Sunday, June 29, 2014
writingonblog uncensored: CMDA to file report on collapse of 11-storied buil...
writingonblog uncensored: CMDA to file report on collapse of 11-storied buil...: C Shivakumar/ENS Chennai: Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority will be filing a report to the state government on the collapse...
CMDA to file report on collapse of 11-storied building
C Shivakumar/ENS
Chennai:
Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority will be filing a report to
the state government on the collapse of a 11-storied under
construction high rise building at Moulivakkam near Porur that killed five people and injured 20 others.
CMDA sources said a team is at the site collecting sample of the construction material used and a report would be submitted to the government.
The collapse of the building has sparked a controversy on whether the building was structurally sound and whether soil tests were conducted before the building sprang up.
Interestingly, CMDA officials have washed their hands stating that their job is only to sanction plans and it is the duty of structural engineer to give a certificate whether the building is sound or not.
But High Court appointed monitoring committee member M G Deivasahayam says that had CMDA accepted the recommendations of the committee then such sort of accidents wouldn’t have happened.
Deivasahayam said that the monitoring committee has recommended that architect of the building be made responsible for the structural defect. “We have suggested the international best practices where
architect should be filing continous reports about the state ofconstruction as well as whether there are any structural defects in the building. Based on these reports, CMDA should be giving the completion certificate,” he said. However, these recommendations never saw the light of the day, Deivasahayam said.
Interestingly, the collapse has also angered activists. Additional
secretary of All India Nirman Mazdoor Panchayat Sangh Geetha
Ramakrishnan questioned the lack of safety measures in the site. She
said the building does not have lightning conductor besides
questioning the structural stability of the building. She also
highlighted the plight of unregistered migrant workers who are
ineligible to get immediate relief from the welfare boards.
“When the welfare board is collecting levy, they should register the
migrant workers,” she said.
Interestingly, migrant workers are eligible for compensation under the
Workman’s Compensation Act. But it is a difficult process, she said.
Y Arul Doss of unorganized workers federation said that government has
formed a committee to provide identity cards to the migrant workers.
But it has yet to see the light of the day.
writingonblog uncensored: Krishna water talks to be held on June 30
writingonblog uncensored: Krishna water talks to be held on June 30: Chennai: Officials from Water Resources Department and Chennai Metro Water would be holding discussions with Andhra Pradesh officials seeki...
Krishna water talks to be held on June 30
Chennai:
Officials from Water Resources Department and Chennai Metro Water
would be holding discussions with Andhra Pradesh officials seeking
release of Krishna Water from July 1.
A Water Resource Department official told Express that after a letter
has been written to Andhra Pradesh seeking release of Krishna Water,
the meeting assumes significance.
This also comes in the wake of Krishna water supply to the city being
disrupted last month.
Tamil Nadu is entitled to get 12tmcft from Andhra Pradesh every water
year from June 1 to May 31st under the inter-state water sharing
agreement reached between the two states. While 4 tmcft would be
released between January-April, the remaining ought to be released
between July-October.
Interestingly, the city is not facing immediate water crisis thanks to
the contingency plan put up by Chennai Metro Water.
“We have water in the reservoir to last us for the next three months.
But we are not taking any chances,” said the WRD official.
Currently, the city has about 3.5TMC feet of water which is nearly one
TMC feet more than last year. Poondi reservoir has 112 million cubic
feet of water while Red Hills and Chembarambakkam reservoirs have 1308
million cubic feet and 1,102 million cubic feet of water.
Interestingly, Veeranam lake, which supplies water to the city has 1
TMC feet of water.
Interestingly, water amangers are pinning their hopes on good rains
next month. “This will reduce evaporation and our water situation
would improve,” a Metro water official said while welcoming the sudden
downpour on Saturday.
Friday, June 27, 2014
writingonblog uncensored: 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor in Kalpakkam...
writingonblog uncensored: 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor in Kalpakkam...: Use of reprocessed nuke fuel by new reactor will help reduce radioactive waste, say Scientists C Shivakumar Chennai: The integrated commis...
500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor in Kalpakkam a step away from attaining criticality
Use of reprocessed nuke fuel by new reactor will help reduce radioactive waste, say Scientists
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
The integrated commissioning of 500 mega watt Prototype Fast Breeder
Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam, which uses liquid sodium to cool the reactor, has
begun and the reactor will attain criticality in the next two to three
months, according to Prabhat Kumar, chairman and managing director of
Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI).
Kumar told Express on Thursday that the sodium is now being heated
below 95 degree Celsius before being transferred from the tank. He
said, “The integrated commissioning of the reactor has started on
Wednesday and we are trying to attain the criticality in the next few
months.”
Interestingly, for this reactor India has chosen the closed fuel cycle
option under which the spent fuel discharged from the reactor is
reprocessed and converted into indigenously developed unique
plutonium-rich mixed carbide fuel. Scientists state that fast breeder
reactors would make effective utilization of depleted uranium
available in the country, and use plutonium as a fuel with significant
reduction in radioactive waste.
Interestingly, construction has resumed to develop Fast Reactor Fuel
Cycle Facility (FRFCF) for recycling the fuel from PFBR, including
fuel fabrication and assembly, reprocessing and waste management.
The FRFCF has got the nod from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board on
February and construction of the facility is currently happening, says
P R Vasudeva Rao, director of Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research
(IGCAR).
He said India has several nuclear reprocessing plants which supply
fuel for thermal plants but this would be the only facility that would
reprocess fuel for fast breeder reactors in a large scale. The
facility is likely to be ready by 2017.
Rao said that initially tests were carried on pilot plant called CORAL
(Compact Reprocessing of Advanced fuels in Lead shielded cells,
formerly known as the Lead Mini Cell, LMC). “We learnt reprocessing of
fuel catering to PFBR in the last 10 to 15 years,” he said.
PFBR is also an important milestone for India’s three-stage nuclear
power programme. India has chosen the closed fuel cycle option in view
of its phased expansion of nuclear power generation extending through
the second and third stages, whereby full energy potential of Uranium
and Thorium can be exploited efficiently.
