1. PM Narendra Modi to Launch Amma 2-Wheeler Scheme Today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the ambitious Amma two-wheeler scheme that looks at providing 50 percent subsidy to 1 lakh working women every year to buy mopeds – a key promise made by late J Jayalalithaa in the 2016 elections – on Saturday here.
At the function in Kalaivanar Arangam, Modi will also launch a drive to plant 70 lakh saplings on 70th birth anniversary of Jayalalithaa, which falls on Saturday. Though the government aims to provide 50 percent subsidy to 1 lakh women this year, allotment orders for 1,000 beneficiaries will be handed over on Saturday with Modi himself handing over the orders to a couple of people.
(Source: Deccan Chronicle)
2. Rajini Commends Kamal’s First Public Meet, Lauds Party Principles
Two days after actor Kamal Haasan launched his political party – Makkal Needhi Maiam – in Madurai, his contemporary Rajinikanth wished him success for his endeavour. Rajini, also looking to take the political plunge, congratulated Haasan on the milestone.
Addressing his fans in Chennai, the superstar said, ‘The way Kamal Haasan launched his party was outstanding. His party flag and principles are also good. I congratulated when he came to meet me. Now, I want to congratulate him once again for his successful first public meet.’
Read the full story here.
3. 2,400 Kg of Gutkha Seized from Container Terminal
In a major breakthrough, the Chennai city police detected a transhipment point where banned chewable tobacco products were smuggled from other states and supplied to various outlets in the city for illegal sale. The police seized over 2,400 kg of gutkha products concealed in five containers, which were transported on train from Delhi.
Based on a tip-off, a team led by Tiruvottiyur inspector PR Chidambara Murugesan searched the premises of the Concor depot where they found five containers with the contraband and seized them. The containers were transported in the name of Jai Amba Transport.
(Source: The Hindu)
4. CM Promises to Fast-Track Real Estate Approvals
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday announced that estate developers across the state will soon get their permits online within 45 days. This would be done through a single window platform.
Inaugurating the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (Credai), Chennai Chapter’s FAIRPRO 2018. he said that all permissions pertaining to planning can also be obtained through an online portal which has been developed in association with the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras. Deputy Chief Minister O Paneerselvam pointed out that the application would be scrutinised through a tailor-made software.
(Source: The Hindu)
5. Governor Woos Entrepreneurs
Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Friday told a business conclave that entrepreneurs could approach him directly when they faced problems in the state. “I am with you. Please begin industrial ventures here. If you face any hitches, Raj Bhavan is open for you. You can come to me. I have a good relationship with the Chief Minister. I will tell him with love, and work will be done immediately. There will be no delay. I am sure of that,” he said.
Purohit was speaking after inaugurating the three-day JITO Connect 2018, organised by the Jain International Trade Organisation. “There is a lot of scope for industrialisation here. There were some problems earlier, such as red-tapism, and so on. Recently, they [the State] passed an Ordinance: one-window clearance. In one-window clearance, red-tapism will end,” said the Governor.
(Source: The Hindu)
6. Madras High Court Issues Notice to Apollo Hospitals in Jayalalithaa Lineage Case
The Madras High Court on Friday issued notice to Apollo Hospitals on a sub-application filed by S Amrutha, who claimed herself as the biological daughter of former Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa.
In this fresh application, Amrutha submitted she had not received any reply to her earlier notice to Apollo Hospitals asking whether it was preserving the biological samples of Jayalalithaa. When the matter came up before Justice S Vaidyanathan, Advocate-General Vijay Narayan submitted that Amrutha’s claim raked up an issue that was over 30 years old.
(Source: The New Indian Express)
7. Kallakurichi MLA Shifts Loyalty to Dhinakaran
(Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)
In a fresh challenge to the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the party’s Kallakurichi MLA A Prabhu joined the camp led by dissident leader TTV Dhinakaran on Friday. Prabhu claimed that it was evident from the RK Nagar bypoll that Dhinakaran had the support of the people. His primary demand to create a new district with Kallakurichi as its headquarters was yet to materialise, and hence the decision, he said.
He also called upon other AIADMK MLAs to join the TTV camp if they wanted to serve the people in the limited time left. Prabhu is the first AIADMK legislator to extend support to Dhinakaran since last year’s disqualification of 18 MLAs supporting the latter.
(Source: The Hindu)
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