writingonblog uncensored: TN seeks National Population Registry data to eva...

writingonblog uncensored: TN seeks National Population Registry data to eva...: C Shivakumar Chennai: Tamil Nadu’s plan to create  12.94 lakh housing stock in  666 statutory town suffered a  blow as the survey on...

TN seeks National Population Registry data to evaluate housing demand

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu’s plan to create 12.94 lakh housing stock in 666 statutory town suffered a blow as the survey on the demand for housing to be carried out by the state government was delayed due to lack of data.

The state has identified 12.94 lakh housing stock for economically weaker sections under ‘Housing for All’ Mission, which was launched by the Union government on June 25 to provide Central assistance to the states for providing house to all before 2022.

The state, which has signed a memorandum of understanding with Union government, has to conduct a demand survey for assessing the actual housing requirement.

It is a basic necessity following which the state has to come out with Housing for All Plan of Action.

It is learnt that the Slum Clearance Board, which is the State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA) has started collecting the details of urban people. However, the slum board is also relying on the Census data to get accurate figures.

Slum Clearance Board is currently in possession of Socio-Economic Caste Census data which was obtained from National Informatic centre. But to get the latest status of people it is relying on the National Population Register. 

Sources reveal that TNSCB had approached the Regional Census Office in chennai but it declined to part with the information stating that it falls under the confidential category.

It is learnt that the Slum Clearance Board managing director R Palaniswamy is seeking the help of Census Commissioner of India in getting the details.

A letter has already been sent in this regard with state slum clearance board vowing to maintain the confidentiality of the data.

Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board has sent in the proposal for 191 towns to be included under the first phase for Housing for All Mission to the Union Housing and Urban Development secretary.

The state government has already directed planning departments to submit proposals to adhere to Union government conditions to obtain grant under ‘Housing for All Scheme.’

Factfile:

1. A total of 11 World Class cities and district headquarters and corporations have been included in the first phase. 

2. These include Chennai, Coimbatore, Erode, Madurai, Salem, Tirunelveli, Thoothkudi, Tiruchirappalli, Tiruppur, Vellore and Cuddalore. 

3. This list submitted to the Centre also includes 21 district head quarters and municipal towns besides two municipal towns and 157 town panchayats.

4. Of the districts, Coimbatore has 12 town town panchayats, the highest which figure in the list of towns

writingonblog uncensored: AERB norms post-Fukushima slows down PFBR

writingonblog uncensored: AERB norms post-Fukushima slows down PFBR: C Shivakumar Chennai: The 500 Mega Watt Prototype  Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR)  in Kalpakkam, an important  milestone for country’s ...

AERB norms post-Fukushima slows down PFBR

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

The 500 Mega Watt Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam, an important milestone for country’s three-stage nuclear power programme, continues to remain elusive as deadlines are being altered frequently.

Nuclear scientists feel the fast breeder reactor, which breeds more material for a nuclear fission reaction than it consumes, would have been ready by now had it not been the stringent regulations put forth by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board after the Fukushima disaster as well as leakage in 220MW reactor at Kakrapur Atomic Power Station recently.

The norms have been made so stringent by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board that nuclear scientists have to focus more on the paper work rather than on the research activities. This has irked the scientists who now have to do the clerical job by jotting down in reams of paper on how each and every part of the reactor works.

India had the fast breeder technology in 1985 and scientists have been working on the project for the last 30 years. Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Shekar Basu has earlier told Express that the project would attain criticality by June.

But it seems far from reality. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Jitendera Singh has said that the project is expected to go critical by the end of the year. But scientists say with the stringent norms put forth by AERB, it is unlikely that the project could be completed by the end of this year.

Already a total of Rs 5,800 crore has been spent on the project and scientists believe there could be cost escalation in the project Scientists are already facing the heat. On one hand they require time to adhere to AERB norms and on the other hand they have to meet the deadline. “It is like being caught between Devil and the Deep Sea,” says a senior scientist. The delay has hit the moral of nuclear scientists also who now feel that space scientists have gained an upper hand than them as they are showing results. 

There has also been a change in guard at a critical phase with Kallol Roy replacing Dr Perumal Chellapandi as the new chairman and managing director. This has added to the uncertainty that the deadline could be met during Shekar Basu’s tenure because Roy has to get familiarised with PFBR technology 

TN to come out with new policy on solid waste management

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu government will have to formulate a state policy on solid waste management as well as chart out a strategy to manage solid waste within one year after the Union government notified the Solid Waste Management Rule 2016.



