Latest news with #Murali
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI(M) pushes back against the ‘capital punishment' controversy centred around late V.S.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has pushed back against the 'capital punishment' controversy centred around the late leader and former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, who died at the age of 101 on July 21. The recent portrayal by two former CPI(M) insiders that the party had singled out Achuthanandan for harsh criticism during its 2015 State conference in Alappuzha, forcing the veteran to exit the venue in distress, sparked the dispute, which erupted, discomfortingly for the party, in the wake of the outpouring of public grief for the departed leader. The controversy flared last week after former CPI(M) legislator and dramatist Pirappancode Murali alleged that a young leader had rhetorically recommended 'capital punishment' for Achuthanandan, following the presentation of a 'chargesheet', accusing the veteran of pursuing a cult of the individual that undervalued the role of the party and the masses in the struggle for working-class goals. On Friday (July 25, 2025) last, CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan dismissed Mr. Murali's averments, terming them 'pure nonsense'. He noted that Mr. Murali was no longer a party member and alleged that the latter had stoked controversy to get traction for an upcoming memoir. He accused the 'right-wing' media of 'vilifying communist leaders when alive and canonising them when dead to weaken the party'. Nevertheless, the dispute appeared to gain some political momentum on Sunday (July 27, 2025), with CPI(M)'s former MP, Suresh Kurup, seemingly endorsing Mr. Murali's allegations in an opinion piece published by a leading Malayalam daily on the same day. In the article reminiscing about his long years in the CPI(M) with Achuthanandan, Mr. Kurup alleged that a 'young woman leader old enough to be Achuthanandan's granddaughter had recommended capital punishment' at the State conference for the leaders' perceived transgressions. General Education Minister and CPI(M) State Committee member rejected the accusations. 'The State conference elevated me to the State committee. No such thing transpired as alleged', he stated. Another CPI(M) State committee member, Kadakampally Surendran, said the accusations 'were startling and aimed at slurring the character of rising stars in the party, including M. Swaraj'. He said the 'right-wing media' hounded Achutnandan and Kodiyeri in their lifetime. 'Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan endured waves of spirited smear campaigns aimed at weakening the party. 'Kerala has historically dismissed such false and malicious campaigns against Communists. The current controversy will be short-lived', he added.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Tara Murali, 75, passes away
Tara Murali, 75, architect and wife of N. Murali, Director of The Hindu Group of Publications and president of The Music Academy, passed away at their home in Chennai late in the evening of Saturday (July 26, 2025). She had been ailing for some time. She is survived by her husband, their son Krishna Murali, their daughter Kanta Murali, three grand-children, and her elder brother, Ramesh Pattabhiraman. Tara Murali was schooled at Sacred Heart Matriculation Higher Secondary School at Churchpark in Chennai, did her pre-university course at Stella Maris College, and took her Bachelor of Architecture ( degree at the School of Architecture and Planning, University of Madras. She had an active architectural practice over four decades and pursued public causes related to town planning, and environmental and consumer protection. Among the causes she has taken up were the conservation of Palani Hills, protection of heritage buildings including the Director General of Police's office, and Queen Mary's College. Thoroughly secular and modern in outlook, she had varied interests: music, literature, environment, heritage and consumer action. She served for several years as a Trustee of the Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG), was a member of the Broadcast Complaints Council and INTACH governing council, and was active in book groups. She was President of the Tamil Nadu Table Tennis Association and also of the Table Tennis Players Welfare Association. She translated Ma. Po. Sivagnanam's Tamil book on Veerapandiya Kattabomman into English. The cremation will be at the Besant Nagar crematorium on Monday (July 28, 2025).