Interestingly, the cost of the reactor has also risen. Scientists
revealed that the price shot up by another Rs 2,100 crore after the
cost was revised to 5,600 crore from the initial cost of Rs 3,500
crore. This is mostly due to the increase in the cost of civil
construction, cost of equipments and commissioning
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
The integrated commissioning of 500 mega watt Prototype Fast Breeder
Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam, which uses liquid sodium to cool the reactor, has
begun and the reactor will attain criticality in the next two to three
months, according to Prabhat Kumar, chairman and managing director of
Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI).
Kumar told Express on Thursday that the sodium is now being heated
below 95 degree Celsius before being transferred from the tank. He
said, “The integrated commissioning of the reactor has started on
Wednesday and we are trying to attain the criticality in the next few
months.”
Interestingly, for this reactor India has chosen the closed fuel cycle
option under which the spent fuel discharged from the reactor is
reprocessed and converted into indigenously developed unique
plutonium-rich mixed carbide fuel. Scientists state that fast breeder
reactors would make effective utilization of depleted uranium
available in the country, and use plutonium as a fuel with significant
reduction in radioactive waste.
Interestingly, construction has resumed to develop Fast Reactor Fuel
Cycle Facility (FRFCF) for recycling the fuel from PFBR, including
fuel fabrication and assembly, reprocessing and waste management.
The FRFCF has got the nod from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board on
February and construction of the facility is currently happening, says
P R Vasudeva Rao, director of Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research
(IGCAR).
He said India has several nuclear reprocessing plants which supply
fuel for thermal plants but this would be the only facility that would
reprocess fuel for fast breeder reactors in a large scale. The
facility is likely to be ready by 2017.
Rao said that initially tests were carried on pilot plant called CORAL
(Compact Reprocessing of Advanced fuels in Lead shielded cells,
formerly known as the Lead Mini Cell, LMC). “We learnt reprocessing of
fuel catering to PFBR in the last 10 to 15 years,” he said.
PFBR is also an important milestone for India’s three-stage nuclear
power programme. India has chosen the closed fuel cycle option in view
of its phased expansion of nuclear power generation extending through
the second and third stages, whereby full energy potential of Uranium
and Thorium can be exploited efficiently.
Interestingly, the cost of the reactor has also risen. Scientists
revealed that the price shot up by another Rs 2,100 crore after the
cost was revised to 5,600 crore from the initial cost of Rs 3,500
crore. This is mostly due to the increase in the cost of civil
construction, cost of equipments and commissioning
Thursday, June 26, 2014
writingonblog uncensored: Sowcarpet fire accident an eye opener to the autho...
writingonblog uncensored: Sowcarpet fire accident an eye opener to the autho...: C Shivakumar/ ENS Chennai: A fire that engulfed a godown on Narayana Mudali street killing one person and the difficulty posed by the ...
Sowcarpet fire accident an eye opener to the authorities
C Shivakumar/ ENS
Chennai:
A fire that engulfed a godown on Narayana Mudali street killing one
person and the difficulty posed by the fire tenders to reach the spot
in time should be a warning to the Chennai Metropolitan Development
Authority and Chennai Corporation to redevelop the age old settlement,
according to M G Deivasahayam, a monitoring committee member.
Deivasahayam told Express that it is high time the government looked
at redeveloping the residential areas like Sowcarpet, Parrys, T Nagar,
Kodambakkam and other old settlements so that major tragedies could be
avoided.
The narrow lanes of Sowcarpet, which has several residential
multi-storied buildings has been converted into a commercial zone with
shops and godowns operating from these areas.
This has delayed the arrival of fire-tenders at the accident spot.
Eyewitnesses said the fire-engines faced the difficulty in entering
the narrow street which were lined with vehicles, including tricycles
and autorickshaws.
“The case is more or less similar to T Nagar,” he says. He says the
area requires re-development like it is being done in T Nagar.
Interestingly, the redevelopment of T Nagar is happening only in
commercial areas. “We have to look at residential areas here which
have been converted into commercial areas,” he said.
Interestingly, the buildings in the area violate the development
control rules, including floor space index besides front setbacks,
side setbacks and rear setbacks. Many of the buildings don’t have fire
fighting machinery like in the case of T Nagar buildings.
“It is like the area is waiting for a tragedy to happen,’ a planner said.
Interestingly, this comes in the wake of Chennai Metropolitan
Development facing a Hamletian dilemma to act against the illegal
buildings after the High court has quashed two Government Orders that
allowed regularization of illegal buildings built till July 1, 2007.
Deivasahayam, who opposed the two government orders, says there is the
need to demolish the illegal buildings rather than lock and seal them
as suggested by Justice Mohan committee recommendations.
Citing the example of demolition of Mumbai Campa Cola Society case,
Deivasahayam said Chennai authorities have to take a leaf from the
incident and act against the illegal buildings.
He said there is no point on dragging the issue so that the violators
could benefit. “This would result in chaos and more corruption,” he
warned.
Interestingly, a rough estimate suggests that there were about three
lakh buildings in the state which were unauthorisedly developed. Even
High Court has hit out on this issue stating that if that was the
position in the year 2000, now we are in the year 2014 and therefore,
the number of unauthorized constructions would have got increased
manifold.
Chennai:
A fire that engulfed a godown on Narayana Mudali street killing one
person and the difficulty posed by the fire tenders to reach the spot
in time should be a warning to the Chennai Metropolitan Development
Authority and Chennai Corporation to redevelop the age old settlement,
according to M G Deivasahayam, a monitoring committee member.
Deivasahayam told Express that it is high time the government looked
at redeveloping the residential areas like Sowcarpet, Parrys, T Nagar,
Kodambakkam and other old settlements so that major tragedies could be
avoided.
The narrow lanes of Sowcarpet, which has several residential
multi-storied buildings has been converted into a commercial zone with
shops and godowns operating from these areas.
This has delayed the arrival of fire-tenders at the accident spot.
Eyewitnesses said the fire-engines faced the difficulty in entering
the narrow street which were lined with vehicles, including tricycles
and autorickshaws.
