Latest news with #TamilNaduAssembly
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Retrieval of Katchchatheevu is the only permanent solution to T.N. fishermen's woes, reiterates CM Stalin
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday (May 28, 2025) said that retrieving Katchchatheevu from Sri Lanka could be the only permanent solution to the issues faced by fishermen in the State. He also recalled the recent special resolution adopted by the Tamil Nadu Assembly, insisting on the retrieval of the islet from the neighbouring island nation. 'Over the past four years, 1,383 fishermen have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy and 185 boats confiscated in 97 incidents. I have written 76 letters to the Prime Minister and the Union Minister for External Affairs, requesting to secure the release of the arrested fishermen and their boats,' Mr. Stalin said, while addressing a government function at Tiruvottiyur near Chennai. Whenever he has met the Prime Minister and the Union Minister for External Affairs, he has raised these issues with them, Mr. Stalin said, and underlined the efforts of the MPs from the DMK and its allies in urging the Union government on this issue in Parliament. 'Only because we kept raising this issue, 1,354 fishermen have been released so far. We have been continuously taking steps to bring back the remaining 29 fishermen. The Sri Lankan government has not released 229 boats that have been confiscated since 2018,' Mr. Stalin said. While efforts, including a political campaign to retrieve Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka, were on, Mr. Stalin said on the other hand, the government has provided aid to the affected owners of boats — ₹5 lakh each to 129 owners of mechanised boats and ₹1.5 lakh to 26 owners of country craft. The aid has since been increased to ₹6 lakh and then to ₹8 lakh, he said. Projects inaugurated During the event, the Chief Minister inaugurated 13 projects that have been completed at a total cost of ₹596 crore and launched special programmes for the welfare of fishermen in Palk Bay. He launched 'Alaigal' to provide micro loans to women groups and also began the distribution of welfare measures to the tune of ₹10 crore to over 2,200 beneficiaries. Mr. Stalin said that of the seven fishing harbours that were to be established at a total cost of ₹258 crore, four were completed and have come into use, while steps were on to complete the remaining projects. Ministers Anitha R. Radhakrishnan and P.K. Sekarbabu; North Chennai MP Kalanidhi Veeraswamy; legislators K.P. Shankar, S. Sudharsanam, R.D. Shekar, Thayagam Kavi, Durai Chandrasekar, Katharbatcha Muthuramalingam, M.K. Mohan, Joseph Samuel, J.J. Ebenezer, Idream R. Murthy; and senior officials were present.
New Indian Express
11-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Three-day rose show begins in Ooty
NILGIRIS: As part of the summer festival, the 20th Rose Show began at the Government Rose Garden in Ooty on Saturday. Chief Whip of Tamil Nadu Assembly K Ramachandran inaugurated the three-day show in the presence of Kumaravel Pandian, Director of Horticulture and Plantation Crops Department, and Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru, Nilgiris Collector. The main attraction of the show is a 22-foot-tall pair of dolphins created using 80,000 roses. Likewise, thousands of roses were also used for designing other aquatic creatures such as an Olive Ridley turtle, penguin, dugong, seahorse and starfish. Tourists, especially children, were attracted by the fish daughter, clownfish and pearl oyster displays. Speaking at the inauguration, Ramachandran said the Rose Garden, which was established in 1995 by the Horticulture and Plantation Crops Department as part of the 100th flower show held at the Government Botanical Garden (GBG), has developed into a world-famous Rose park. Initially, 1,919 varieties of 17,526 roses were planted, and now it has gone up to 32,000 roses with 4,301 varieties, including rare ones. 'The 20th-year theme of the rose show is to ensure protection of sea creatures. A total of 7.25 lakh visitors visited last year's rose show,' said Ramachandran, who requested the people to pay a visit to the show, which will conclude on Monday. Ramachandran also said the state government will renovate the walking path in the surroundings of the Ooty Lake and the Kodappamund Channel at a cost of `3 crore, along with restoration of the Bykara Road.
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.
Hans India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Stalin confident of retaining power
Chennai: On the concluding day of the Tamil Nadu Assembly session, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed confidence that the DMK would return to power for a seventh term. Wrapping up the debate in the House, Stalin highlighted his government's achievements over the past four years, declaring that the state is entering a 'golden period' under the Dravidian model of governance. CM Stalin credited the government's performance to dedicated and consistent efforts, noting that Tamil Nadu has recorded a 9.6 per cent economic growth rate, according to Union Government statistics. Reflecting on the legacy of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, CM Stalin said that had his father been alive, he would have described the current tenure as one of the notable achievements. He added that his administration continues to be guided by Karunanidhi's vision and ideals. The session also saw members of alliance parties raise pressing concerns. Tamizhaga Vaazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) leader and MLA T. Velmurugan highlighted environmental issues related to mining operations by the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) in Neyveli.
