QChennai: DMK, AIADMK Top Earners Among Regional Parties & More
Catch all the latest news making headlines from Chennai.
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1. DMK, AIADMK Top Earners in Country: Report
The DMK and AIADMK had the highest total income during 2015-16 respectively among the 32 regional parties in the country that submitted their annual audit statements to the Election Commission of India, according to a report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
During 2015-16, the DMK had the highest income of Rs 77.63 crore among all regional parties, followed by the AIADMK, which had an income of Rs 54.93 crore, the second highest in the country.
(Source: The Hindu)
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2. Ration Sugar Not So Sweet Anymore
The price of sugar supplied through ration shops across the State will almost be doubled from Rs 13.50 a kg to Rs 25 with effect from 1 November this year.
However, a GO issued by the Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection Department on Friday clarified the revision in price would not apply for holders of the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cards (given to the poorest of the poor).
Incidentally, it was exactly a year ago (27 October), that the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu decided to implement the Centre’s National Food Security Act, which former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had been resisting.
(Source: The Hindu)
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3. Bench Refuses to Stay Ban on Hoardings of Living Persons
A Division Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday refused to pass interim orders on an appeal by the Chennai Corporation Commissioner and stay the operation of an order passed by a single judge of the court on Tuesday imposing a blanket ban across the State on cut-outs, hoardings, flex boards and banners featuring pictures of living persons.
During the course of hearing, the judges expressed their anguish over the menace of unauthorised banners and flex boards continuing unabated despite several orders passed by the court. The judges wondered why rules and regulations on display of publicity materials had been framed when the rules were hardly implemented.
(Source: The Hindu)
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4. Monsoon Sets In, Southern Parts Likely to Get More Rain
After noticing the presence of northeasterly winds along the east coast, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday declared the onset of the monsoon. Several parts of the State, including the city, received rainfall.
According to the IMD’s weather inference, monsoon rains have started over the southern peninsula, including Puducherry, Kerala and south coastal Andhra Pradesh. A cyclonic circulation over the southeast Tamil Nadu and the neighbourhood has accelerated the onset of the monsoon.
(Source: The Hindu)
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5. Corporation Relying Entirely on Grants for Civic Services
Owing to financial constraints, the Chennai Corporation has started relying entirely on grants, altering the existing financial pattern of funding for civic infrastructure projects.
So far, grants for civic infrastructure projects constitute around 30% of the estimate for a project. The Chennai Corporation has asked the Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TNUIFSL) to sanction a scheme with 100% grant for installation of 17,301 streetlights at Rs 80.14 crore.
Earlier, TNUIFSL had sanctioned projects only in the financial pattern of 60% (loan), 30% (grant) and 10% (urban local body’s contribution).
(Source: The Hindu)
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6. Jaya Affixed Thumb Impressions on her Own, Doctor Tells HC
Government doctor P Balaji, who had attested former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s thumb impressions on documents related to polls held during her hospitalisation last year, deposed before the Madras High Court on Friday that the late leader had affixed the thumb impressions on her own after the contents were read out to her.
The doctor also said Ms Jayalalithaa’s friend VK Sasikala was by her bedside when he obtained the thumb impressions at around 6:30 pm on 27 October and denied the suggestion of having met incumbent Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam or any other Minister on that day.
(Source: The Hindu)
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7. Kamal Gets Proactive on Flood Mitigation
Actor Kamal Haasan on Friday took to Twitter again to caution the State government about impending floods that could devastate the lives of over 10 lakh residents of north Chennai.
In his latest post, Haasan said that the Kosasthalaiyar, a river much bigger than the Cooum, has not drained till now and continues to be the livelihood of fishermen. “Already, we, without ecological concerns, have lost 1,090 acres in the estuary to encroachment,” he said.
(Source: The Hindu)
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