Latest news with #Muruganandam
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
T.N. Chief Secretary inspects flood mitigation projects at Pallikaranai
Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam inspected flood mitigation projects executed by the Water Resources Department (WRD) near the Pallikaranai marshland on Saturday (August 9, 2025), and instructed officials to expedite the work to minimise inundation before the onset of the Northeast monsoon. He inspected the ₹91-crore work to construct a 1.2-km-long channel that aimed at mitigating waterlogging in areas like Velachery's Vijaya Nagar and Ram Nagar, Semmencheri, and Perumbakkam, around the marshland. It would carry a portion of the floodwater from south Buckingham canal near Okkiam maduvu to the sea. According to the WRD, the channel, which would have the capacity to carry about 1,000 cubic feet per second of water, would reduce the burden on Okkiam Maduvu and Buckingham canal. The channel would travel along localities like Uthandi before draining into the sea. The project has been designed to handle the backflow of seawater due to tidal action. Mr. Muruganandam also reviewed the progress of the Greater Chennai Corporation's (GCC) project to restore Ramanthangal lake in Sholinganallur. The project is being implemented at a cost of ₹1.26 crore under the 'Namakku Namme' scheme. Senior officials from the WRD, GCC, and Chennai Metrowater were also present.
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
If a Chief Secretary does not obey court orders, who else will, asks Madras High Court judge
If the Chief Secretary of a State does not comply with a judicial order within the time stipulated by a court of law, how will other officials serving under him obey judicial orders in letter and spirit, asked Justice Battu Devanand of the Madras High Court on Monday (July 21, 2025). He posed the question during the hearing of suo motu contempt of court proceedings initiated against Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam and his predecessor Shiv Das Meena, now serving as chairperson of the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TNRERA). After both officers appeared before the court following the issuance of statutory notices, the judge observed that Mr. Muruganandam would not have needed to stand before the court if Mr. Meena had promptly complied with an order passed as early as September 19, 2023. Pointing out that Mr. Muruganandam had taken charge as Chief Secretary only on August 19, 2024, the judge said, he might not have come to know about the 2023 order until the present suo motu contempt proceedings were initiated against both officers in June 2025. The judge also expressed satisfication with the steps taken by Mr. Muruganandam to implement the court order pursuant to the contempt proceedings, but questioned as to why Mr. Meena had not taken steps to implement the order between September 2023 and August 2024. Justice Devanand recalled to have recorded his appreciation for Mr. Meena two years ago, in another case, for having issued a circular instructing all government officials to comply with court orders in true letter and spirit and also within the time stipulated by the court for their implementation. 'Now, the same officer is standing before the court for not implementing his own circular,' the judge remarked. Nevertheless, he closed the suo motu contempt proceedings after accepting the unconditional apology and being satisfied with steps taken by Mr. Muruganandam to implement the 2023 order. What is the contempt case about? Then, Justice Devanand had directed the Chief Secretary to constitute an expert committee for recommending necessary amendments to the Tamil Nadu Civil Service (Appointment on Compassionate Grounds) Rules, 2023, since the existing provisions suffered from various infirmities. The judge had also ordered that the committee should consider fixing a time frame for providing compassionate employment to the dependants of government employees who died in service and consider the possibility of maintaining a district-wise list of dependants eligible for compassionate appointment. He had also called for an action-taken report from the Chief Secretary within three months. However, in June 2025, the judge learnt that his 2023 direction had not been complied with and therefore, he initiated suo motu contempt against all those who held the post of Chief Secretary since then. After Mr. Muruganandam reported that he had now constituted the committee and also submitted the minutes of its meetings, the judge recorded his submissions and closed the contempt proceedings with a direction to submit the amended statutory rules before the court after two weeks.
News18
17-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Bharat Bandh In Tamil Nadu: Are Chennai Schools Closed Today?
