investments, she said that the new policy, which would engender many avantgarde features, was aimed at realising her vision to make the State a new growth model in India. Speaking at the Connect 2011 meet organised by CII, she rolled out the red carpet to investors by promising an investor friendly industrial policy. She said that opportunities were immense in the State that had emerged as the country s eastern gateway to the world. IT had powered the transformation of - 10 -
Tamil Nadu into a modern economy and the State was today a global leader in certain verticals of the ITES sector such as banking, insurance and health systems management. She said that from being a conservative coffee-loving city, Chennai was set to become India s IT capital. The Chief Minister said Anna University, which comprised about 500 engineering colleges, produced about 25% of India s engineers and nearly 10% of the world s engineering graduates. She said Indian IT enterprises had risen to global challenges and proved that they were indeed globally competitive. She thanked Mr. S. Ramadorai, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Skill Development, who in his keynote address mooted a sustainable action plan for Tamil Nadu. She said that Tamil Nadu remained one of the top three destinations in attracting FDI in the country. Awards:- Mr. Ramadorai Lifetime Achievement Award Mr. Ashok Bakthavathasalam, MD of KG Information Systems Pvt Ltd Mr. Murugavel Janikaraman, Founder & CEO of Bharat Matrimony Mr. Karumuttu T Kannan, Chairman & Correspondent, Thiagarajar Engineering College TN has potential to become destination of choice S. Ramadorai Speaking at the occasion of Connect 2011 Mr. S. Ramadorai (TCS Chief and Advisor to the PM on Skill Development) said that Tamil Nadu has the potential to become an international destination of choice. With the combination of talent, technology and incentivised policy, the State has all the ingredients to become a global destination for products and services. He said that Tamil Nadu had the country s brightest minds, a vibrant entertainment industry, thriving art and culture and one of the largest entrepreneurial forces. He added that in the line with world cities, Chennai needs investment to create world class infrastructure. He said that the challenges in health, education. Water, agriculture, livelihood and energy should be addressed both in rural and urban areas. He also added that the success of some recent Tamil movies (Endhiran) reflected the customer taste ad appetite for science fiction and computer graphics. Combined with high quality technological talent available locally, the State could take leadership in becoming the preferred destination for film-related support services. Chennai Corporation Vs M.K. Stalin Amid acrimonious scenes in the Council, the Chennai Corporation resolved to take back DMK leader M.K. Stalin s MLA office in Kolathur. Objecting to the resolution canceling the allotment of the building for the office, located on a Chennai school campus, all the 24 DMK councillors walked out. DMK floor leader Mr. D. Subash Chandra Bose said it was being tabled due to political animosty. The 200-membe Council has 168 AIADMK members. The Madras High Court stayed the Corporation s actions. Meanwhile M.K. Stalin said that he will keep a table and chair on a platform in the central part of the Kolathur constituency and will work from there for the welfare of the people. - 11 -
9th Chennai International Film Festival After IFFI at Panaji and Kolkatta International Film Festival, now it is Chennai International Film Festival. Tamil Nadu Government gave Rs. 25 lakh for this function. The IFFI honoured debutant novelist Su. Venkatesan for winning the Sahitya Akademi award for his Kaaval Kottam, and giving a special jury honour to writer Bhaskar Sakthi of Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai fame, the organisers sent out a strong message that it was the time the Tamil film industry recognised its writers and took a closer took at rich contemporary literature. They commended director Suseendran s enterprising idea to make Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai out of Bhaskar Sakthi s story. The best film award went to director Vetrimaran s Aadukalam, a gripping tale that received international acclaim and national awards. The director received Rs. 2 lakh, while the film s producer Kathiresan received Rs. 1 lakh as part of the award. Director Sargunam s Vaagai Sooda Vaa was adjudges the second best film of the year. Court asks CBI to probe Paramakudi firing accident The Madras High Court Bench (Madurai) directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe the police firing incident, which led to the death of six Dalits at Paramakudi of Ramanathapuram District, when a group went on a procession to pay homage to Dalit leader Immanuel Sekaran at his memorial on Sep 11, 2011. Award instituted for best performing government staff Tamil Nadu government has instituted an award scheme for best performing employees of the government. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa would present the award to such employees on Independence Day. The award would carry a medal and a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh and three persons would be chosen every year. Innovative measures in governance would be among the parameters to be kept in mind, while choosing the awardees. A sum of Rs. 8 lakh had also been sanctioned towards documentation and selection. - 12 -