As per the new rules, the state policy on solid waste management would be prepared with the help of Central Monitoring Committee, which will be constituted by the Central Monitoring Committee.



The policy would be formulated based on National Solid Waste Management policy and National Urban Sanitation Policy with focus on waste reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery and optimum utilisation of various components of solid waste  to reduce its impact on human health and environment.



The implementation of new rules would also mean that group housing or commercial institution or non-residential complex exceeding 200 dwellings or plot area exceeding 5,000 square metres should have a separate space for segregation, storage, decentralised processing of solid waste.



Even industries using fuel located within 100km from a solid waste based refuse derived fuel plant shall make arrangements within six months to replace atleast five per cent of fuel requirement by refused derived fuel.



Moef has also laid out guidelines pertaining to landfills and said that the sites should be earmarked in land use plans. The landfill sites shall not be permitted within the flood plains as recorded for the last 100 years, zone of coastal regulation, wetland, critical habitat areas and sensitive eco-fragile areas.



Factfile:

1. Every Department in-charge of local bodies of states or Union territory shall constitute a State Level Advisory Body within six months.

2. The State Level Advisory Body shall meet at least once in every six months to review the matters related to implementation of Solid Waste Management Rules

3. Non recyclable waste having calorific value of 1500 K/cal/kg or more shall not be disposed of on landfills and shall only be utilised for generating energy

4. Village panchayats or local bodies should prepare a solid waste management plan as per state policy and strategy on solid waste management within six months from the date of notification of state policy

5. Developers of Special Economic Zone, Industrial Estate, Industrial Park to earmark at least five percent of the total area of the plot or minimum five plots or sheds for recovery and recycling facility

writingonblog uncensored: The math of Kirana shops or Petti kadai

writingonblog uncensored: The math of Kirana shops or Petti kadai: Chennai: It is a usually busy day for  Vijay Kumar, owner of a  kirana shop located in a  crowded neighbourhood in  Nerkundram, as cust...

The math of Kirana shops or Petti kadai

Chennai:

It is a usually busy day for Vijay Kumar, owner of a kirana shop located in a crowded neighbourhood in Nerkundram, as customers flock to the shop to buy their daily provisions.

The temperature is hovering around 40 degree celsius and the shop lacks air conditioner. His customers have just a small roof to cover themselves from the sun as they demand their usual provisions.

“I earn nearly Rs 4,000 a day,” says Kumar, wiping out the sweat from his face as his wife looks on.  

“Business has been difficult, the margins we get is measly but then the hard work which I and my wife put together is keeping us alive in the competition,” says Kumar when asked about the success of his shop..

Interestingly, the locality has many kirana shops or petti kadai in the vicinity but it is Kumar’s shop which has been attracting the crowd.

The ubiquitous shop provides adequate merchandise mix, which includes snacks, cold drinks, paste rice, vegetable and other goods. The merchandise mix is also localised, especially with regard to food and edible products.

He never differentiates between the customers be it a rag picker or a man from upper middle class. “There has been time when my customers won’t have money to pay for the goods they buy. I ask them to pay it next time. This results in building personal relation with my customers,” says Kumar while revealing his business model.

Usually, I lose around Rs 50 to Rs 100 as some of the money never comes back but then it also help woo the customers, he says.

Talking about the margins, he says that usually a biscuit fetches him Rs 8 paisa or a 1kg of rice Rs 2. For cool drinks like Pepsi and Fanta, he makes Rs 15 of the Rs 100 worth of drink he sells.

“The profit is not that much. On a month I earn Rs 1 lakh or 1.25 lakh,” says Kumar. Interestingly, grocery shop like Kumar’s are the part of Tamil Nadu market since 18th century. Every street or lane in Tamilnadu will have at least two or three Grocery shops and every one of them will be successful as they have their own market to make profits.

Usually, the grocery shop owners are known for their relationship skill with all the customers they handle. It can also be interpreted that a customer who purchase products from a specific shop is tend to have a comfort zone with vendor. This is the reason for their success. 