“The case is more or less similar to T Nagar,” he says. He says the
area requires re-development like it is being done in T Nagar.
Interestingly, the redevelopment of T Nagar is happening only in
commercial areas. “We have to look at residential areas here which
have been converted into commercial areas,” he said.
Interestingly, the buildings in the area violate the development
control rules, including floor space index besides front setbacks,
side setbacks and rear setbacks. Many of the buildings don’t have fire
fighting machinery like in the case of T Nagar buildings.
“It is like the area is waiting for a tragedy to happen,’ a planner said.
Interestingly, this comes in the wake of Chennai Metropolitan
Development facing a Hamletian dilemma to act against the illegal
buildings after the High court has quashed two Government Orders that
allowed regularization of illegal buildings built till July 1, 2007.
Deivasahayam, who opposed the two government orders, says there is the
need to demolish the illegal buildings rather than lock and seal them
as suggested by Justice Mohan committee recommendations.
Citing the example of demolition of Mumbai Campa Cola Society case,
Deivasahayam said Chennai authorities have to take a leaf from the
incident and act against the illegal buildings.
He said there is no point on dragging the issue so that the violators
could benefit. “This would result in chaos and more corruption,” he
warned.
Interestingly, a rough estimate suggests that there were about three
lakh buildings in the state which were unauthorisedly developed. Even
High Court has hit out on this issue stating that if that was the
position in the year 2000, now we are in the year 2014 and therefore,
the number of unauthorized constructions would have got increased
manifold.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
writingonblog uncensored: Rs 3500 crore Japanese industrial township project...
writingonblog uncensored: Rs 3500 crore Japanese industrial township project...: Chennai: CHENNAI: Work has begun on the first phase of the much-touted `3,500 crore Japanese industrial township project that is coming u...
Rs 3500 crore Japanese industrial township project facing water crisis
Chennai:
CHENNAI: Work has begun on the first phase of the much-touted `3,500 crore Japanese industrial township project that is coming up near the Old Mahabalipuram Road. But Chennai’s biggest curse of water scarcity is already posing a challenge to the developers.
The OneHub Chennai Integrated Township project, earlier known as Omega Japanese Satellite township project, is coming up on 1,450 acres of land, about 50 kilometres outside the city.
Though the authorities have assured adequate supply of water, including the provision from the Nemmeli desalination plant, it remains to be seen whether the water managers will be able to keep the promise. The city which received scanty rainfall during the last monsoon is relying on Metro Water’s contingency measures.
Dominic Leong, general manager, OneHub Chennai, says that the project has received an assurance from the government on water supply in a phased manner.
“In the initial stage, we are looking at getting water through tankers to complement the supply from the Nemmeli plant,” he says.
Chennai Metro Water has already started examining the potential sources from which an assured supply can be made to the project. Industry sources add that the State Government is pondering over the idea of implementing a Singapore model, where waste water is treated and reused to ensure steady supply of recycled water to the industrial township.
The township project facilitated by the State Government has been set up by a Japanese consortium, comprising Mizuho Corporate Bank and JGC Corporation, in association with business space development company Ascendas.
The project obtained Environmental Impact Assessment clearance from the authorities and the first phase of work is on.
Leong says that the township will be developed in a phased manner and common infrastructure work is underway.
The project that is likely to be completed over a period of six to eight years will have industrial, business, commercial and residential spaces and amenities.
Leading Japanese companies like Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ajinomoto, and Takasago International Corporation have signed up and commenced development of their facilities.
The project is strategically located within Chennai’s IT and industrial corridor and is next to a few prestigious institutions of higher education.
Developers claim that the township will support a community of more than 1,40,000 people. More industries like food and pharma, automotive, electronics and consumer goods are expected to come up soon.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
writingonblog uncensored: Trade worth several crore hit as customs house cle...
writingonblog uncensored: Trade worth several crore hit as customs house cle...: Chennai: Several crores of rupees worth trade was hit on Monday after export and import of goods was affected following a day-long strike b...
Trade worth several crore hit as customs house clerks go on stir
Chennai:
Several crores of rupees worth trade was hit on Monday after export
and import of goods was affected following a day-long strike by
customs house clerks.
The customs house clerks staged protest and struck down work as top
customs officials tried to pacify them by holding closed door meetings
with them.
Chennai Custom House Agents Association president P S Krishnan said
the customs house clerks protested against the shortage of staff. The
issue was resolved in the evening.
A customs clerk told Express that the shortage of manpower is such
that a customs house clerk working in Madhavaram has to take care of
three container freight stations, including the one located at
Ponneri. “This is delaying the movement of cargo,” he said.
Interestingly, no cargo has been cleared from Chennai due to the
strike. A total of 1,500 import and export documents are cleared on a
single day but due to the strike none have been cleared.
Several crores of rupees worth trade was hit on Monday after export
and import of goods was affected following a day-long strike by
customs house clerks.
The customs house clerks staged protest and struck down work as top
customs officials tried to pacify them by holding closed door meetings
with them.
Chennai Custom House Agents Association president P S Krishnan said
the customs house clerks protested against the shortage of staff. The
issue was resolved in the evening.
A customs clerk told Express that the shortage of manpower is such
that a customs house clerk working in Madhavaram has to take care of
three container freight stations, including the one located at
Ponneri. “This is delaying the movement of cargo,” he said.
Interestingly, no cargo has been cleared from Chennai due to the
strike. A total of 1,500 import and export documents are cleared on a
single day but due to the strike none have been cleared.
writingonblog uncensored: Simplify DR to make e-governance in CMDA a success...
writingonblog uncensored: Simplify DR to make e-governance in CMDA a success...: Chennai: The e-governance project of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority to usher in transparency in approval of building plans c...
Simplify DR to make e-governance in CMDA a success, say builders
Chennai:
The e-governance project of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
to usher in transparency in approval of building plans could pay off
only if the development regulations are simplified, according to
builders and planners.
The use of automated planning permission application scrutiny (APPAS)
software which was developed for technical scrutiny for planning
permission applications and was implemented in November 2012 has many
shortfalls as it could not process the balcony space, parking space as
well as other issues where manual expertise is needed.