22 dead in boat tragedy in Chennai A Christmas joy ride turned into a tragedy for 22 members of a family, when a boat capsized near the sea mouth of the Pulicat lake backwaters. Officials said that though the boat could hold no more than 10 passengers, there were 25 on the board when the accident happened. The boat was not equipped with life vests. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced an ex gratia of Rs. 1lakh each to the families of the 22 victims. CM seeks special financial package for State Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has sought a special financial package from the Prime Minister for Tamil Nadu to help the State overcome its present financial crisis. In a 18-page memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister at the Raj Bhavan, she said the State s revenue deficit was over Rs. 3000 crore and debt burden was over Rs. 1 lakh crore, which was severely hampering the State s development works. The Centre should provide additional financial support under specific programmes like Backward Regions Grant (BRG) and infrastructural development schemes, similar to special package extended to the West Bengal government recently. The Chief Minister also said that in the forthcoming talks with Sri Lanka, (proposed to be held in Jan 2012), the Centre should strongly take up the issue of attacks against Indian fishermen. She added that all efforts must be taken to protect the traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen in the Palk Bay area and to ensure their safety and security. - 13 -
Cyclone Thane Cyclone Thane devasted the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. At least 48 persons died due to this cyclone. Thane came from Myanmar: The name Thane to the cyclone was suggested by Myanmar. Naming to the tropical cyclones over the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea was started in September 2004. The Indian Meteorological Department received a list of names from 8 countries Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Thailand and Sri Lanka (These countries are panel members in World Meteorological Department). Earlier, only countries like USA and Japan had the practice of referring hurricanes and typhoons by names. The next cyclonic storm would be named Murijaan, as suggested by Oman. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa released Rs. 150 crore towards immediate relief works. Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Puducherry was worst affected. Tamil Nadu government announced a solatium of Rs. 2 lakh each to the families of the victims. Around 6000 persons in Cuddalore, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts and Chennai and low-level areas were shifted to shelters. The local fishermen said that the cyclone Thane is more severe than the 2004 Tsunami. - 14 -
BTX analysers planned at 10 intersections The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board pals to install air quality monitoring equipment that can measure the level of Benzene, Toluene and Xylene (BTX) volatile organic compounds at 10 important intersections in the city. The proposal is part of the Board s efforts to identify the pollutants, some of which are carcinogenic. The government has drafted a proposal for Rs. 5.1 crore for purchase of the equipment. Panel to oversee merger of 5 Anna Universities with Anna University, Chennai The Tamil Nadu government has constituted a six-member monitoring committee, headed by Sheela Balakrishnan, Additional Chief Secretary and Secretary (Municipal Administration and Water Supply), to oversee the merger of five Anna Universities of Technology with Anna University, Chennai. The committee includes Principal Secretary (Higher Education), Secretary (Expenditure) in the State Finance Department, Law Secretary, Commissioner of Technical Education and Joint Secretary (Higher Education). Even though the law repealing the five Anna Universities of Technology in Chennai, Tiruchi, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli was notified in the government gazette in September 2011, it had not yet come into force as the date had to be notified by the government. The original institution Anna University, Chennai would have to make arrangements for the completion of courses being undertaken by students of colleges that had been affiliated to any one of the Anna Universities of Technology. All colleges now affiliated to the five Anna Universities of Technology would have to get affiliated to the Anna University. Likewise, constituent colleges of the five universities would become constituent colleges of the Anna University. - 15 -
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