Interestingly, organised retail is putting some kind of pressure on the kirana store model. Organised retail shops are able to sell the products at cheaper rates and many of them dole out offers. “We can’t afford that,” he says. Even the customer can make a choice after inspecting various products put on display. 

But then Kirana shops offer an advantage as they are very near to home. During the floods in Chennai, these shops have been the lifeline for Chennai supplying food items and water. 

The current estimated value of the Indian retail sector is about $500 billion and is pegged to reach $1.3 trillion by 2020. The penetration level of modern retail (currently 5%) will 

increase six-fold from the $27 billion to $220 billion in 2020. But then no one has a clear figure about the unorganised retail shops like that of Kumar’s which cater to majority of Indian population.

“We have been surviving the onslaught of provision stores or shopping malls. At times, I want to close it. But then we don’t have any other option,” says Kumar. Interestingly, a nearby Kirana store closed due to lack of patronage. “The margin is very less to survive,” he says.

Box:

The profit margin of Petti Kadai

Goods            Cost                           profit

1. Biscuits       Rs 10                        8 paise

2. Rice            Rs 40                        Rs 2

3. Sugar          Rs 48                        Rs 3

4. Soap           Rs 15                        30 paise

5. Coffee         Rs 10 sachet           28 paise

6. Egg             Rs 4.50                   50 paise

7. Pepsi          Rs 100 (big bottle)   Rs 15

8. Ice Cream   Rs 20                      Rs 3

9. Tomato        Rs 25                     Rs 5

10. Milk           Rs 22                     Rs 2

writingonblog uncensored: Airlines double digit growth in passenger traffic ...

writingonblog uncensored: Airlines double digit growth in passenger traffic ...: C Shivakumar Chennai: As the city is facing the  hottest summer, most of the  Chennaites are planning to  pack their bags and spend  the...

Airlines double digit growth in passenger traffic hit as schools in Chennai delay holiday plans

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

As the city is facing the hottest summer, most of the Chennaites are planning to pack their bags and spend their time under cooler climate zones.

Although, this month the tourist season has yet to get a boost with schools in many part of the city still functioning, the airlines and tour operators are not giving up hope.

The mercury may have crossed 40 degree celsius but tour operators feel it won’t affect the travel plans.

“Indian travelers keep the weather in mind when they travel. They research themselves and ask the tour operator for suggestions,” says Karan Anand, head, relationships, Cox & Kings Ltd.

“They are not averse to travelling to destinations where they can bear the summer heat. However, that is their last option when they decide to travel,” he says. 

Cox and Kings is recommending tourists to travel to Ooty, Shimla, Manali and Kashmir where it is either snowing or the weather is below 10 degrees. Interestingly, North-East is on the itinerary of many south Indians too.

P R Vijayaraghavan, senior manager corporate communications, Air India told Express that the increase in passenger traffic when compared to last month has been single digit. “We are expecting a double digit growth from next month once the schools in the city get closed for holidays,” he says.

Currently, Air India has seen a spurt in passengers opting to Kochi. “We have seen a 15pc increase in passenger traffic from Chennai to Kochi,” said the Air India spokesman.

Interestingly, Air India is to operate additional flights from Chennai to Port Blair next month to cater to the increased traffic during the holiday season. Although, the summer is hot but there is lot of interest among people to visit Port Blair and the additional flights would operate between May 9 and 27.

While, Port Blair may see a huge passenger traffic from Chennai. Hill destinations like Srinagar, Jammu, Chandigarh, Dehradun (Mussorie) and Dharamshala in the north has been attracting the tourists from the city. Shilpa Bhatia, senior vice president Commercial SpiceJet Limited says that they are putting extra flights to these destinations and also had recently introduced Boeing Aircrafts (180 plus seating)  replacing the Bombardier aircrafts (78 seater) on these routes.  

Among the new destinations, she says that Simla, which is being overcrowded is slowly being replaced by Kasauli. Destinations around Goa like Doodhsagar, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Dandeli are getting popular for their scenic beauty, cost-effective stay and peaceful atmosphere, she added.

Those wanting to visit Rajasthan are now having Madhya Pradesh in their itinerary due to tourism infrastructure enhancement and better air connectivity to places like Jabalpur, Bhopal etc, says Shilpa.

