1. Opposition to Protest Bus Fare Hike Across Tamil Nadu on 13 Feb
A united opposition of the DMK, MDMK, Congress, VCK, and Left parties in Tamil Nadu said they will hold protests across Tamil Nadu on 13 February against the bus fare hike in the state. The protest declaration came after an all-party meet at the DMK headquarters in Chennai on 6 February.
In another twist, MDMK Chief Vaiko also participated in the meeting at the DMK HQ making it the first all-party meet called by the DMK in 12 years that MDMK chief Vaiko attended. He last attended a meeting chaired by DMK supremo Karunanidhi in 2006.
Read the full story here.
2. Governor Suspends VC Held for Graft
Bharathiar University Vice Chancellor A Ganapathi, who was arrested on Saturday on corruption charges, was suspended by Governor-Chancellor Banwarilal Purohit on Tuesday evening. He is the second serving Vice Chancellor of a State university to be suspended in the history of Tamil Nadu.
Following his suspension, Higher Education Minister KP Anbalagan said that a committee would soon be constituted to run the the university in Coimbatore. Ganapathi was arrested by officers of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption while allegedly accepting Rs 1 lakh in cash and Rs 29 lakh by means of post-dated cheques from an assistant professor, T Suresh, for regularising his appointment. He is presently in judicial custody.
(Source: The Hindu)
3. 22,960 Applications for Two-Wheeler Scheme
The Chennai Corporation has received 22,960 applications for the ‘Amma Two-Wheeler Scheme’ from working women owing to the popularity of the scheme in areas such as RK Nagar. According to a press release, Local Administration Minister SP Velumani has announced that the deadline for the submission of applications has been extended from 5 Feb to 10 Feb because of requests from residents.
As many as 1.74 lakh applications have been received from women in the State. Chennai recorded the largest number of applications for the scheme. A maximum subsidy of 50% of the cost of the two-wheeler or Rs 25,000, whichever is less, will be offered to the beneficiary. The beneficiary should be a native and resident of Tamil Nadu, in the age group of 18 to 40 and should possess a valid driving licence.
(Source: The Hindu)
4. Remove Adverse Remarks, Sasikala Urges Panel Probing Jaya’s Death
Former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s jailed aide VK Sasikala moved the Justice Arumughaswamy Commission of Inquiry, urging it to expunge adverse remarks made against her last week.
She agreed to file an affidavit on Jayalalithaa’s hospitalisation but sought documentary evidence in connection with the death of the former Chief Minister, submitted by 14 witnesses before the Commission, to respond to the charges therein. On 30 January, the Commission, while directing her to file an affidavit, had held that Sasikala was the only person who knew everything regarding Jayalalithaa’s health condition and the corresponding treatment. Justice Arumughaswamy had said that she should have filed an affidavit on her own soon after the Commission was established.
(Source: The Hindu)
5. Norms for Construction Permits Set to Be Relaxed
With the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority agreeing to seek only an Encumbrance Certificate for an individual plot instead of the entire layout, the process of issuing construction permits is set to become easier.
Following widespread reports of inordinate delays in issuing construction permits in the city and suburbs for “buildings on individual plots in layouts,” the government had asked the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority to explore the possibility of speeding up the process and relaxing norms. Of the 2,200 applications received by the Chennai Corporation in the past eight months, just four planning permits have reportedly been issued.
(Source: The Hindu)
6. Straightening of ‘Bravo’ Taxiway Begins at Airport
Nearly a decade after it was proposed, work to straighten the taxiway called ‘Bravo’ has finally started, officials said. The work involves straightening of a curve (of the ‘B’ taxiway) as it delays aircraft that are headed towards the main runway.
Officials said the work will be carried out in two phases and will be completed in two years. “We will carry out this work without any disruptions to flight schedules. Currently, only initial work has been taken up; but when work reaches a crucial stage, the main runway will have to be closed during the day and the secondary runway will be used,” an official said.
(Source: The Hindu)
7. Smoke from Crematorium Irks Residents
When the clock strikes 4 pm, staff of the Anna Nagar Regional Transport Office on New Avadi Road and residents of the neighbouring Annai Sathya Street scurry to close the windows of their building. The smoke and dust emanating from the damaged chimney of the nearby century-old Velankadu crematorium has become a headache for the staff and residents alike.
The Velankadu crematorium is situated on New Avadi Road. There are more cremations in the evening slots, the staffers say, and as a result, there is thick smoke and the stench of burning flesh in the area. A cemented pathway, with illustrations on road safety and other social issues on the walls, leads to the gasifier crematorium situated at one end of the compound. The chimney was originally 100 feet tall. But, during Vardah, it was damaged and the height came down subsequently to 60 feet. After the height was reduced, strong winds carry the smoke and dust from chimney to neighbouring streets.
(Source: The Hindu)
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