1/7 A nationwide general strike is scheduled for July 9, with demonstrators calling for the fulfilment of a 17-point charter of demands, notably the reinstatement of the old pension scheme for central and state government employees. 2/7 In Tamil Nadu, 13 trade unions, including the DMK-affiliated Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) and the CITU, which is associated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist), have declared their support. 3/7 Due to the involvement of the ruling DMK's trade union, bus services across Tamil Nadu, including those in Chennai, are expected to be significantly disrupted. Conversely, the Anna Trade Union, affiliated with the opposition AIADMK, is not participating, suggesting a limited number of buses may still operate. As the majority of auto-rickshaw workers are associated with the CITU, auto services are also likely to be severely affected. However, as traders' associations have not endorsed the strike, most shops and commercial establishments are expected to function normally. The banking and insurance sectors have confirmed their participation in the strike. 5/7 Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Muruganandam has issued a stern warning that any state government employees or teachers who join the strike will face withheld salaries and departmental disciplinary action. Meanwhile, the strike's impact on schools remains uncertain. In response, many schools across Tamil Nadu have announced closures for the day. In Puducherry, most private schools are expected to remain shut, though no formal communication has been issued regarding government institutions.
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
T.N. Chief Secretary reviews civic and infra works in Perumbakkam, South Chennai
Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam on Saturday, assessed the solid waste management and drinking water supply connectivity at the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) units at Perumbakkam. He also inspected multiple civic infrastructure works, underground sewer projects, road restoration, pond desilting, and lake rejuvenation undertaken by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB). He met the people and members of the resident welfare association of the tenements. The garbage collection work has improved since GCC took over the work earlier this year. The process to provide sewage and water supply connections to all units by CMWSSB is also progressing, the Chief Secretary said. Further, the public informed him of poor network and wifi connectivity. He assured them that the government would talk with leading companies to improving network connectivity. He said that initiatives under the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC), such as Naan Mudhalvan Finishing School Scheme, tailoring, and other trades focusing on youth were also needed for the residents. A skill institute was being established currently at Perumbakkam by the CMDA. Later, he reviewed the CMWSSB underground drainage project for an estimated ₹99.71 crore at Ramachandran Street and Bangala Thoppu Main Road in Mugalivakkam. He checked the desilting of the canal in Adyar Zone for an estimated ₹30 lakh, work at two ponds near the MRTS area for ₹32.14 lakh, roadworks from Velachery to Perungudi MRTS Station and on MGR Road, worth ₹8.09 crore. Mr. Muruganandam also inspected the rejuvenation of Sri Raman Thangal Eri in Sholinganallur Zone. Chennai Corporation Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran, Highways and Minor Ports Department Secretary R. Selvaraj, Metrowater Managing Director D. J. Vinay, TNUHDB Managing Director Shreya P. Singh, Regional Deputy Commissioner (South) Aftab Rasool, and other officials were present.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Age concession for direct recruitment into T.N. government service to remain till September 2026
The State government has decided to allow the one-time concession in maximum age limit for various competitive exams for direct recruitment into government service till September next year. In view of the delay in conducting various exams due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State government in September 2021 issued orders enhancing the maximum age limit for direct recruitment by two years. In a recent communication, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam clarified that the decision was a 'one-time concession' and added that this would be applicable only to recruitment by various agencies and appointing authorities (made through notification) till September 12, 2026. Necessary amendments to the special rules/ad hoc rules be needed in this regard by the respective departments, Mr. Muruganandam added. The communication has been sent to all government departments, Collectors, the Madras High Court, the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, the Teachers Recruitment Board, the Medical Services Recruitment Board, the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board, and the Tamil Nadu Forest Uniformed Services Recruitment Board, among others. In 2021, the then Minister for Finance and Human Resources Management had announced the one-time age concession in the Assembly. The Human Resources Management Department on September 13, 2021 issued orders for the same. However, it did not specify as to how long the concession would remain in effect. Meanwhile, some government departments raised doubts if the relaxation continued to be in place. The Chief Secretary's clarification was in response to these concerns. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had announced that several thousand posts in the government service would be filled.