Interestingly, despite the depreciation in the Rupee and the subsequent increase in the cost of travel, Indians are still preferring foreign destinations, says Hotel.com. Many prefer to soak in the sun and sand at Maldives while others prefer destinations like Dubai, Singapore, Paris, New York, Seychelles, and Bahamas

writingonblog uncensored: 20,000 Contempt of Court cases pending My Lord! TN...

writingonblog uncensored: 20,000 Contempt of Court cases pending My Lord! TN...: C Shivakumar Chennai: The judiciary in Tamil Nadu is helpless as its diktat fails to run in the state with 20,000 Contempt of Court cases...

20,000 Contempt of Court cases pending My Lord! TN plans Court Case Monitoring System to reduce the backlog

C Shivakumar
Chennai:
The judiciary in Tamil Nadu is helpless as its diktat fails to run in the state with 20,000 Contempt of Court cases pending in Madras High Court as well as the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court. The tussle between judiciary and executive is such that top bureaucrats have been summoned regularly to the court affecting the busy schedule of officials and the government.

In a bid to sort out the issue, the state government is developing a Court Case Monitoring System (CCMS), an IT application platform which will monitor cases pending against the concerned department or officials.

Interestingly, the culprits have been legal officers of the department who take money from the affected parties and shield the orders of the court. The worst department to be affected is the Housing department and most specifically Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. CMDA has been an agency to monitor the planning issues. But rather than a regulatory auhority, it is being made an authority to mint money. Every government uses it to milk the realtors, relax the planning norms, tamper the land use plans and master plans as well as service rules. Promotions are denied. People without qualifications are appointed as planners resulting in disgruntlement among the officials. The worst is that there is numerous vigilance cases against most of its employees but then it is buried under the carpet.

While former judicial officers are positive about the CCMS, the success will depend on how fast the pending cases are resolved.
Initially, such a system is being planned at secretariat level and it is nearly completed. It is currently being tested out in the Personnel and Administrative department and soon it will be extended to secretariat level, sources told Express.

It is also learnt that efforts are being taken to extend the Court Case Monitoring System to the head of the departments level and the districts.
Already letters are being sent to secretaries seeking requirements on what all contents such IT application will need to have.

Sources reveal that P Madhusudhan Reddy, joint commissioner of land administration has been nominated as coordinator to assist national informatics commission in the completion of IT application.

According to information under RTI Act which was provided by deputy registrar (administration) of Madras High Court, Madras High Court has 12,527 petitions of contempt of court pending against government officials while the Madurai Bench has a total of 8,475 Contempt of court cases pending against the officials between the year 2010 to February 16, 2014.

Interestingly, housing department has huge number of court cases pending as it pertains to land acquisition, allotments, slums etc. It is learnt the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority alone has 2,074 pending cases till 2012 as per the audit report. However, recently, the CMDA legal officers as well as administative officer tried to hush up the cases by showing a lesser number of pending cases. Will the housing secretary look into the issue. The other major issue is the appointment of the financial officer which is done while circumventing the rules by favouring person belonging to a particular community. Will someone raise this issue

writingonblog uncensored: Coastguard Air Station in Chennai marks silver jub...

writingonblog uncensored: Coastguard Air Station in Chennai marks silver jub...: Chennai: The Coast Guard Air Station  in Chennai, which provides  aerial surveillance on the  Eastern seaboard and the  Andaman and ...

writingonblog uncensored: Coastguard Air Station in Chennai marks silver jub...

writingonblog uncensored: Coastguard Air Station in Chennai marks silver jub...: Chennai: The Coast Guard Air Station  in Chennai, which provides  aerial surveillance on the  Eastern seaboard and the  Andaman and ...

Coastguard Air Station in Chennai marks silver jubilee

Chennai:

The Coast Guard Air Station in Chennai, which provides aerial surveillance on the Eastern seaboard and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, marked its silver jubilee on Tuesday.

Commissioned on April 26, 1991, the airstation has been .home to two air squadrons -- 744 Dornier squadron (which also celebrates its silver jubilee) and 848 Chetak helicopter squadron

Commander of Coast Guard Region (East) Inspector General SP Sharma dedicated a air frame of helicopter CG 808 to the Air Station for display and to be retained as a relic to mark the silver jubilee.    

