Latest news with #KElambahavath
New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Class 10 boy suicide: File SC/ST case against teachers
THOOTHUKUDI: Three weeks after a Class X student of an aided school in Paramankurichi died by suicide, allegedly leaving behind a note stating four teachers had harassed him, demanding a community certificate, the Periyariya Unarvalargal Kootani on Monday petitioned district collector K Elambahavath seeking action against the teachers under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. According to sources, the student M Muthukrishnan, who is from the Kaatu Nayakkan community, ended his life on June 23. Tiruchendur police have registered an FIR against the four teachers, and the school education department has suspended them. On Monday, the boy's father, Muthukumar, who accompanied the members of Periyariya Unarvalargal Kootani led by Pal Prabakar, said the sections invoked against the teachers are weak. "Police must invoke sections of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the teachers", he said. Pal Prabakar said the state government must issue Kattunayakan certificates to students so that they do not face humiliation at schools. (To overcome suicidal thoughts, call TN health department helpline 104)
New Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Sterlite supporters want copper plant reopened
THOOTHUKUDI: Supporters of the closed Sterlite Copper plant met Thoothukudi Collector K Elambahavath on Wednesday, urging him to recommend reopening the facility, after experts proposed copper production using eco-friendly techno-logies. The proposal, prepared by former ICT Vice Chancellor Ganapati D Yadav and retired Anna University professor R Nagendran, recommends producing 70% copper from concentrate and 30% from recycled copper to reduce slag and emissions. It avoids production of phosphoric acid in the process, and sourcing water from desalination and Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). Members from various associations, including the Thoothukudi Livelihood Protection Federation, Industrial Suppliers Association, and the local traders, fishermen, and villagers, supported a hybrid production model. Supporter Ganesan said the hybrid model is sustainable and would boost Thoothukudi's economy. He urged the collector to consider and recommend the proposal to the state government. They claimed this method would minimize pollution and restore lost jobs for contractors, lorry operators, and others in the industrial chain. The Vedanta's Sterlite Copper plant was shut in 2018 following protests over environmental violations that led to the death of 15 civilians in police firing.
New Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Despite GO, 300 panchayat secretaries retain posts for a decade in Thoothukudi
THOOTHUKUDI: Despite a government directive mandating the transfer of panchayat secretaries every three years, over 300 secretaries in Thoothukudi district have remained in the same village panchayats for more than a decade. Sources say a transfer order issued by Collector K Elambahavath in April remains unimplemented. Thoothukudi has 403 village panchayats spread across 12 blocks. While the G.O 113 dated September 13, 2023, delegated powers to Block Development Officers (BDOs) to transfer secretaries within unions, and higher authorities for inter-union and inter-district transfers, the subsequent instructions to conduct counselling in April this year have not been acted upon. Social activist S M Gandhimathinathan alleged that the long-standing presence of secretaries in the same villages has led to increased corruption, especially after elected panchayat bodies were dissolved in January. 'With rural bodies now under special officers, panchayat secretaries are misusing power and colluding with local politicians to encroach Porambokku lands,' he claimed. Another activist pointed out that bribery complaints from the public have increased, citing that transfers once every three years are essential for transparent governance. In a letter dated April 22, Collector Elambahavath directed BDOs to conduct counselling for secretaries who have overstayed or requested transfers due to health or seniority. The note stated that transfers would enhance administrative efficiency. However, no such counselling has been held so far. A senior officer from the Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association admitted that regular transfers have never been implemented. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Rural Development Officers Association district secretary Anto told TNIE that transfers of a government employee for every three years is a general norm, however, keeping secretaries in the same village does offer some benefits. Elambahavath stated that panchayat secretaries are being transferred on a need basis, in response to complaints or administrative requirements. However, a comprehensive counselling process has not yet been planned and will require further instructions from the Rural Development Department, he added.
New Indian Express
11-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Model school pupils go beyond 100 per cent pass, ace entrance exams in Tamil Nadu
THOOTHUKUDI: In what is an episode of double delight for the first-ever batch passing out from the district's lone Government Model School, the 74 students of Class 12 have not only achieved 100% pass percentage but 26 of them have also so far gone on to crack the entrance exams of some of the premier educational institutions in the country.. Collector K Elambahavath on Saturday visited the school functioning out of the Infant Jesus Engineering College at Vallanadu and congratulated the children and faculty members for the outstanding performance. The primary aim of the model school to guide those talented students in government schools, and who hail from families with a modest background, to the premier institutions of the country is evidently being witnessed, he said. Currently, four students of the model school cleared JEE (Joint Entrance Examination); five the exam to Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management; one, CLAT; two students cleared the test by Azim Premji University while four qualified for NATA. Two students have been shortlisted to the National Institute of Fashion Technology. Student Abivarshini has qualified for UCEED (undergraduate common entrance examination for design) attached to the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, NIFT and APU.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Thoothukudi farmers say crops on 1.5K acres wilting, seek water
THOOTHUKUDI: Claiming that over 1,500 acres of banana plantation and 100 acres of betel creepers are withering due to soaring heat and inadequate water supply, farmers submitted a petition to Collector K Elambahavath seeking the release of water into the north channel. K Subudurai, Tamil Nadu Vivasaya Sangam Eral Taluk secretary, stated in the petition that the north channel branching off from Srivaikuntam anaicut on the river Thamirabarani has been closed for maintenance works, citing construction of bridges at Kalangudi, Mangalapuram, and Melamangalakurichi. Moreover, the Public Works Department (PWD) is laying stone blocks on the riversides between the head sluice of Arumugamangalamkulam tank and Kottaikadu village. However, the banana plantation and betel plants grown in 1,500 acres in Eral, Kottaikadu, Lakshmipuram, Valavallan, Korkai, Manalur, Ganapathy Samuthram, Arasankulam, and Selvavinayagapuram villages, directly fed by the north channel, are left dry. After the onset of Agni Natchathiram, the crops have also begun withering due to the scorching heat. Subudurai further said that officials are carrying out project works, ignoring the condition of crops directly fed by the channel. Despite there being plenty of water stored in Papanasam dam at 83 feet and Manimutharu dam at 85 feet, crops are withering off without water. These works can be stopped for two weeks, and the water can be released to save the crops. Also, it is time to release water for Advance kar from April 1 to July 10, which is the sole right of the north and south channel farmers in Thoothukudi. A few other farmers said that they are yet to recover from the financial losses caused by the December 2023 floods that devastated the Thamirabarani basin. The officials must consider visiting the agriculture fields and recommend for release of water to save the crops.