Builders and planners state that the need of the hour is to implement
the report of the committee, formed in 2010 to simplify development
regulations.
R Radhakrishnan of Builders Association of Indian said the APPAS
software is a mere eyewash. He said without the simplification of
development regulations, the e-governance of CMDA could hardly be a
success.
“What is required is a system where the applicant can trace his
application as well as reasons for the delay in planning permission so
that it will bring in transparency,” he said.
Meanwhile, CMDA has launched APPAS ‘Pre-check software’ which enables
applicants to check compatibility of the plan drawings before
submission to CMDA. This software has been uploaded in CMDA website
www.cmdachennai.gov.in to enable applicants to download the software
besides check the drawings for compatibility for processing under
APPAS thereby saving time both for applicants and CMDA.
The e-governance project of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
to usher in transparency in approval of building plans could pay off
only if the development regulations are simplified, according to
builders and planners.
The use of automated planning permission application scrutiny (APPAS)
software which was developed for technical scrutiny for planning
permission applications and was implemented in November 2012 has many
shortfalls as it could not process the balcony space, parking space as
well as other issues where manual expertise is needed.
Builders and planners state that the need of the hour is to implement
the report of the committee, formed in 2010 to simplify development
regulations.
R Radhakrishnan of Builders Association of Indian said the APPAS
software is a mere eyewash. He said without the simplification of
development regulations, the e-governance of CMDA could hardly be a
success.
“What is required is a system where the applicant can trace his
application as well as reasons for the delay in planning permission so
that it will bring in transparency,” he said.
Meanwhile, CMDA has launched APPAS ‘Pre-check software’ which enables
applicants to check compatibility of the plan drawings before
submission to CMDA. This software has been uploaded in CMDA website
www.cmdachennai.gov.in to enable applicants to download the software
besides check the drawings for compatibility for processing under
APPAS thereby saving time both for applicants and CMDA.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
writingonblog uncensored: Phone Exchange Scam Cord Tightens Around Marans
writingonblog uncensored: Phone Exchange Scam Cord Tightens Around Marans: C Shivakumar Chennai: Hansraj Saxena is a bitter man. One of the close confidante of Media moghul Kalanidhi Maran, Saxena is no longer t...
Phone Exchange Scam Cord Tightens Around Marans
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
Hansraj Saxena is a bitter man. One of the close confidante of Media
moghul Kalanidhi Maran, Saxena is no longer the darling of Maran
brothers – Kalanidhi and former Union minister Dayanidhi.
Dumped by his mentors and facing 22 cases, most of which he claims is
flimsy, the former chief operating officer of Sun Pictures is proving
to be a vital witness for Central Bureau Investigation in the
clandestine operation of a telephone exchange from former Union
Telecom and IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran’s house in Chennai.
Saxena, who was the former Sun TV vice president (programming), has
been quizzed several times by the CBI in Delhi and Chennai as the
investigation by CBI which was nearly kept pending during the UPA
regime gained pace after the Narendra Modi government took over.
Saxena, who spent more than two months in custody in 2011 for
allegedly defrauding a movie distributor, parted ways with his mentor
who did not back him up during the troubled time. “I had paid the
amount. Kalanidhi knew about it. Yet he was silent,” said Saxena.
And now he has become a crucial witness along with Former Kalaignar TV
managing director and a former senior executive of Sun Network Sharad
Kumar in the illegal telephone exchange scam. Kumar, who had shifted
his allegiance to former chief minister M Karunanidhi family after the
Marans split with their relatives, bore the brunt after the patch-up
in the family.
“Do you want my other leg to be broken. They can barge in even during
midnight,” a scared Kumar told Express when asked about his
whereabouts in Chennai, to attend the CBI investigation.
Interestingly, it is learnt Kumar is spilling the beans against his
previous bosses to CBI in New Delhi with regard to the alleged illegal
telephone exchange. While both Saxena and Kumar don’t have the
technical expertise on how the exchange was set. Saxena says it was
chief technical officer Kannan who the brain in setting up the
exchange, which helped boost Sun TVs quality of programming.
But then the CBI investigation itself is under the scanner. It is
nearly seven years since the scam was brought to light but then
investigation had hardly progressed except the case getting
transferred from Chennai Central Bureau of Investigation to New Delhi.
Interestingly, an earlier preliminary inquiry by Chennai CBI had found
out that a telephone exchange did exist in Maran's residence in
Chennai and it was linked using ISDN lines and the exchange in turn
was hooked to the offices of Sun TV. But these connections were in the
name of the chief general manager of BSNL, Chennai, and were
designated as official use connections
Interestingly, CBI in Chennai was close to filing an FIR against and
letter was also sent recommending action against the Marans. But it
was in 2009 when the family patched up and Raja was made
telecommunication minister, the CBI letter recommending action against
the Marans was put in cold storage besides investigation being
transferred from Chennai to New Delhi.
And for the next 44 months, CBI slept on the file. It was only after
noted columnist and economist S Gurumurthy filed a public interest
litigation that the premier investigation agency woke up and started
investigating the case.
Interestingly, the issue has been raked by Chief Minister J
Jayalalithaa when she was the opposition leader. With DMK being an
ally of UPA government, the investigation never picked up and now with
the Modi regime taking over, it is believed the government would
initiate action about Rs 440 crore loss to the exchequer.
A source told Express that it was just an open and shut case. All they
have to check is whether the cables as well as the lines exist besides
quizzing BSNL officials on whose permission this special privilege was
accorded to Marans.
Chennai:
Hansraj Saxena is a bitter man. One of the close confidante of Media
moghul Kalanidhi Maran, Saxena is no longer the darling of Maran
brothers – Kalanidhi and former Union minister Dayanidhi.
Dumped by his mentors and facing 22 cases, most of which he claims is
flimsy, the former chief operating officer of Sun Pictures is proving
to be a vital witness for Central Bureau Investigation in the
clandestine operation of a telephone exchange from former Union
Telecom and IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran’s house in Chennai.