The Coast Guard Dornier and Helicopters based at Air Station have been providing surveillance to extremities of the Eastern Region and areas adjoining Andaman and Niciobar Islands.

This Air Station has been discharging the mandated duties ensuring 24 x 7 vigil all-round the year. The presence of the Coast Guard aircraft in area instills confidence in the seafarers and maritime fraternity, said a Coastguard spokesman..

The unit provided relief and rehabilitation post super cyclone off Odisha coast in 2002, Tsunami in 2004, cyclone Nilam off Tamilnadu coast in 2012, Hud Hud off Andhra coast in 2013 and the latest Chennai floods December 2015.

The air station has achieved a total of more than 45,000 hours of flying and has saved over 2000 human lives during various operations with very good safety record, the Coastguard spokesman said.

writingonblog uncensored: Seventy feet below the earth .... Metro coming to ...

writingonblog uncensored: Seventy feet below the earth .... Metro coming to ...: Metro rail trial run in underground stretch after polls C Shivakumar Chennai: The temperature was hovering around 35 degrees Celsius but i...

Seventy feet below the earth .... Metro coming to life

Metro rail trial run in underground stretch after polls

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

The temperature was hovering around 35 degrees Celsius but it did not deter men from working 70 feet below the Shenoy Nagar Park to complete the Metro station.



“Nearly, 85 per cent of the work in the Shenoy Nagar Metro Station is complete and these men work in shifts for 24 hours,” says a Chennai Metro Rail official as workers were seen giving finishing touches to the works.



Currently, the station, which has four exits, has to undergo architecture, mechanical, electrical and plumbing work.



As one enters the concourse of the station which is eight metres below the street level, the official chips in stating that Shenoy Nagar would be the only station which will have access to sunlight at the concourse level which is eight metres below the street level.



This is because the station is built on the park. “It is off the road station,” quips the official.



Interestingly, the erstwhile park lacks any greenery but nature lovers can heave a sigh of relief as Chennai Metro plans to restore the park once the station is completed.



The station which is spread over 350 metres is the second largest station after Chennai Central Metro station.



The station has two levels. A concourse level from where the commuter has to take the ticket and the platform level, which is 24 metres below the street level to catch the train.



Interestingly, Chennai Metro may be the only one to have platform screen doors in the underground stations unlike Delhi Metro. “Delhi Metro is now planning to have such doors. The doors would block the entry into railway tracks and is for safety of passengers. It is a toughened glass and one can view the tracks,” says the official.



The underground station has tunnel ventilation system and air condition system. The ventilation system has safety features. In case of incidents like fire, it sucks in the smoke and releases it outside.



The underground station is also the only one to have cross over facility for trains. “The cross over facility is where you can park an additional train which can be used during the peak hour,” says the official.



Similarly, walking down the tracks for 250 metres one would come across a passage linking the two tunnels. “It is a passageway. It is built as emergency exit for passengers in case of emergency,” reveals the official.



Every station has a fire escape staircase and an access for firemen. The firemen can enter through the ancillary building, which is being built in every station, and reach the platform.



Unlike the December floods, Chennai Metro has worked out a mechanism where rain water can’t enter the platform of the stations. “It will be sealed at the concourse level. Even if water enters the platform level, there is mechanism to drain it out,” says the official.



There is also a emergency pathway in the tunnel along the tracks to evacuate commuters in case of emergency. The tunnels have a communication cable, a fire hydrant and rigid overhead cable which supplies power. Currently, the power cable has been laid from Thirumangalam to Anna Nagar East and work is on to finish laying the communication cable from Anna Nagar East to Shenoy Nagar, which is a distance of 1km.



Once it is done, it is most likely that Chennai Metro will have its first trial run from Koyambedu to Shenoy Nagar. This is likely after the elections.





Box:

1. Shenoy Nagar is one of the largest underground station after Chennai Central.

2. The underground stretch will have platform screen doors for safety of passengers

3. Trial Run of Chennai Metro from Koyambedu to Shenoy Nagar is likely after elections

4. The station has tunnel ventilation system which can suck in the smoke during any fire accident.

5. Once the station is completed, Chennai Metro will restore Shenoy Nagar Park

6. Shenoy Nagar station will be only underground station to have access to natural lighting

7. It is the only station in the underground stretch to have cross over facility to keep additional train on standby during the peak hour

writingonblog uncensored: SC asks panel to submit interim report on Moulivak...

writingonblog uncensored: SC asks panel to submit interim report on Moulivak...: C Shivakumar Chennai: Supreme Court has asked the three member committee, that was appointed by the apex court, to submit the interim rep...

