Latest news with #IndraniPonvasanth
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Madurai corpn signs MoU to launch skill centre for differently-abled
Madurai: Madurai corporation, in collaboration with Chennai Mission and MS Chellamuthu Trust, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Friday to establish a skill development centre and canteen for people with disabilities, especially those with mental health conditions and developmental challenges. The MoU was signed at Arignar Anna Maligai in the presence of state minister for information technology and digital services, Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, and Madurai mayor Indrani Ponvasanth. The agreement was signed by Rama Subramanian, founder of MS Chellamuthu Trust, and Madurai corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan. The centre and canteen will be set up at the Anna Maligai premises and at Jhansi Rani Park respectively. The initiative aims to provide livelihood opportunities through vocational training in hospitality, food preparation, and service sectors. Chennai Mission will offer technical support and training modules based on similar successful models in Chennai. This initiative is also part of the ongoing Happy Schooling project in corporation schools and the trust's mental health outreach. Training is expected to begin by the last week of July, with experienced chefs and supervisors leading the programme, said corporation officials.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
DMK suspends Madurai mayor's hubby Ponvasanth
1 2 3 Madurai: DMK high command has temporarily suspended Pon Vasanth, husband of Madurai mayor Indrani Ponvasanth, for alleged anti-party activities and repeated interference in the functioning of the city corporation. The action was taken on a directive from party general secretary Durai Murugan , who stated that Vasanth's actions were against the party's interests. A senior functionary, Vasanth had earlier held the post of secretary of DMK's Madurai urban central area committee. He drew the party's ire for organising a corporation council meeting on May 24, the day a high-level consultation meeting with district secretaries, attended by minister P Moorthy, was scheduled. The meeting was part of the party's build-up to the general council meet to be attended by chief minister M K Stalin. Of the DMK's 67 councillors, just eight were in attendance at the corporation council meeting a week ago, including mayor Indrani Ponvasanth. A senior party source told TOI that Vasanth pushed for the corporation meeting despite opposition from party functionaries, forcing a clash in schedules. "He even sought support from AIADMK councillors to push through resolutions when quorum was lacking. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Though he is a close aide of finance minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, their relations have strained in the last few months, adding to the tensions," he added. According to DMK Madurai city secretary and Madurai North MLA G Thalapathi, Vasanth's suspension followed repeated warnings over his interference in the corporation's administrative affairs. "This decision has nothing to do with the mayor. The party is satisfied with her governance, and she will continue in her role," Thalapathi said. Mayor Indrani Ponvasanth was unavailable for comment.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Engineers' shortage affecting works'
Madurai: A shortage of assistant engineers is hampering civic projects across Madurai, councillors said at the meeting. With just 15 assistant engineers for the 100 wards, they raised alarm over mounting delays in roadwork, drainage, and other essential infrastructure initiatives. Ward 64 councillor M Solai Raja said the shortfall pushed many wards to rely on technical assistants, which could compromise the quality and safety of work. "The shortage is impacting the integrity of civic projects," he said. He also highlighted discrepancies in the corporation's rollout of digital water meters. "In ward 10, we noticed manual meters being fixed. This raises the risk of manipulation and revenue loss in the long term," he added. Mayor Indrani Ponvasanth said the corporation sent a request to the municipal administration department for new appointments. Preparations for the northeast monsoon were also discussed, with councillors urging urgent desilting of stormwater drains. Before the meeting commenced, AIADMK councillors, with support from CPM, submitted a petition to the mayor requesting land allocation for a kabaddi ground in Sellur, near the Sellur market. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
20-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Garbage collection, streetlight woes dominate grievance meet
Madurai: Irregular garbage collection and non-functional LED streetlights were among the top complaints raised by residents at a public grievance meeting in Madurai west zone, chaired by mayor Indrani Ponvasanth on Tuesday. Residents from Thirunagar, represented by local association members and councillors, highlighted a decline in door-to-door garbage collection . They urged civic authorities to streamline door-to-door collection to prevent the overflow of dumper bins and dumping in waterbodies and canals. Several residents from Thiruparankundram, Baklaji Nagar, and parts of Madakulam pointed out that LED streetlights remained non-functional for more than a year in many areas, compromising public safety during the night. Zonal chairperson V Suveetha acknowledged the issue, stating that many existing 20-watt LED lights are too dim and need to be upgraded to 40-watt bulbs. She also noted that some residential extensions are yet to be fitted with LED lights altogether. Additionally, residents of Muthupatti submitted petitions regarding long-pending road repairs. They complained that roads in their area were not laid or maintained for over a year, making daily commuting difficult and hazardous. The mayor assured residents that all grievances would be forwarded to the concerned departments for immediate follow-up and action.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Time of India
Traders warned against encroachment at Mattuthavani bus stand
1 2 3 Madurai: Madurai corporation has directed traders at the Mattuthavani MGR bus stand to immediately remove encroachments from pedestrian walkways . Following an inspection on Monday, mayor Indrani Ponvasanth and corporation commissioner Chithra Vijayan warned that strict action would be taken against vendors who fail to confine their goods within allotted shop spaces. During the visit to Mattuthavani, officials expressed concern over shops and goods spilling onto public walkways, causing inconvenience to the public. They instructed corporation officials to remove these encroachments without delay. Traders have also been warned to strictly conduct business only within their designated zones, especially during the festival season, to avoid penal action. With the Chithirai festival underway in Madurai, officials including district collector M S Sangeetha, corporation commissioner Chithra Vijayan, and police commissioner J Loganathan inspected various festival-related arrangements across key areas such as Alwarpuram and Goripalayam, through which Lord Kallazhagar's procession will pass. According to a release from corporation, to ensure a smooth and safe festival experience, the administration has been actively executing a range of civic works: installation of drinking water tanks, temporary toilets, sanitation measures, barricades, streetlights, road repairs, and CCTV surveillance.