Saxena, who was the former Sun TV vice president (programming), has
been quizzed several times by the CBI in Delhi and Chennai as the
investigation by CBI which was nearly kept pending during the UPA
regime gained pace after the Narendra Modi government took over.
Saxena, who spent more than two months in custody in 2011 for
allegedly defrauding a movie distributor, parted ways with his mentor
who did not back him up during the troubled time. “I had paid the
amount. Kalanidhi knew about it. Yet he was silent,” said Saxena.
And now he has become a crucial witness along with Former Kalaignar TV
managing director and a former senior executive of Sun Network Sharad
Kumar in the illegal telephone exchange scam. Kumar, who had shifted
his allegiance to former chief minister M Karunanidhi family after the
Marans split with their relatives, bore the brunt after the patch-up
in the family.
“Do you want my other leg to be broken. They can barge in even during
midnight,” a scared Kumar told Express when asked about his
whereabouts in Chennai, to attend the CBI investigation.
Interestingly, it is learnt Kumar is spilling the beans against his
previous bosses to CBI in New Delhi with regard to the alleged illegal
telephone exchange. While both Saxena and Kumar don’t have the
technical expertise on how the exchange was set. Saxena says it was
chief technical officer Kannan who the brain in setting up the
exchange, which helped boost Sun TVs quality of programming.
But then the CBI investigation itself is under the scanner. It is
nearly seven years since the scam was brought to light but then
investigation had hardly progressed except the case getting
transferred from Chennai Central Bureau of Investigation to New Delhi.
Interestingly, an earlier preliminary inquiry by Chennai CBI had found
out that a telephone exchange did exist in Maran's residence in
Chennai and it was linked using ISDN lines and the exchange in turn
was hooked to the offices of Sun TV. But these connections were in the
name of the chief general manager of BSNL, Chennai, and were
designated as official use connections
Interestingly, CBI in Chennai was close to filing an FIR against and
letter was also sent recommending action against the Marans. But it
was in 2009 when the family patched up and Raja was made
telecommunication minister, the CBI letter recommending action against
the Marans was put in cold storage besides investigation being
transferred from Chennai to New Delhi.
And for the next 44 months, CBI slept on the file. It was only after
noted columnist and economist S Gurumurthy filed a public interest
litigation that the premier investigation agency woke up and started
investigating the case.
Interestingly, the issue has been raked by Chief Minister J
Jayalalithaa when she was the opposition leader. With DMK being an
ally of UPA government, the investigation never picked up and now with
the Modi regime taking over, it is believed the government would
initiate action about Rs 440 crore loss to the exchequer.
A source told Express that it was just an open and shut case. All they
have to check is whether the cables as well as the lines exist besides
quizzing BSNL officials on whose permission this special privilege was
accorded to Marans.
writingonblog uncensored: Fill up VAOs posts by operating reserve list, says...
writingonblog uncensored: Fill up VAOs posts by operating reserve list, says...: Chennai: Madras High Court has directed Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission to fill up 352 positions of Village Administrative Officers wh...
Fill up VAOs posts by operating reserve list, says HC
Chennai:
Madras High Court has directed Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission to
fill up 352 positions of Village Administrative Officers which either
remained vacant or fell vacant between September 15, 2012 and January
2, 2013 by operating the Reserve List.
Justice S Nagamuthu passed the order after hearing a batch of
petitions urging the High Court to direct TNPSC to fill up the
unfilled posts (that remained vacant as selected candidates did not
join) from the reserve list.
It also directed the revenue secretary to furnish the actual vacancy
position in each district besides furnishing names and roll numbers of
the candidates, who did not join or joined and left and their
community and the category under which they were selected so as to
enable TNPSC to adhere to the roster system.
“It shall be done by the revenue secretary within a period of two
weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order,” the judge
said.
“After receipt of the particulars from the government, TNPSC shall
operate the Reserve List and adhere to roster system and other rules
of reservation and shall fill up as far as possible all the 352
vacancies as one time measure,” the judge stated.
“This exercise shall be completed within a period of six weeks from
the date of receipt of the particulars from the government,” the judge
stated. He also said that if any more vacancies remain, it shall be
filled up accordingly.
Friday, June 20, 2014
State moves SC after contempt plea filed in Kumbakonam school fire tragedy case
Chennai:
After a contempt petition was moved in High Court against the state
chief secretary and school education secretary for failing to adhere
to High Court order in appointing one man commission to determine the
compensation payable to families of Kumbakonam school fire tragedy in
July 2004, a special leave petition has been filed by state government
in Supreme Court.
The special government pleader K Krishnakumar minformed the Madras
High court bench comprising of Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and
Justice M Sathyanarayanan.
The contempt petition was filed by by K Inbaraj, who lost his two sons
in the fire accident. Families of 94 students, who were burnt alive
during the incident, are yet to get compensation from the government,
a decade after the incident.
High Court on October 19, 2012, appointed one man commission headed by
former high court judge P Shanmugham for determining the compensation
payable to families of deceased as well as injured students, the
government has yet to act upon it, the contempt petition filed stated.
After a contempt petition was moved in High Court against the state
chief secretary and school education secretary for failing to adhere
to High Court order in appointing one man commission to determine the
compensation payable to families of Kumbakonam school fire tragedy in
July 2004, a special leave petition has been filed by state government
in Supreme Court.
The special government pleader K Krishnakumar minformed the Madras
High court bench comprising of Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and
Justice M Sathyanarayanan.
The contempt petition was filed by by K Inbaraj, who lost his two sons
in the fire accident. Families of 94 students, who were burnt alive
during the incident, are yet to get compensation from the government,
a decade after the incident.
High Court on October 19, 2012, appointed one man commission headed by
former high court judge P Shanmugham for determining the compensation
payable to families of deceased as well as injured students, the
government has yet to act upon it, the contempt petition filed stated.
HC directs state to file action taken report against erring officials in bore-well deaths
Chennai:
Madras High Court has directed the state government to file an
affidavit with regard to action taken against erring officials
following the death of four-year old girl P Devi, who fell into a 300
foot borewell near Arani in Tiruvanamalai district.