SC asks panel to submit interim report on Moulivakkam by April 22

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Supreme Court has asked the three member committee, that was appointed by the apex court, to submit the interim report on stability of the 11-storey building at Moulivakkam Crash site by April 22.



This comes after the three members of the four-member committee appointed by the Supreme Court inspected the building in Chennai on April 14.



The team comprised of Shashank Bisnoi, assistant professor, Indian Institute of New Delhi, L P Singh, general manager (Structure), National Building Construction and senior advocate Ashok Kumar Gupta.



Advocate Gaurav Agarwal, who was in the panel, has recused himself as he had some conflict of interest.



Currently, the panel is headed by Ashok Kumar Gupta. Supreme Court Judges Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh after hearing the petition by the district magistrate and Kancheepuram collector on April 18 has passed the order that the interim report should be tabled on Friday. The matter has been listed on Monday.



On June 28, 2014, a 11-storey under-construction apartment complex by Prime Sristi Housing Private Limited collapsed killing 60 people almost all of them construction workers. Another block at the same site was ordered to be demolished by the Kancheepuram collector after an enquiry by the state government found that this structure was also unsafe.



The Supreme Court has told the committee that they wanted to know whether the building has the strength to withstand any natural calamity or it is likely to collapse at any point of time without there being a calamity

Rising above the challenge; Bureaucrats recount experiences

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

"I was taken as captive and stayed in office for whole night in 2005 when heavy vehicle factory workers locked the office premises, " recalls former Indian defence accounts officer Usha Grace Antony while sharing her experiences in the book At the Service of A Billion plus. 

Usha, who had retired on December 2011, from the post of additional controller general of defence accounts, recalls her experience as Controller of Finance and Accounts at Avadi, Tamil Nadu. “We had to face a hostile mob of Heavy Vehicle Factory (HVF) factory workers who were demanding payments contrary to rules.

“We stood on our ground and the mob instigated by factory officers who were unhappy with accounts and audits took law in their own hands and took us captive for whole night,” she recalls in the book, which is edited by Indian Revenue Service officer Sankar Ganesh Karuppiah. Ganesh is currently working as deputy commissioner of Income Tax in Chennai.

Talking to Express Sankarganesh says that the book has 20 narratives from seasoned bureaucrats who share their experiences and challenges. “The book is basically written to ward off misconceptions in teh minds of the aspirants that one service is superior than other.

And it stands true. Take the case of 1979 batch Indian Civil Accounts Service officer S M Kumar. Currently,a regional treasury advisor for International Monetary Fund in Bangkok, the bureaucrat was instrumental in shaping the future of strife-torn Liberia while on deputation to World Bank in Monrovia.

His success was such that The President of Liberia was hesitant to leave him.

In another instance, 1991 batch Indian Police Service officer M Ravi, who is now the Chief Vigilance Officer of Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers Federation, recalls how he defused a tense situation two days before the parliament election in Villupuram.

“There was an incident of Chappal garlanding on a statue of national leader in Tindivanam. Nearly 2,000 people blocked the National Highway and prevented police officials from removing the slippers from the statue,” the IPS officer who was deputed as election officer recalls.

With my presence of mind, I purchased a beautiful garland and a bottle of mineral water. I raised the police siren to grab the attention of people. Without wasting time on negotiation, I removed the garland of slippers and poured mineral water on the head of the statue before garlanding it. The violent mob started clapping,” he says.

“These incidents would inspire the civil service aspirants and uphold the glory and traditions of civil service,” says Sankarganesh.

“Earlier, there was a difference in exam pattern creating a kind of superiority or inferiority among civil servants. Now the pattern of exams is same and hence the feeling faded,” says the Indian Revenue service officer.

Name of the Book: At The Service of a Billion Plus

Edited by: Sankarganesh Karuppiah

Publishing House: Yaavarum Kelir

Price: Rs 399

Pages: 290

Chennai Metro has technology akin to black box in flights

Chennai;

Do you know that your Chennai metro train has safety and security features akin to a aircraft? 

