Latest news with #S.Muthusamy
The Hindu
02-08-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Minor leak in LBP canal to be fixed in two days, says Minister Muthusamy
Minister for Housing, Prohibition and Excise S. Muthusamy on Saturday said the minor leakage in the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) canal at the bridge at Vandipalayam in Sathyamangalam taluk would be rectified within two days. Water was released from the Bhavanisagar Dam on July 31 to irrigate 1,03,500 acres in Erode, Karur, and Tiruppur districts. On Friday, a leakage was noticed at the bottom of the bridge located at the 13th mile of the canal. At the time, 1,000 cusecs of water was being discharged. Despite the leak, discharge into the canal was not stopped, and officials from the Water Resources Department began repair works immediately. On Saturday, the Minister, along with District Collector S. Kandasamy and Erode East MLA V.C. Chandhirakumar, inspected the repair works. Mr. Muthusamy told media persons repair and maintenance works had been carried out along a 74-mile stretch of the canal prior to the release of water to ensure smooth flow. 'However, during routine monitoring, a leak was found on the side portion below the Thottipalayam bridge. There is no major damage, and engineers have said that the issue is minor and will be fixed within two days,' he said. Executive Engineer Gopi (Public Works Department), Assistant Executive Engineer P. Thirumoorthy (Lower Bhavani Basin Division), assistant engineers, and officials accompanied the Minister during the inspection.
The Hindu
02-08-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Nalam Kakkum Stalin scheme to boost public health awareness, says Minister Muthusamy
Despite the implementation of several welfare schemes over the past four-and-a-half-years, the newly launched Nalam Kakkum Stalin scheme is seen as particularly significant as it directly promotes public health awareness and preventive care, said Minister for Housing, Prohibition and Excise S. Muthusamy here on Saturday (August 2, 2025). The Minister inaugurated the scheme at the Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Vellode, in the presence of District Collector S. Kandasamy and MLA V.C. Chandhirakumar. As part of the initiative, 45 health camps have been planned across the district. Speaking to media persons, the Minister highlighted the ongoing success of the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam initiative, which has delivered mobile medical services to various sections of the population. 'Of the three lakh people invited for cancer screening, over 1.5 lakh have already been tested. Among them, 32 individuals were diagnosed with cancer and are currently receiving treatment,' he said. However, he clarified that this does not indicate a high prevalence of cancer in the district. Responding to AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami's allegation that 2,000 Amma Mini Clinics were closed under the DMK regime, the Minister refuted the claim. He asserted that the current government's doorstep healthcare initiative is fully functional, adequately staffed, and equipped with essential medicines. Addressing concerns over reports of kidney trafficking, Mr. Muthusamy said the government had identified isolated incidents and initiated firm action. Investigations into the medical institutions allegedly involved are ongoing, and strict measures are being taken wherever malpractice is confirmed. Commenting on the Madras High Court directive prohibiting the use of Chief Ministers' images in government welfare advertisements, the Minister said, 'The government will strictly follow the court's order. There is no need to advertise using the Chief Minister's image—everyone, from children to adults, knows M.K. Stalin is the Chief Minister.'
The Hindu
31-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Water released from Bhavanisagar Dam into LBP canal for first crop season
Water was released from the Bhavanisagar Dam into the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) canal on Thursday to irrigate 1,03,500 acres in the districts of Erode, Tiruppur, and Karur for the first crop season. Minister for Housing, Prohibition and Excise S. Muthusamy and Minister for Information and Publicity M.P. Saminathan opened the dam shutters to release the water at 6.50 p.m., in the presence of Collector S. Kandasamy, MLAs A.G. Venkatachalam (Anthiyur), C. Saraswathi (Modakkurichi), and V.C. Chandhirakumar (Erode East), Mayor S. Nagarathinam, officials from the Water Resources Department, and representatives of farmers' associations. Addressing the media, Mr. Muthusamy said water would be released for 15 days, from Thursday until August 14, for special wetting of crops. The regular release for irrigation will commence on August 15 and continue for 120 days. He noted that water is usually released on August 15 each year, but this year, due to the discharge of surplus water into the Bhavani River, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin directed early release to ensure it is used productively for agriculture. Of the total 124-mile length of the LBP canal, renovation work has been completed for 74 miles, and the remaining work in 50 mile is expected to be completed within four days, the Minister added. Responding to a question on whether surplus water from the dam would be diverted to fill water bodies, Mr. Muthusamy said the quantum of surplus water released each year needs to be studied and appropriate steps would be taken based on the findings. When asked whether water could be stored at the Orathupalayam Dam, Mr. Saminathan said the Madras High Court had issued orders restricting water storage at the dam. 'However, as the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level has dropped significantly, a technical team from Anna University is currently conducting a study. The report will be submitted in a month, after which the court will be approached to consider lifting the restriction,' he said.
The Hindu
31-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Erode Book Festival 2025 to be inaugurated on Friday
The Erode Book Festival 2025, jointly organised by the district administration and Makkal Sinthanai Peravai, will be inaugurated on Friday evening (August 1, 2025) at Chikkaiah Government Arts and Science College in Veerappanchatiram. Minister for Housing, Prohibition and Excise, S. Muthusamy, will inaugurate the festival in the presence of Collector S. Kandasamy, elected representatives, and officials. The festival will be held from August 1 to 12, featuring 230 stalls, each with a unique theme. Renowned publishers from other States and countries are expected to participate. The festival will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. Prominent speakers and scholars will deliver lectures and interact with visitors every evening throughout the festival.
The Hindu
24-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Government committed to gradual reduction of TASMAC outlets: Minister Muthusamy
Minister for Housing, Prohibition and Excise, S. Muthusamy, on Thursday (July 24, 2025) reiterated that the State government is committed to the gradual reduction of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) liquor outlets. He said the 500 outlets that have already been closed would neither be reopened nor relocated. Addressing mediapersons, the Minister responded to opposition allegations concerning the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) actions related to TASMAC offices. 'Let them present what violations the ED has found. If any wrongdoing is identified, corrective action will be taken,' he said. He added that there was no evidence of unpaid excise duty or government inaction. 'If minor lapses have occurred, they are individual errors, and necessary action has already been taken by the TASMAC administration,' he noted. Reaffirming the government's approach, Mr. Muthusamy said the aim is to phase out TASMAC outlets in a way that avoids negative social consequences. 'A sudden shutdown could drive people toward illegal or unsafe alternatives. Hence, the government is proceeding responsibly,' he said. Defending the government's public outreach initiatives, including the Ungaludan Stalin programme, which was criticised by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the Minister said that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has been receiving petitions directly from the public across various platforms for the past four-and-a-half years. 'As the volume of petitions increased, it placed significant pressure on officials. The Ungaludan Stalin scheme was introduced to streamline grievance redressal. Monitoring officers have been appointed, and lakhs of petitions have already been resolved. This initiative is unprecedented in the State's administrative history,' he said. Responding to Mr. Palaniswami's accusation that the DMK has 'swallowed' the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Mr. Muthusamy said, 'The DMK and VCK share a strong alliance. All coalition partners are united. The DMK treats every ally equally and respects their leaders. That is why we have been able to maintain unity despite differences of opinion.'
