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New Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu has contributed much to India's defence, says Minister Regupathy
PUDUKKOTTAI: Minister for Natural Resources S Regupathy on Sunday said no one in Tamil Nadu or anywhere in India would support Pakistan. Speaking to reporters, he said, 'In Tamil Nadu or anywhere else in India, no one will support Pakistan. Anyone who does, cannot call themselves Indian.' Furthermore, he said Tamil Nadu has made significant contribution to the country's defence spending (by way of taxes), even though it receives less in return. On the contentious sand mining issue, the minister clarified that the case is pending before the Supreme Court and that the state will comply fully with the court's directions. Pointing out that the price of construction materials like M-sand and P-sand have already been reduced from Rs 5,000 to Rs 4,000, the minister said steps would be taken to reduce it further. Answering a question about concerns raised by retired IAS officer U Sagayam about his safety, the minister said he can depose through video conference as per court order and the government will provide him protection if required. 'Our government stands by those who come forward to tell the truth,' he added.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Min assures security to ex-IAS officer
Trichy: Mineral resources minister S Regupathy on Sunday said the govt will provide full security to the former IAS officer who investigated the granite scam ."The govt will not allow anyone to intimidate the former IAS officer. It will always protect those who come forward to speak the truth," he told reporters in Pudukottai. He was responding to a question about former IAS officer U Sagayam citing security concerns to attend a hearing in the granite scam case, and a special court asking him to attend via video to a question about his new portfolio as mineral resources minister, Regupathy said a meeting was held on Saturday with all stakeholders. "Recently, the land fee for mining minerals was increased on orders from the Union govt and the court. This is the reason for the rise in prices of construction materials. While the prices of m-sand and b-sand had already gone up, they have now been reduced. The govt will further reduce prices of construction materials wherever feasible," he said. The minister dismissed as baseless theories of anti-incumbency against the govt, and asserted that DMK would return to power next year."Part 2 of the Dravidian model of governance will begin with the 2026 regime. In the 2021 elections, some claimed that the stage was not set for M K Stalin. But he proved them wrong and created his own stage," he said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Time of India
5 injured in clash between two communities over petrol filling in Tamil Nadu's Pudukkottai
PUDUKKOTTAI: Tensions gripped Vadakadu village in Pudukottai after a minor altercation over filling petrol escalated into a violent clash between youths from the MBC and SC communities on Monday night, leaving at least five people injured and causing property damage. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, police have denied reports linking the violence to the Muthumariamman temple festival or caste-based tensions. According to police, the incident occurred on Monday night near an Indian Oil petrol station in the Alangudi area, where a verbal dispute broke out between two groups over who would fill petrol first. Although the groups initially dispersed, tensions flared again after members from one party followed the other to their residential area, leading to a physical confrontation. During the clash, a -roof house was set on fire, the window of a govt bus was smashed, and a two-wheeler was torched by miscreants. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media. Police said that the violence was fueled by intoxicated individuals from both sides and that an investigation is ongoing. By 1:30 a.m., law minister S Regupathy, Pudukkottai SP Abhishek Gupta, and Trichy DIG V Varun Kumar had visited the site. In a press release, police have also refuted claims circulating on social media about multiple houses being set ablaze in Dalit areas, people being attacked with sickles, and injuries to four policemen, including a police inspector. Meanwhile, police have detained 14 individuals, and security has been intensified in the area. Sources said a case has been filed under SC/ST atrocities prevention act based on a complaint from the SC community. The injured are being treated at Alangudi govt hospital and Pudukkottai govt medical college. Further investigation is underway.
New Indian Express
27-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Bill proposes invoking Goondas against medical waste dumpers
CHENNAI: Law Minister S Regupathy on Saturday introduced a bill to further amend the Goondas Act, 1982, by including clauses to punish those who dump bio-medical waste from the neighbouring states in Tamil Nadu, and to punish those indulging in economic offences. In the long title — Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Cyberlaw offenders, Drug offenders, Forest-offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders, Sand-offenders, Sexual-offenders, Slum-grabbers and Video Pirates Act, 1982 — commonly known as the Goondas Act, 1982, the following expressions will be added: bio-medical waste offenders and economic offenders. Chief Minister MK Stalin, while moving the demand for grants for the police department for 2024-2025 last year, had said those indulging in economic offences will be detained under the Act, which would be amended. The present amended bill says the improper disposal of bio-medical waste poses grave risk to public health and environment. 'There are frequent complaints about the dumping of such waste in Tamil Nadu from the neighbouring states. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, in its order dated November 15, 2023, observed it is the right time to book the violators of the Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, by bringing in suitable amendments,' it says. The bill also says the IPC, 1860, and the CrPC, 1973, were repealed and re-enacted as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, respectively. Hence, certain consequential amendments are required to be made in the said Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982. The bill explained 'Bio-medical waste offender' means a person who disposes of or attempts to dispose of any bio-medical waste in contravention of the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, which is punishable under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. 'Economic offender' means a person, who commits or attempts to commit or abets the commission of any offence punishable under the Chit Funds Act, 1982, or the Tamil Nadu Protection of Interests of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act, 1997, or the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act, 2019.
New Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
TN Minister Senthil Balaji likely to resign; distribution of his portfolios could be different this time
CHENNAI: After The turn of events in the Assembly on Saturday also signalled that Balaji has decided to resign. The day's agenda issued in the morning said an amendment to the Goondas Act would be introduced by Balaji, but it was instead introduced by Law Minister S Regupathy, despite Balaji being present in the House. Though Balaji was arrested in a money-laundering case by the Enforcement Directorate in June 2023, he continued as a minister without portfolio until resigning in February 2024. His portfolio of electricity was then allotted to Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, who hails from the south, while prohibition and excise went to Housing Minister S Muthusamy, who hails from the same western region as Balaji. Party sources, however, said a minister from the central region is likely to get electricity this time, while prohibition and excise may again be given to Muthusamy. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin is slated to attend a grand government function on Sunday in Coimbatore, for which Balaji is the minister in-charge. This may be Balaji's last government event before resigning as minister. Later in the evening, Udhayanidhi will be speaking at the self-respect movement's centenary year conference organised by Dravida Iyakka Thamizhar Peravai. Sources said the announcement regarding Balaji's resignation could be expected after these events.