After the blast in Brussels metro facility, India security experts have been looking at the safety and security of Chennai’s Metro during the event of disaster and it has been found that the metro rails have been fitted with Event recorder which is synonymous with flight data recorder.

“Each train has one Event Recorder which is connected to train control and management system (TCMS) network,” says a Metro Rail spokeswoman.

The EVR can provide vital train data even after unusual events. The digital output from the EVR is protected against surges and transients in order to comply with the specifications of EN50155, an international standard of railway applications electronic equipment used on rolling stock.

“EVR usually records train data to act as a judicial recording unit. It also recieved train data from the vehicle network. It usually helps in monitoring faults,” the spokeswoman said

Similarly, like the cockpit voice recorder which records communication made by pilots, the footage of CCTV surveillance cameras in trains are recorded by a separate system through network video recorder

Similarly each rake of Chennai Metro has automatic train protection and automatic train operation. The trains are provided with electrically operated bi-parting automatic sliding doors to ensure the safety passengers. Besides each rake will have route map, public address system, passenger emergency intercoms, video surveillance and CCTV. 

Rs 4 cr initiative to skill urban slum youth

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Urban unemployed youth in slums in Chennai could heave a sigh of relief as Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board is planning to provide them with skills to earn their livelihood.

It is learnt that the Slum Clearance Board will impart skill development training for unemployed youth in Chennai and other towns at a cost of Rs 4.04 crore during 2016-17.

This was informed by the state slum clearance board to Niti Ayog during a consultative meeting to eliminate poverty in India held in Hyderabad recently. 

The Slum Clearance Board also informed the Niti Ayog that to upgrade the skills of youth, formal and informal courses in tailoring, cosmetology, fashion technology, and fabric designing, computer application and tally, data entry and web designing will be imparted to the unemployed slum youth.

Interestingly, figures provided by slum clearance board revealed that though Tamil Nadu may be one of the most urbanised states in India but it has only 6.54 per cent of urban poor which is way below the national average of 13.7 per cent.

According to official figures which were provided the percentage of persons below urban poverty line in 2011-12 has been estimated at 6.54pc in Tamil Nadu.

The figures have been estimated as per the guidelines of planning commission, which states that for a family of five, poverty line in terms of consumption expenditure would amount to rs 5,000 per month in urban areas.

Meanwhile, slum clearance board also announced that it is planning to provide 12.94 lakh houses for the urban slum and non-slum urban poor at a cost of Rs 63,840 crore before 2023.

The elimination of urban poverty will become complete only if the urban dwellers attain economic empowerment,” sources said.

Your dream nest to cost more by Rs 2.5 per square feet

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Your dream nest in Greater Chennai will now cost Rs 2.5 per square feet more as developers are thinking of passing on the revised Metro Water Infrastructure Development Charges to their customers.

This comes after Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has passed an office order that the infrastructure development charges (Metro Water), which were earlier Rs 100, has been revised to Rs 121 per square metre. This has already come into effect from April 1.

The revised infrastructure charges is applicable on special buildings, group development and multi-storied building proposals in the Greater Chennai Corporation limit. 

Ajit Kumar Chordia, President of Confederation of Real Estate Developers, Chennai. told Express that the move by CMDA to revise the IDC by another Rs 21 will have an impact on the realty sector.

“The prices of flats and other developments will go up by Rs 2.5 per square feet,” he says.

Interestingly, the realty sector has been protesting against the hike and it is likely that developers may approach the government seeking rollback.

Chordia said the revision of infrastructure development charges has come at a time when the realty sector is struggling.

“The revision of IDC is applicable at Greater chennai Corporation where there is hardly any sewerage network or drinking water supply. Already, CMDA has increased the infrastructure and amenities charges to Rs 375. This will have an impact on the realty sector,” he said.

The National chairman of Confederation of Real Estate Developer’s Association of India (Best Practices) T Chitty Babu said that the cost of developing a property is adding up be it construction materials or taxes. “From April 1, we have to pay 15pc service tax for the services provided by the government. 

“Why is the beneficiary being taxed. The service provider should pay the tax,” he reasoned. Babu said he along with other developers would approach the government to roll back the revised IDC charges implemented by CMDA. “In the end all these will have to be passed on to our customers,” he added