Latest news with #Rule110
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
State nationalises works of five Tamil writers, provides Rs 10L compensation
CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday provided compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to two writers and the legal heirs of three more writers, whose works have been nationalised by the Tamil Nadu government. He presented the cheques to them at the valedictory event of the Tamil Week celebrations, being observed for the first time this year in honour of the eminent poet Bharathidasan. The five writers are Kavikko Abdul Rahman, Mervin, A Pazhani, Ko Ma Kodhandam and Pulavar Ilama Tamilnavan. The cheques were presented to the legal heirs of the first three writers while the latter two received them in person. The celebration of Tamil Week starting this year was announced by the CM in the Assembly on April 22 under Rule 110, designating April 29 to May 5 to celebrate Tamil language and literature. On Monday, Stalin also distributed prizes to students from government music and fine arts colleges who won competitions various competitions held in honour of poet Bharathidasan's legacy. A government release noted that, over the last four years, the DMK-led government has additionally nationalised the works of 32 distinguished Tamil writers and scholars, including Nannan, Silampoli Chellappan, Viduthalai Rajendran, Prof R Kumaravelan, and Mammathu, with Rs 3.79 crore disbursed as compensation for 1,442 books. Ministers Duraimurugan, M Saminathan, P K Sekarbabu, R S Rajakannappan, Ma Subramanian, and other elected representatives also took part.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Residents face hardships as Gummidipoondi bus depot project remains non-starter for 12 years
The Gummidipoondi bus depot project, announced in the Tamil Nadu Assembly under Rule 110 in 2013 by then Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, continues to remain a non-starter, causing significant hardships to residents of the area. The project involves acquiring over four acres of land in Pethikuppam village, Gummidipoondi taluk, in Thiruvallur district, located along the front face of National Highway 16. 'The absence of a dedicated bus depot has created challenges for daily commuters, affecting the livelihoods and well-being of our community members,' said S. Suresh Babu, president of the Billakuppam Village Welfare Association. 'The lack of a proper facility has not only reduced public transport efficiency but also increased travel time and passenger inconvenience,' he added. Frequency of local buses Gummidipoondi has its own bus stand located in the middle of the town, in a densely populated area. However, the frequency of local bus services to Chennai is lower than required. Moreover, long-distance buses stop on the National Highway, which is about one and a half kilometers away from the bus stand, causing inconvenience to the public. K. Munirathinam, a CPI(M) party functionary from the town, said, 'We are not well connected to the city, the district headquarters Thiruvallur, or nearby areas. One has to walk one and half kilometers from the town or take another vehicle catch long-distance buses on the National Highway. Most such long-distance buses do not come into the town.' He added that over 10,000 workers are employed at the SIPCOT near Gummidipoondi and most of them hail from other districts. Like locals, they are also facing difficulty commuting from the town. 'We have a bus stand inside the town, which connects it to several panchayats in and around the area. People from 61 panchayats use the bus stand as a connecting point. At present, the bus stand does not have a shelter for passengers to protect them from the scorching sun or the rains during monsoons. There are no bus bays either. It lacks basic amenities,' complained M. Kannan, a resident of Gummidipoondi. When asked about these complaints, DMK MLA T.J. Govindarajan had said in the Assembly, 'I have raised the question of setting up the proposed bus depot and bus stand off the National Highway.' New bus stand Replying to Mr. Govindarajan's question, Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar had said, taking into account the financial situation, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) depot will be set up in Gummidipoondi this year. There is a bus stand in Gummidipoondi town, where very few buses can be parked. 'So, the District Collector has identified a premise in Pethikuppam village for setting up a new bus stand, where buses will be operated to Chennai city. Both the bus stand and depot will be set up this year,' he said.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Residents face hardships as Gummidipoondi bus depot project remains stalled after 12 years
The Gummidipoondi bus depot project, announced in the Tamil Nadu Assembly under Rule 110 in 2013 by then Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, continues to remain a non-starter, causing significant hardships to residents of the area. The project involves acquiring over four acres of land in Pethikuppam village, Gummidipoondi taluk, in Thiruvallur district, located along the front face of National Highway 16. 'The absence of a dedicated bus depot has created challenges for daily commuters, affecting the livelihoods and well-being of our community members,' said S. Suresh Babu, president of the Billakuppam Village Welfare Association. 'The lack of a proper facility has not only reduced public transport efficiency but also increased travel time and passenger inconvenience,' he added. Frequency of local buses Gummidipoondi has its own bus stand located in the middle of the town, in a densely populated area. However, the frequency of local bus services to Chennai is lower than required. Moreover, long-distance buses stop on the National Highway, which is about one and a half kilometers away from the bus stand, causing inconvenience to the public. K. Munirathinam, a CPI(M) party functionary from the town, said, 'We are not well connected to the city, the district headquarters Thiruvallur, or nearby areas. One has to walk one and half kilometers from the town or take another vehicle catch long-distance buses on the National Highway. Most such long-distance buses do not come into the town.' He added that over 10,000 workers are employed at the SIPCOT near Gummidipoondi and most of them hail from other districts. Like locals, they are also facing difficulty commuting from the town. 'We have a bus stand inside the town, which connects it to several panchayats in and around the area. People from 61 panchayats use the bus stand as a connecting point. At present, the bus stand does not have a shelter for passengers to protect them from the scorching sun or the rains during monsoons. There are no bus bays either. It lacks basic amenities,' complained M. Kannan, a resident of Gummidipoondi. When asked about these complaints, DMK MLA T.J. Govindarajan had said in the Assembly, 'I have raised the question of setting up the proposed bus depot and bus stand off the National Highway.' New bus stand Replying to Mr. Govindarajan's question, Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar had said, taking into account the financial situation, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) depot will be set up in Gummidipoondi this year. There is a bus stand in Gummidipoondi town, where very few buses can be parked. 'So, the District Collector has identified a premise in Pethikuppam village for setting up a new bus stand, where buses will be operated to Chennai city. Both the bus stand and depot will be set up this year,' he said.
