Latest news with #ASrinivasan
New Indian Express
21 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
'Save MKU coalition' seeks Rs 800 crore one-time grant from TN government
MADURAI: The Save MKU Coalition has urged the Tamil Nadu government to provide a one-time grant of Rs 800 crore to Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) to restore its glory and make it a self-sustaining institution. The demand was made during a public hearing on 'MKU facing issues and solution' held in Madurai on Sunday. In his presidential address, Coalition President A Srinivasan said that nearly 120 affiliated colleges are functioning under MKU in Madurai, Virudhunagar, Theni and Ramanathapuram districts. He pointed out that the varsity is currently reeling under a financial crisis, which not only affects the university but also impacts students of affiliated colleges. He urged the government to understand the gravity of the issue and take necessary steps to strengthen the university. Speaking to the media, Coalition Secretary R Murali said the aim of the hearing was to mobilise members of the public forum to save MKU from its financial crisis and improve its quality. 'In 1999, the government gave Rs 339 crore block grant to MKU, but now it is only Rs 8 crore. Annamalai University received a Rs 300 crore block grant in 1999 and now gets Rs 530 crore. Everyone knows the violations and malpractices in Annamalai University. Why is the government showing partiality?' he questioned. He reiterated that the TN government should sanction Rs 800 crore to MKU to restore its status and make it financially independent. He also stressed the need for an effective Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) as per norms, a student grievance redressal forum with parent participation, and urged the MKU authorities to convene a special syndicate meeting to award degrees to scholars who have long been waiting for their Ph.D degrees.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Frequent sewer repairs leave roads in disarray
Chennai: Underground sewerage system (UGSS) work is under way on more than 3,900 streets and residents across the city are caught in a loop of prolonged disruption, dust, and debris. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Roads remain dug up for months, especially in areas such as Perambur, Nungambakkam, Medavakkam, and Sholinganallur, often without prior notice. Residents complain that repeated excavations by different departments — Metrowater for sewer lines, Tangedco for underground cables, and GCC for stormwater drains — have turned many roads unmotorable. Lack of inter-agency coordination has made matters worse, residents say. At Nungambakkam, Metrowater work on 2nd and 5th Streets was abandoned midway, and debris was used to close trenches. A Srinivasan, a resident, said this left the roads in a dangerous state for more than a year. Recently, a second round of digging caused power outages after electricity lines were damaged. On Perambur's Paper Mills Road, civic activist S Arulmozhi said that the road was dug up a year ago and patched poorly, only to be reopened again last week. Several other key roads in north Chennai, including Madhavaram High Road and Medavakkam Tank Road, are facing similar disruptions. Residents of Chinnaiyan New Colony said that freshly relaid roads were dug up again under the North Chennai Development Scheme. "Why wasn't the relaying postponed until all UGSS work was done?" asked C Raghukumar, a resident of Perambur. At Sholinganallur, resident D Palani said stormwater drain and sewage work damaged existing water lines, leading to acute supply shortages. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Workers appear only once or twice a week," he said. A Metrowater official said that 1,329 of the 3,900 streets involve multiple utility works, leading to delays. He said that sewage and drainage systems are designed to last 50 years, and hence multiple inspections are mandatory before road relaying begins. Officials said No Objection Certificates (NOCs) are awaited from various departments and coordination meetings are being held weekly. In severely affected areas such as north Chennai, water tankers are being sent. Metrowater managing director T G Vinay said UGSS work will continue till Sept and pause during the monsoon. All road cuts, he added, will be repaired before the rains begin.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Provide Rs100cr a year to MKU for paying salaries'
Madurai: Save Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) Coalition has demanded that Tamil Nadu govt provide at least Rs100 crore a year for pensions and salaries for the university. It is not right for employees or pensioners to be made scapegoats during the university's financial crisis, it said. Several hundred people are affected by the financial crisis at MKU without receiving salaries and pensions. The coalition pointed out that monthly pensions and salaries for Dec 2024, Jan 2025, and Feb 2025 were paid only in March, while May salary is yet to be paid. "The govt is refusing to provide funds for salaries citing audit objections. The responsibility to correct audit issues lies with the finance officer and deputy director. Govt secretaries have been on the syndicate to streamline the university. It is the duty of the govt to point out and correct the shortcomings in the financial management of the university," said A Srinivasan, president, Save MKU Coalition. He added that the university suffered from various administrative irregularities for four years and the quality of education was declining. He said the resources and infrastructure of the university should not be rented out to private agencies to mobilise funds. Madurai: Save Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) Coalition has demanded that Tamil Nadu govt provide at least Rs100 crore a year for pensions and salaries for the university. It is not right for employees or pensioners to be made scapegoats during the university's financial crisis, it said. Several hundred people are affected by the financial crisis at MKU without receiving salaries and pensions. The coalition pointed out that monthly pensions and salaries for Dec 2024, Jan 2025, and Feb 2025 were paid only in March, while May salary is yet to be paid. "The govt is refusing to provide funds for salaries citing audit objections. The responsibility to correct audit issues lies with the finance officer and deputy director. Govt secretaries have been on the syndicate to streamline the university. It is the duty of the govt to point out and correct the shortcomings in the financial management of the university," said A Srinivasan, president, Save MKU Coalition. He added that the university suffered from various administrative irregularities for four years and the quality of education was declining. He said the resources and infrastructure of the university should not be rented out to private agencies to mobilise funds.
