Page 7 - Tamil Nadu

Expecting good performance of BJP in Tamil Nadu in Lok Sabha polls: Nadda

BJP president JP Nadda who commenced his election campaign for 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu on December 27 has said that he expects the BJP and NDA to do extremely well

Mother-child duo, returning from China, test Covid positive in Tamil Nadu

A woman and her six-year-old daughter, who returned from China via Colombo, tested positive for COVID-19 at the Madurai airport in Tamil Nadu, a senior health official said on Wednesday. The woman, hailing from Virudhunagar near Madurai, and her daughter were subjected to RT-PCR test at the airport when they landed on Tuesday and the results turned positive for coronavirus, the official said. Both are under home isolation in Virudhunagar. Their samples would be sent to the state lab for whole genomic sequencing. On Tuesday, Tamil Nadu had reported 10 positive cases while the number of active cases remained at 51. The Tamil Nadu government had intensified the screening of all passengers who arrived at the four airports in the state immediately after the sudden surge in coronavirus cases in China and other countries. On Tuesday, state Health Minister Ma Subramanian, while inspecting a COVID-19 mock drill at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, here had said that the govern

Ensure enough opportunities for Tamils in govt offices, PSUs: TN CM Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has once again taken up with the Centre, his earlier demand for priority in appointment of native Tamils in Central Government Offices and its Public Sector Undertakings in the state. Writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Stalin said a memorandum had been submitted to the former last year, following that up with a letter flagging the matter to ensure adequate opportunities to the native Tamils. "I am sure, you would agree that adequate opportunities to people from all regions alone can ensure better service delivery besides regional representation and fulfill their aspiration to join in union government and Central Public Sector Undertakings at various levels. As you are aware, citizen centric administration, the sine qua non of good governance, requires free interface with public and only persons with familiarity in local language and culture fulfill it," he said. Further, Tamil Nadu has more human resources with comparatively higher knowledg

Tamil Nadu Congress on path of rejuvenation, gears up for 2024 LS polls

The state Congress party, which is slowly showing signs of a revival, will be highlighting the 'anti-people' activities of the Central government

It's safe to wear masks in crowded places: Tamil Nadu Health Minister

Tamil Nadu never announced any relaxation in following COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and it is safe to wear a mask in crowded places, state Health Minister Ma Subramanian said on Sunday amid a surge in coronavirus infections overseas. The minister said health department officials have been instructed to mandatorily take RT-PCR tests of all the passengers at the international airport who arrive from countries where the spread of infection has been high. Beginning Saturday, Tamil Nadu has resumed random testing of international passengers arriving at the airports in the state. "Wearing a mask, hand hygiene are already covered under COVID-19 protocols. We have not announced any kind of relaxation. All the COVID-19 standard operating procedures still remain. It is safe to wear a mask in crowded places like malls, air conditioned environments," he told reporters here. "Instead of discussing whether it is mandatory or not, it is safe to wear a mask to protect ourselves," he said. The .

IMD predicts rainfall, thunderstorms in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal

Moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning is likely to occur at isolated places over Tiruvallur, Chennai, Kanchipuram, and Thiruvarur districts of Tamil Nadu and Karaikal during next 1 to 3 hours

Tamil Nadu farmers demand govt to distribute sugarcane through ration shops

Sugarcane farmers of Tamil Nadu have demanded that the state government procure sugarcane directly from the farmers and distribute it through ration shops during Pongal

Amid rising Covid concerns, Tamil Nadu readies with oxygen, hospital beds

The Tamil Nadu health department is readying itself for any surge in Covid-19 cases after the new variant, Omicron BF7 was detected in the country

ED attaches Rs 55 cr worth of 'benami' land of DMK MP A Raja in Coimbatore

The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday said it has attached a "benami" asset worth Rs 55 crore of DMK MP A Raja -- 45 acres of land in Coimbatore district in Tamil Nadu -- under the anti-money laundering law. The federal agency said in a statement the land was purchased by a company allegedly linked to Raja, in lieu of granting environmental clearance to a Gurugram-based real estate company by the leader during his stint as the Union minister for environment and forests between 2004-07. The land is held in the name of a "benami" company of Raja, the Enforcement Directorate said. Benami means 'no name' or 'without name' and such properties are those in which the real beneficiary is not the one in whose name the property has been purchased. The 59-year-old Raja is currently a DMK MP from the Nilgiris Lok Sabha seat. The politician has been earlier in the cross hairs of the ED when his role was investigated and a charge sheet was filed against him by the agency in connection with it

TN govt announces Rs 1,000 as Pongal gift for ration card holders

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has directed providing Rs 1,000 to ration card holders in the state on the occasion of Pongal harvest festival next month, the state government said on Thursday. All 'Rice' ration card holders will be eligible for the largesse which will also apply to the families residing in Sri Lankan Rehabilitation Camps, an official release here said. One kg each rice and sugar will also be provided to the beneficiaries. As many as 2.19 crore ration card holders will benefit from the move that will entail an expenditure of Rs 2,356.67 crore, the release added. Stalin will launch the Pongal Gift scheme here on January 2. The festival will be celebrated on January 15.

