Puducherry Road Transport Corporation contract staff launch indefinite stir
The protestors complained that staffers, some of whom had been working for over 11 years, had not been absorbed as regular employees. The contract staff demanded job regularisation without further delay and the implementation of all benefits of the Seventh Pay Commission.
Leader of Opposition and DMK convenor R. Siva addressed a protest meeting and condemned the PRTC management for ignoring the demands of the staff. L. Sambath, MLA, and several leaders of the DMK and staff unions participated in the protest meeting.

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NDTV
25 minutes ago
- NDTV
Tamil Nadu's DMK Battles Governor RN Ravi Over Assent For Bills, Again
Chennai: In a fresh flashpoint between the Tamil Nadu government and Governor RN Ravi, the Governor has reserved the Kalaignar Centenary University Bill for the consideration of the President of India, Raj Bhavan sources confirmed. The Bill, which was passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly in April, proposes the establishment of the university and seeks to designate the Chief Minister as its Chancellor, departing from the current norm where the Governor holds the post. The move has triggered sharp criticism from the ruling DMK, which has accused Governor Ravi of committing contempt of court by not adhering to the recent Supreme Court directive that Governors must act on Bills within a strict timeline, i.e., within a month, in the case of referring them to the President or otherwise within a maximum of three months. Rajya Sabha MP and counsel for the Tamil Nadu government, P Wilson, told NDTV, "By going into the validity of the Bill, the Governor has committed contempt of the Supreme Court. He has no role to decide. He is also duty-bound to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, which he has clearly overlooked." This latest standoff comes in the backdrop of the Supreme Court's recent intervention, where it ruled that ten Bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly and referred to the President -despite being passed twice-were deemed to have received assent. The court had invoked its extraordinary constitutional powers to ensure legislative efficacy in the state. However, the Madras High Court subsequently stayed nine of those, especially those that dealt with stripping the Governor of powers to appoint Vice-Chancellors in state universities, adding a new legal layer to the ongoing tussle. While the DMK hoped to start admissions under the new university in the current academic year, the Governor's move is seen as a major setback, potentially delaying opportunities for students. The ruling party has also slammed what it sees as the Centre's silence, alleging that Governors in Opposition-ruled states are repeatedly defying Supreme Court rulings and undermining elected governments by misusing their constitutional immunity. This confrontation highlights the growing constitutional tensions between state governments and Governors, especially in states ruled by non-BJP parties, raising critical questions about federalism, legislative autonomy, and institutional checks and balances in India's democracy despite the Supreme Court's significant ruling.


NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
MK Stalin Urges S Jaishankar For Intervention As Sri Lanka Arrests Tamil Nadu Fishermen
Chennai: In a strongly worded letter, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has urged External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to take immediate diplomatic action to secure the release of 14 Indian fishermen apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy on August 6 for allegedly trespassing into Sri Lankan waters. The fishermen, along with their mechanised fishing vessel and a country boat, were intercepted in the early hours and taken into custody. Mr Stalin pointed out that this marks the 17th such arrest incident in 2025, bringing the total to 80 fishermen and 237 boats currently held by Sri Lankan authorities. "Despite repeated appeals, these arrests continue unchecked. Our fishermen are losing their livelihood and freedom in traditional waters. Urgent diplomatic intervention is required," Mr Stalin wrote. This renewed appeal follows Mr Stalin's earlier public demand urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally intervene over the demand to retrieve Katchatheevu island India had gifted to Sri Lanka in the 70s. He had said "Only a direct intervention by the Prime Minister can bring a lasting solution for Tamil fishermen," taking aim at what he described as the BJP-led Centre's inaction and politicization of the issue. Katchatheevu, a small island ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974, remains a flashpoint in Tamil Nadu politics. The Tamil Nadu Assembly had passed a unanimous resolution in April 2024 demanding that the Centre retrieve Katchatheevu to protect fishermen's rights. While Indian fishermen sail into Lankan waters deliberately or accidentally, retrieval of Katchatheevu island would give them that much extra space to fish. However, many argue, traditionally, fishermen from both sides fished in Lankan and Indian waters for ages and now they point out there is little fish in Indian waters, forcing them to trespass. In this context they want India to enter into a long-term lease agreement with Sri Lanka so Indian fishermen could legally fish in Lankan waters. This issue that gets louder ahead of elections is also mired in political controversy with the BJP blaming the DMK ally Congress of ceding the island to Lanka when DMK was in power in the state in the 70s and the DMK blaming the BJP at the centre of not doing anything to undo it.


New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Congress BC agenda political tsunami, will sweep away NDA in 2029: CM Revanth Reddy
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday declared that Rahul Gandhi will be elected as prime minister in 2029 if the incumbent, Narendra Modi, fails to approve the reservation bills passed by the Telangana Legislature, enhancing quotas for the BCs to 42% in education, employment and political representation. 'Rahul Gandhi's word is an inscription; implementing it is my responsibility,' he said. Revanth was speaking at Porubata, a protest held at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, where over 50 MPs from the INDIA bloc, including NCP MP Supriya Sule, DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and other leaders, expressed solidarity. TPCC chief B Mahesh Kumar Goud, AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, state ministers, MLAs, MLCs, MPs and senior Congress leaders were also present. Taking to X, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said, 'This fight is not just for Telangana, but for the entire country. It is a collective fight to ensure that Indians from marginalised communities have their rightful share in power and progress.' The protest saw strong backing for the Telangana BCs (Reservation of Seats in Rural and Urban Local Bodies) Bill, 2025, and the Telangana BCs, SCs and STs (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services Under the State) Bill, 2025, both awaiting presidential assent. The Telangana Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Ordinance, which seeks to repeal a cap on quotas, is also pending with President Droupadi Murmu. NCP MP Supriya Sule compared Revanth to former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi, praising his historic move to enhance BC reservations. Recalling their first meeting in Lok Sabha, she said, 'He (Revanth) had vowed to bring Congress to power, and he did.' Stating that BCs have been at the receiving end of injustice for ages, DMK MP Kanimozhi demanded immediate assent to the bills, pointing out that Tamil Nadu has implemented 69% reservations. She pledged the DMK's full support to Telangana and its chief minister. At the protest, Revanth launched a direct attack on Modi and the BJP-led NDA government, accusing them of stalling the BC reservation bills passed four months ago. 'We're not asking for land from Gujarat or water from Porbandar. We're asking for 42% reservation for our weaker sections,' he said. 'Why does this give Modi heartburn?'