After hearing the counter petitions filed by the state and Union
government, the first bench comprising of acting chief justice Satish
K Agnihotri and Justice M M Sundresh passed the order and posted the
hearing after two weeks.
The counter petitions were filed after one G Sivagami moved the High
Court to regulate management of erection of borewells and management
of abandoned wells, tube wells and wells apart from seeking Rs 10 lakh
compensation to parents of P Devi.
This comes after the state submitted that director general of police
in Tamil Nadu has conveyed the guidelines of Supreme court of India on
measures for prevention of fatal accidents involving small children
falling into abandoned wells to all district level police officials
besides directing them to take tough deterrent action against the
agencies concerned which fail to follow the safety guidelines.
The state government has also submitted that additional chief
secretary of revenue administration has instructed district collectors
to instruct village administrative officers and heads of local bodies
to have a survey of the number of borewells in their jurisdiction and
to immediately seal the open bore wells by formulating a plan of
action on war footing.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
writingonblog uncensored: Metro trains set to receive fitness certificates
writingonblog uncensored: Metro trains set to receive fitness certificates: Chennai: The trains for Chennai Metro Rail are set to receive fitness certificate from Research Designs and Standard Organisation (RDSO) wh...
Metro trains set to receive fitness certificates
Chennai:
The trains for Chennai Metro Rail are set to receive fitness
certificate from Research Designs and Standard Organisation (RDSO)
which is is one of the statutory technical requirements for running
the train.
A metro rail spokesman said that Research Designs and Standards
Organisation (RDSO) Director Prashant Kumar Singh along with his
team conducted meeting with Chennai Metro Rail officials on Thursday
at Administative building in Koyambedu.
After the meeting, the director of RDSO along with all the officials
conducted the survey of the section trainsffrom Koyambedu to Alandur
by train.
The trains for Chennai Metro Rail are set to receive fitness
certificate from Research Designs and Standard Organisation (RDSO)
which is is one of the statutory technical requirements for running
the train.
A metro rail spokesman said that Research Designs and Standards
Organisation (RDSO) Director Prashant Kumar Singh along with his
team conducted meeting with Chennai Metro Rail officials on Thursday
at Administative building in Koyambedu.
After the meeting, the director of RDSO along with all the officials
conducted the survey of the section trainsffrom Koyambedu to Alandur
by train.
writingonblog uncensored: Commercial tax dept conducts searches at Saravana ...
writingonblog uncensored: Commercial tax dept conducts searches at Saravana ...: Chennai: The enforcement wing of state commercial tax department has conducted survey at 50 different places in the city including branc...
Commercial tax dept conducts searches at Saravana Bhavan Hotel
Chennai:
The enforcement wing of state commercial tax department has conducted
survey at 50 different places in the city including branches and
godownsbelonging to Hotel Saravana Bhavan, the largest chain of
vegetarian restaurants.
A commercial tax department official told Express that the survey is
being conducted in several branches of the hotel as well as godown.
An official from Saravana Bhavan confirmed the search was in the
backdrop of the recent increase in number of foot-falls in the
restaurant.
The restaurant chain has introduced various special combo offers and
reduced price of some of the dishes almost three months back, to
attract more customers, the official said.
The official said the search is still continuing.
A commercial tax official said that the action is not based on any
prior assumptions and is part of general periodical inspection. We
just want to ascertain one day collection in the hotel and to check
whether it matches the data available in the system of the department.
The enforcement wing of state commercial tax department has conducted
survey at 50 different places in the city including branches and
godownsbelonging to Hotel Saravana Bhavan, the largest chain of
vegetarian restaurants.
A commercial tax department official told Express that the survey is
being conducted in several branches of the hotel as well as godown.
An official from Saravana Bhavan confirmed the search was in the
backdrop of the recent increase in number of foot-falls in the
restaurant.
The restaurant chain has introduced various special combo offers and
reduced price of some of the dishes almost three months back, to
attract more customers, the official said.
The official said the search is still continuing.
A commercial tax official said that the action is not based on any
prior assumptions and is part of general periodical inspection. We
just want to ascertain one day collection in the hotel and to check
whether it matches the data available in the system of the department.
writingonblog uncensored: HC orders Tangedco to pay Rs 25,000 for seeking ad...
writingonblog uncensored: HC orders Tangedco to pay Rs 25,000 for seeking ad...: Chennai: Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited has been directed by High Court to pay Rs 25,000 as cost for grantin...
writingonblog uncensored: MEA issued two-week notice after wife approaches c...
writingonblog uncensored: MEA issued two-week notice after wife approaches c...: Chennai: After husband had gone missing for 18 months in Malayasia, a desperate wife has approached High Court seeking direction to the ...
MEA issued two-week notice after wife approaches court to help trace hubby missing for 18 months
Chennai:
After husband had gone missing for 18 months in Malayasia, a desperate
wife has approached High Court seeking direction to the Ministry of
external Affairs and High Commission of Malaysia to trace her husband
and bring him back to her.
Theivanai, wife of Nallathambi, in her petition before justice B
Rajendran said her husband was missing since October 12, 2012 after he
had gone to meet his friend one Syed Mohammed.
Theivanai said that she had sent several complaints to Malaysian
embassy, Indian embassy and ministry of external affairs but in vain.
She said that even a complaint has been lodged but the respondents
have not taken any action till date. “I fear whether my husband is
alive or not. I and my relatives are mentally upset,” she stated.
The judge issued notice returnable by two weeks to Ministry of External Affairs.
After husband had gone missing for 18 months in Malayasia, a desperate
wife has approached High Court seeking direction to the Ministry of
external Affairs and High Commission of Malaysia to trace her husband
and bring him back to her.
Theivanai, wife of Nallathambi, in her petition before justice B
Rajendran said her husband was missing since October 12, 2012 after he
had gone to meet his friend one Syed Mohammed.
Theivanai said that she had sent several complaints to Malaysian
embassy, Indian embassy and ministry of external affairs but in vain.
She said that even a complaint has been lodged but the respondents
have not taken any action till date. “I fear whether my husband is
alive or not. I and my relatives are mentally upset,” she stated.