Covid-19: TN health deptt issues alert against new Omicron variant BF.7

The TN health department has issued an alert to all the District Medical Officers against the reported Omicron variant BF.7 and the increase in the number of Covid positive cases in several countries

10 villages cut off due to heavy landslide in Nilgiris district in TN

Ten villages around Kukkalthorai near here in Nilgiris district were cut off from main stream on Thursday, following heavy landslide on Kothagiri road, officials said. The roads connecting the 10 villages with towns were completely buried in the debris, totally paralysing the vehicular movement in the villages, coming under Udhagamandalam Panchayat, they said. Tea gardens and agricultural lands in and around Kothagiri were also washed away due to the landslide spread over 200 metres near Uyilhatti falls, affecting 10 villages, they added. Preliminary inquiry revealed that stagnation of water in farm lands, construction of water tanks and ponds, as the main reason for the landslide, the official sources said. Officials and workers from highway department, district administration, police and fire and rescue department rushed to the spot to assist the clearing of the debris. However, the operations were affected fearing possibility of landslide while removing the debris, they sai

Centre to move 3 Bills in RS to modify ST list in TN, Himachal, Karnataka

The Central government is set to move three bills in the Rajya Sabha later on Thursday to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in relation to the states of Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka

One cr people benefitted from health at doorstep scheme, says TN minister

Tamil Nadu health minister Ma Subramanian said incentives would be provided to all those who work for the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam scheme

Airport project will hit agriculture, rural economy, say farmers to TN govt

Acquisition of land in their villages, for setting up a greenfield airport at Parandur, would lead to 'destruction' of agriculture and eliminate the region's 'self-reliant' economy, farmers opposing the project in their backyard said in a representation to the Tamil Nadu government. The project area covers 'bird migration routes' and it is closer to INS Rajali Naval Air Station and hence not suitable for airport, they said. The flow of water of a natural water channel, that carries surplus flood waters to Kosasthalai river, would be prevented leading to inundation of 30 surrounding villages and 'incalculable farm and economic losses' considering flooding. The project would lead to complete displacement of people in five villages, including the ancient Ekanapuram village. "We will be left with grief and pain," as there will be no suitable livelihood opportunities elsewhere, they said. Listing out several such factors against setting up the airport in their neighbourhood, farmers of

HC suggests Tamil Nadu govt to consider conducting TNMC election online

The Madras High Court has suggested to the State government to conduct elections to the Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) through online/ e-voting. Justice R Subramanian gave the suggestion while disposing two writ petitions from Dr S Syed Thahir Hussain of Madurai and another, today Earlier in the first week of this month, the judge had directed the government to postpone the elections to the Council by three months. This interim order passed on December 6 was based on the submission by Advocate-General R Shamugasundaram that the Tamil Nadu Medical Registration Act governing the elections and other issues will be thoroughly revised in three months. Recording the submission, the judge had directed the government to revisit the 1914 Act within three months and to conduct the elections thereafter. The petitions sought to quash the notification dated October 19, 2022, which notified elections to the TNMC Election and prayed for a direction to the State Chief Secretary and the Health

Larsen & Toubro commits Rs 11 cr to support over 100 schools in Tamil Nadu

Engineering and construction conglomerate, Larsen and Toubro has committed Rs 11 crore to support over 100 schools in Tamil Nadu under the government's 'Namma School' initiative, the company said on Tuesday. The funds are aimed at benefitting government schools in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Coimbatore, Salem, Namakkal, Tiruvallur, Sivaganga, Tirunelveli, Chengalpet and Vellore. To be utilised in the current financial year, the funds would help develop and build on a range of on-going activities including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education through its corporate social responsibility programme - Engineering Futures. Chief Minister M K Stalin formally rolled out the 'Namma School' initiative on December 19. "It is an honour to partner with the Tamil Nadu government to take these activities to fruition and we express our sincere thanks for the opportunity to help the children of government schools in the state and contribute significantly to build a better India," a

Demand crunch: Textile sector bats for stimulus, cotton import duty removal

There is a shortage of demand for textile goods globally due to the Ukraine-Russia war

In a first in Tamil Nadu, mobile electric crematorium launched in Erode

While mobile electric crematoriums are common in other states of India, Tamil Nadu will have its first one now

Agri lands won't be acquired for industrial parks: TN govt amid protest

Agriculture lands will not be acquired for Annur and Mettupalayam industrial park projects in Coimbatore district and instead barren lands will be acquired, Tamil Nadu government assured amidst protests by farmers and opposition parties in the state. Considering the demand of farmers, instead of agricultural lands, only 1,630 acres of barren lands owned by private companies will be acquired for setting up the industrial parks, the government said. Also, satisfactory compensation would be provided to farmers who come forward to willingly give their lands without any compulsion, a release from the industrial department said. Farmers from several villages in Annur and Mettupalayam taluks protested against the taking over of their cultivable lands for the industrial park projects. BJP state chief K Annamalai, who led his party in staging a project in Annur on December 8, claiming not even a handful of soil would be given to the project, reacted to the announcement thanking the ...