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Collector emphasises support for golden families under P4 scheme
Chirala: Bapatla district collector J Venkata Murali informed that financial assistance will be provided to Golden Families identified under the P4 scheme to lift them out of poverty during a constituency-level meeting held at the Municipal Office in Chirala on Saturday. In the meeting focused on P4, Surya Ghar, and handloom development initiatives, Collector Murali and Chirala MLA M Malakondaiah felicitated local handloom artisans following the national award received for Kuppadam silk sarees under the 'One District One Product' (ODOP) initiative. During the event, the collector distributed loans worth Rs 6.00 crores to 30 DWCRA groups under MEPMA and Rs 7.00 crores to 40 DWACRA groups under Velugu through cheques. Drawing inspiration from Dr BR Ambedkar's journey from poverty to becoming the architect of India's Constitution, Collector Murali emphasised the crucial role of mentors in eradicating poverty. He revealed that under Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu's P4 policy, he has adopted 10 destitute families from Cherukupalli mandal. The collector said that in the Chirala constituency, 8,405 Golden Families have been identified, with 402 mentors already assigned to 4,400 families. He appealed for mentors to come forward for the remaining 4,000 families, promising government recognition and respect for their service. For handloom development, the collector emphasised the need to provide liberal loans to weavers and criticised the approval of only 327 units out of 1695 solar power applications. He said plans to establish ODOP stalls at Bapatla, Chirala, Vadarevu, and Suryalanka Beach to promote Kuppadam sarees, incorporating modern technology like scanners to share the history of these traditional garments. The collector also announced that the government has agreed to develop the 26-acre Handloom Park in Devangapuri, Chirala mandal, into a Handloom MSME hub to boost the sector further. Chirala RDO Chandrsekhar, Municipal Chairman M Sambasiva Rao, DRDA PD Srinivasa Rao, CPO Shalom Raju, Handlooms AD Raghunanda, and officials from various departments also participated in the programme.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Do not grow Black Burley tobacco for next crop season, govt tells farmers
1 2 Vijayawada: The ongoing crisis in the tobacco auction market has led the state govt to ban the cultivation of black burley tobacco for the next crop season. With traders not offering any solace, the govt swung into action and purchased stocks from growers through the market intervention scheme (MIS). However, tobacco farmers are said to be unhappy with the slow pace of purchases at the centres set up in agriculture market yards. Taking the surplus stocks situation into account, the govt has decided to ban cultivation for the next season. Bapatla collector JV Murali asked farmers not to cultivate black burley tobacco next season and switch to other crops. Murali also reviewed the progress of tobacco purchases with officials and asked them to expedite the procurement process. "We will take action against farmers if they cultivate black burley. We will not hesitate to destroy the crop. The surplus production by farmers led to price drop and crisis in the market. We urge farmers to cooperate with the govt and cultivate alternative crops instead of black burley," said Murali, adding that farmers are free to sell existing stocks to private companies. To protect stocks from the rains, the govt asked farmers not to bring tobacco bales with more than 20% moisture to purchase centres. The govt has so far procured around 2,842 metric tonnes of tobacco against the target of 14,800 metric tonnes. Over 13,000 farmers from 105 villages in Bapatla district are still waiting to dispose of their stocks. The govt also constituted village level committees to oversee the ongoing purchase of tobacco at market yards. Senior officials, including joint collectors and RDOs, have been directed to closely monitor the purchases. However, farmers are worried that it may take two-three months to dispose of the entire stock if the slow pace of purchases continues. They are also worried that tobacco leaves may get damaged in the next two months.
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Bapatla District Collector bans Black Burley tobacco cultivation for this year
In a significant move, Bapatla District Collector J. Venkata Murali has imposed a complete ban on the cultivation of Black Burley tobacco in the district for the current agricultural year, citing severe financial losses suffered by farmers in recent seasons. Chairing a review meeting at the Bapatla Collectorate on Wednesday with officials from MARKFED, the Agriculture Department, and private buyers, Mr. Murali said excessive cultivation—driven by unkept promises from companies—had led to market crashes, leaving farmers in distress. He warned that any violation of the ban, including nursery cultivation, would invite strict action, including destruction of crops. 'Even nursery cultivation of Black Burley tobacco is strictly prohibited,' he said, urging farmers to switch to more profitable alternatives. Reassuring farmers, the Collector said the government would stand by them and support those transitioning to sustainable crops. However, farmers who have already harvested Black Burley will be allowed to sell their produce to private buyers. He also cautioned growers against bringing tobacco with moisture content exceeding 20% to procurement centres and advised them to safeguard the crop from rain damage. Mr. Murali reaffirmed the administration's commitment to protecting farmer interests and assured procurement of every legally grown leaf this season.