The judge issued notice returnable by two weeks to Ministry of External Affairs.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
HC orders Tangedco to pay Rs 25,000 for seeking adjournment
Chennai:
Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited has been
directed by High Court to pay Rs 25,000 as cost for granting adjournment in a case
pertaining to conferring of permanent status on workmen.
Justice M Sathyanarayanan after hearing a contempt petition by the
workmen has adjourned the hearing to July 11, 2014.
The contempt petition was filed after TANGEDCO has failed to implement
the orders passed by the Inspector of Labour, Cuddalore, under Tamil
Nadu Industrial establishments (conferment of permanent status) Act
1981 and subsequently Madras High Court order to TANGEDCO to comply
with the Inspector of Labour order.
The judge said that though the contempt petition has been entertained
on August 19, 2011, the superintending engineer woken up on a week’s
slumber and thought it fit to challenge the orders conferring
permanent status belatedly by filing writ petition, which was
subsequently dismissed.
The judge also stated that the review applicants who are arrayed as
contemnors in the contempt petitions are not interested in prosecuting
the proceedings but in seeking adjournment on one reason or other
which is found unreasonable.
Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited has been
directed by High Court to pay Rs 25,000 as cost for granting adjournment in a case
pertaining to conferring of permanent status on workmen.
Justice M Sathyanarayanan after hearing a contempt petition by the
workmen has adjourned the hearing to July 11, 2014.
The contempt petition was filed after TANGEDCO has failed to implement
the orders passed by the Inspector of Labour, Cuddalore, under Tamil
Nadu Industrial establishments (conferment of permanent status) Act
1981 and subsequently Madras High Court order to TANGEDCO to comply
with the Inspector of Labour order.
The judge said that though the contempt petition has been entertained
on August 19, 2011, the superintending engineer woken up on a week’s
slumber and thought it fit to challenge the orders conferring
permanent status belatedly by filing writ petition, which was
subsequently dismissed.
The judge also stated that the review applicants who are arrayed as
contemnors in the contempt petitions are not interested in prosecuting
the proceedings but in seeking adjournment on one reason or other
which is found unreasonable.
writingonblog uncensored: Sivaganga prison cracks the Barc nut
writingonblog uncensored: Sivaganga prison cracks the Barc nut: Chennai: A mutant variety of groundnut developed by Bhaba Atomic Research Centre has been cultivated and harvested in the open air prison a...
Sivaganga prison cracks the Barc nut
Chennai:
A mutant variety of groundnut developed by Bhaba Atomic Research
Centre has been cultivated and harvested in the open air prison at
Purasaidai Udaippu in Sivaganga district and the initial yield has
been promising, according to a senior Barc official.
Speaking to Express on Wednesday, BARC senior scientist of technical
coordination wing J Daniel Chellappa said that the cultivation of
TG37A, a mutant groundnut has begun in 3.5 acres of land belonging to
the prison.
The drought resistant groundnuts have already been cultivated in many
states including Rajasthan and Maharashtra. He said this is the first
time it is officially being cultivated in Tamil Nadu.
Chellappa said initially farmers from the state used to buy this
variety from other states after it was released in 2008. “Now they
can buy it from the prison department,” he said.
The groundnut variety is highly nutritious as it contains 43 per
cent oil and 23 per cent protein.
Prison department officials said that BARC supplied them with 350kg
(10 gunny bags) of hybrid groundnut seeds for cultivation. “The seeds
were sown with the help of BARC technical Coordination Wing and
Sivaganga District Agriculture department on February 2014.
The initial yield which was harvested on Wednesday has been promising,
said Chellappa. He said the yield could be three times more than the
quantity of ordinary groundnuts.
Interestingly, the seeds have also been sown in Madurai prison on a
.75 acres of land on March 9, 2014 besides 2.5 acres of land in
Central Prison in Palayamkottai on March 15.
Prison officials are planning to use the harvested yield as seeds for
cultivation in other Central prisons like Salem, Open Air Jail,
Singanallur, Vellore, cuddalore, Trichy and Coimbatore apart from
district and sub jails. The yield is likely to be sold as seeds in the
prison bazaar to farmers.
Chellappa said such initiative could be taken up by the corporate
sector as part of corporate social responsibility by adopting
villages. He said Barc is ready to provide such technology for the
betterment of lives and livelihood of people.
A mutant variety of groundnut developed by Bhaba Atomic Research
Centre has been cultivated and harvested in the open air prison at
Purasaidai Udaippu in Sivaganga district and the initial yield has
been promising, according to a senior Barc official.
Speaking to Express on Wednesday, BARC senior scientist of technical
coordination wing J Daniel Chellappa said that the cultivation of
TG37A, a mutant groundnut has begun in 3.5 acres of land belonging to
the prison.
The drought resistant groundnuts have already been cultivated in many
states including Rajasthan and Maharashtra. He said this is the first
time it is officially being cultivated in Tamil Nadu.
Chellappa said initially farmers from the state used to buy this
variety from other states after it was released in 2008. “Now they
can buy it from the prison department,” he said.
The groundnut variety is highly nutritious as it contains 43 per
cent oil and 23 per cent protein.
Prison department officials said that BARC supplied them with 350kg
(10 gunny bags) of hybrid groundnut seeds for cultivation. “The seeds
were sown with the help of BARC technical Coordination Wing and
Sivaganga District Agriculture department on February 2014.
The initial yield which was harvested on Wednesday has been promising,
said Chellappa. He said the yield could be three times more than the
quantity of ordinary groundnuts.
Interestingly, the seeds have also been sown in Madurai prison on a
.75 acres of land on March 9, 2014 besides 2.5 acres of land in
Central Prison in Palayamkottai on March 15.
Prison officials are planning to use the harvested yield as seeds for
cultivation in other Central prisons like Salem, Open Air Jail,
Singanallur, Vellore, cuddalore, Trichy and Coimbatore apart from
district and sub jails. The yield is likely to be sold as seeds in the
prison bazaar to farmers.