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Invoking his Dravidian model, Stalin showers sops on govt employees
In a sweeping set of announcements ahead of the scheduled Assembly polls next year, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday unveiled a nine-point package for government employees and teachers, a significant voter base numbering close to 10 lakh. Presenting the measures in the Assembly under Rule 110, Stalin positioned the Dravidian model government as the steadfast guardian of state workers' welfare, even as the political stakes rise. 'With your permission, I would like to make announcements regarding government employees under Rule 110,' Stalin began as the House responded with a round of desk-thumping. 'Our government employees are the pillars of administration and the arms of the government. Since this Dravidian model government assumed office, countless welfare schemes and developmental programs across various sectors have been implemented… Tamil Nadu stands at the forefront and leads in various aspects across India.' Stalin's speech, a mix of ritualistic praise and specific policy, left little doubt about the government's intent: 'The tireless work and sincere contribution of government employees and teachers is a very important reason for this. On behalf of the government of Tamil Nadu and personally, I would like to appreciate and congratulate each government employee who ensures the effective delivery of welfare schemes to all people, leaving no one behind,' he said. Stalin then launched into the heart of his address: 'At this moment, I wish to announce nine welfare measures for the benefit of government employees through your esteemed office.' Encashment of leaves 'During the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the heavy burden on government finances, the encashment of earned leave for government officers was suspended. In the Budget statement for 2025–2026, it was announced that this would be reintroduced from April 2026, allowing encashment of up to 15 days. However, government officers and teachers have requested implementation of this scheme within this financial year itself. After considering their request, I am pleased to announce in this House that earned leave encashment of up to 15 days will be allowed with effect from October 1, 2025.' This move, according to Stalin, is likely to benefit eight lakh government employees and teachers, and cost the state an additional Rs 3,561 crore annually. 'Based on the decision of the Union government to grant a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance from January 1, 2025, I am pleased to announce that Tamil Nadu state government employees will also receive a 2% hike in Dearness Allowance from January 1, 2025.' 'Approximately 16 lakh government officers, teachers, pensioners, and family pensioners will benefit from this. An additional Rs. 1,252 crore per year will be spent to implement this hike.' Doubling of festival advance 'To help government officers and teachers celebrate festivals joyfully with their families, the existing festival advance of Rs 10,000 will be doubled to Rs 20,000.' The move is likely to benefit about eight lakh government employees and teachers every year. Hike in education advance 'The education advance provided to government employees will be enhanced to Rs 1,00,000 for vocational studies and to Rs 50,000 for arts, science, and polytechnic courses.' 'Manifold increase' in marriage allowance Stalin announced a 'manifold increase' in the marriage advance for all government employees and teachers, raising it from Rs 10,000 for women and Rs 6,000 for men to a uniform Rs 5 lakh for all. Other key decisions Other highlights included doubling the Pongal festival gift for C and D group pensioners and family pensioners from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000, raising the festival advance for pensioners from Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000, and instructing a committee to submit its report on the state's three pension schemes by September 30. Crucially, the CM also addressed a long-pending grievance affecting thousands of women government employees: 'Earlier, the maternity leave for married government women employees was increased from 9 months to 1 year with salary from July 1, 2021. However, under current rules, the maternity leave period is not counted towards the probationary period, which has affected thousands of young women employees, delaying their confirmation and depriving them of promotions and seniority. In order to protect the rights of women in government service, and in line with this government's commitment to women's advancement, I am pleased to announce that, henceforth, the period of maternity leave will be counted towards the probationary period.' Concluding his address on a note of Dravidian pride: 'Following the footsteps of Kalaignar (late M Karunanidhi), the scholar of three Tamil traditions, this Dravidian model government will continue to act as the shield of government employees and as a government deeply concerned about their welfare – it will continue – continue – continue.' The package, amounting to thousands of crores in new spending, is widely seen as a direct pitch to a formidable vote bank – Tamil Nadu's government employees, teachers, and pensioners, whose families together influence at least more than 20 to 30 lakh votes.
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
T.N. pensioners' association voices disappointment over unfulfilled promises
The Tamil Nadu Government All Department Pensioners' Association has expressed disappointment over Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's nine announcements made under Rule 110 in the State Assembly on Monday, warning that their dissatisfaction could impact the government's prospects in the 2026 election. In a release, the association's district secretary, V. Panneerselvam, said that as per the announcements, government staff can now surrender up to 15 days of earned leave (EL) for a cash benefit. 'The EL surrender system was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its restoration now is much delayed,' the release said. It added that the announcements have upset government employees, pensioners, and family pensioners who have long been urging the government to address their demands. The release also highlighted the recent hike in MLAs' monthly pensions, their family pensions, and the increase in medical allowances for former MLAs and members of the Legislative Council. 'The DMK, in its election manifesto, had promised the restoration of the old pension scheme, an additional 10% pension for those above 70 years of age, and a revamp of the medical insurance scheme. However, Mr. Stalin has failed to announce any measures regarding these promises,' the release said. It further noted that the promised minimum wage of ₹7,850 for anganwadi workers and other categories of workers has not been fulfilled. 'The collective disappointment will be reflected in the 2026 Assembly election,' the release concluded.