Chellappa said such initiative could be taken up by the corporate
sector as part of corporate social responsibility by adopting
villages. He said Barc is ready to provide such technology for the
betterment of lives and livelihood of people.
writingonblog uncensored: Sree Balaji Medical College files contempt against...
writingonblog uncensored: Sree Balaji Medical College files contempt against...: Chennai: Sree Balaji Medical College has filed a contempt petition against Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare secretary for not...
Sree Balaji Medical College files contempt against Union health secy
Chennai:
Sree Balaji Medical College has filed a contempt petition against
Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare secretary for not obeying
the court order to increase the intake of students in the MBBS degree
course from 150 to 250 for the academic year 2014-15.
Justice B Rajendran after hearing the petition adjourned the hearing to June 24.
Madras High court on April 29 have directed Union health ministry to
consider the application of the petitioner dated September 25, 2013 on
merits and in accordance with law on or before May 31, 2014 for the
reasons that Medical Council of India had encashed the fees paid by
the petitioner college.
The college submits that the last date for grant of letter of
permission is July 15, 2014 for the academic year 2014-15.
Seeking ad interim direction to direct the respondent to pass orders
on the application of the petitioner for increase in the intake, the
college said that it has made investments for more than Rs 100 crore
in providing infrastructure and amenities and is also maintaining a
huge faculty for increased intake.
Sree Balaji Medical College has filed a contempt petition against
Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare secretary for not obeying
the court order to increase the intake of students in the MBBS degree
course from 150 to 250 for the academic year 2014-15.
Justice B Rajendran after hearing the petition adjourned the hearing to June 24.
Madras High court on April 29 have directed Union health ministry to
consider the application of the petitioner dated September 25, 2013 on
merits and in accordance with law on or before May 31, 2014 for the
reasons that Medical Council of India had encashed the fees paid by
the petitioner college.
The college submits that the last date for grant of letter of
permission is July 15, 2014 for the academic year 2014-15.
Seeking ad interim direction to direct the respondent to pass orders
on the application of the petitioner for increase in the intake, the
college said that it has made investments for more than Rs 100 crore
in providing infrastructure and amenities and is also maintaining a
huge faculty for increased intake.
writingonblog uncensored: Female infanticide in Dharmapuri sparks HC ire
writingonblog uncensored: Female infanticide in Dharmapuri sparks HC ire: Chennai: Female infanticide in Dharmapuri district has resulted in Madras High Court issuing a warning to people in the district besides di...
Female infanticide in Dharmapuri sparks HC ire
Chennai:
Female infanticide in Dharmapuri district has resulted in Madras High
Court issuing a warning to people in the district besides directing
the district legal services Authority to conduct literacy camp in the
district.
Rejecting the bail plea of a woman who poisoned her eight-day-old girl
child to death in Dharmapuri on March 2012, justice P Devadass said
that in this type of cases only women are being made accused.
“Actually, husbands who are not happy to have a girl child are equally
responsible for female infanticide,” the judge said.
The judge said that Dharmapuri and Madurai are famous for this kind of
social activity. “the sorry state of affairs is that there is high
rate of female infanticide in the district and it seems Dharmapuri
people do not like female children,” the judge said.
“Nowhere in the world except in India, more particularly in Dharmapuri
district, infants are being killed by administering ‘extract of cactus
plant’ because they were born as female,” the judge said.
writingonblog uncensored: After seven years probe, CBI still gathering evide...
writingonblog uncensored: After seven years probe, CBI still gathering evide...: C Shivakumar/ENS Chennai: Nearly seven years after the exposure of a clandestine operation of a telephone exchange from former Union Teleco...
writingonblog uncensored: After seven years probe, CBI still gathering evide...
writingonblog uncensored: After seven years probe, CBI still gathering evide...: C Shivakumar/ENS Chennai: Nearly seven years after the exposure of a clandestine operation of a telephone exchange from former Union Teleco...
writingonblog uncensored: After seven years probe, CBI still gathering evide...
writingonblog uncensored: After seven years probe, CBI still gathering evide...: C Shivakumar/ENS Chennai: Nearly seven years after the exposure of a clandestine operation of a telephone exchange from former Union Teleco...
writingonblog uncensored: After seven years probe, CBI still gathering evide...
writingonblog uncensored: After seven years probe, CBI still gathering evide...: C Shivakumar/ENS Chennai: Nearly seven years after the exposure of a clandestine operation of a telephone exchange from former Union Teleco...
writingonblog uncensored: After seven years probe, CBI still gathering evide...
writingonblog uncensored: After seven years probe, CBI still gathering evide...: C Shivakumar/ENS Chennai: Nearly seven years after the exposure of a clandestine operation of a telephone exchange from former Union Teleco...
After seven years probe, CBI still gathering evidence in Maran telecom exchange scam
C Shivakumar/ENS
Chennai:
Nearly seven years after the exposure of a clandestine operation of a
telephone exchange from former Union Telecom and IT Minister Dayanidhi
Maran’s house in Chennai for illegal transmission of data for Sun TV,
the enquiry by Central Bureau of Investigation is yet to gain ground.
The officials are still trying to gather evidence besides summoning
Sun TV and BSNL officials in Chennai or New Delhi.
A special team of CBI which was in Chennai to conduct the enquiry
moved back to New Delhi and has started summoning Sun TV officials for
investigations there.
Sources blame that it was the transfer of preliminary investigation
from Chennai to CBI in New Delhi by the UPA government that resulted
in the delay in investigation.
Interestingly, the preliminary investigation was started in Chennai as
the crime had happened here besides the persons who are alleged to
have committed or benefitted from the crime are also stationed in the
city.
“Why was the need to transfer the investigation to New Delhi. It is
not linked to the 2G scam,” a source added.
It is learnt that the investigation into the scam was progressing
smoothly and it would have been days before an FIR would have been
registered against Dayanidhi Maran in Chennai.
But then the investigation was transferred suddenly to New Delhi after
which the investigation lied low. It was only after a petition in
Supreme Court was filed by noted economist and journalist Gurumurthy
last year that the enquiry gained some momentum.
“It is just open and shut case. All trhey have to check is whether the
cables as well as the lines exist besides quizzing BSNL officials on
whose permission this special privilege was accorded to Marans,” a
source said.
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