writingonblog uncensored: Post Brexit: UK airline passengers to fall by 3 to...

writingonblog uncensored: Post Brexit: UK airline passengers to fall by 3 to...: London: Britain's decision to leave the EU would affect the airline industry with a fall in UK passengrs by 3 to per cent driven by ex...

writingonblog uncensored: Turkish ship arrested by Madras High Court for den...

writingonblog uncensored: Turkish ship arrested by Madras High Court for den...: C Shivakumar Chennai: Denied wages for several  months and forced to work on  a ship whose sea worthiness  was questionable, the crew ...

Turkish ship arrested by Madras High Court for denial of wages to crew

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Denied wages for several months and forced to work on a ship whose sea worthiness was questionable, the crew of Panamian flagship vessel M V Karaagac, a bulk carrier owned by Turkish owner, got justice in Indian shores when Madras High Court ordered the arrest of the vessel on Friday evening for non-payment of wages.

Not only that, the the Nippon Kaiji Kyokai Class vessel has been detained by the Port State Control of Marine Mercantile Department for not being sea worthy. Interestingly, justice was delivered day before International Seafarers Day, which falls on Saturday.

This comes in the wake of The New Indian Express exposing the plight of the crew onboard M V Kargaac after it was inspected by Sreekumar, an inspector of International Transport workers Federation, an international trade union federation of transport workers' unions, along with Manoj Joy, Chaplain of Sailors Society, after ITF’s London office forwarded a complaint to Chennai office.

The ship which arrived here on Wednesday from Chittagong had been in a pretty bad shape with ballast system, water ingress system, fire alarm, navigational equipment and rescue boat were out of order. Crew members state that there has been two incidents which took place posing imminent threat to the life of crew members. A few of the crew suffered injuries while working in the ship.

The ship also does not have valid contract as ship's flag has been changed from Malta to Panama. Interestingly, it is learnt that the ship was arrested in Turkey over issues pertaining to crew. At that time, it was in bad shape and had to undergo repairs. But then even before it was repaired it was asked to sail immediately.

As per the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, the owners have to ensure the ship is safe and the crew welfare needs to be taken care. 

Sreekumar, who took power of attorney for the crew approached Madras High Court in the morning and by evening got an order from Justice M M Sundaresh to arrest the ship, which is docked in Chennai Port and is loading steel coils.

Now the ship can leave Chennai waters only after paying the wages of the crew as well as repairing the defects. This would mean an inspection gain by NKK, a ship classification agency to ensure seaworthiness of the vessel.

Factfile:

Name of the ship: M V Karaagac

Flag: Panama

Registry: Panama

Built: Shangai Shipyard

Manager: Amanos Gemi Isletmecilihi Ltd

Agent: PSTS

Type of Vessel: Bulk Carrier

Class: Nippon Kaiji Kyokai

Insurer: Skuld

writingonblog uncensored: Massive IT searches result in seizure of Rs 80 cro...

writingonblog uncensored: Massive IT searches result in seizure of Rs 80 cro...: Chennai: In one of the massive search  conducted by Income Tax  department on Friday, sleuths  of Income tax seized more  than Rs 80 cro...

Massive IT searches result in seizure of Rs 80 crore from premises of two Puducherry institutions

Chennai:

In one of the massive search conducted by Income Tax department on Friday, sleuths of Income tax seized more than Rs 80 crore  from premises of Sri Satya Sai Group of institutions and Mahatma Gandhi College of Medical sciences. 

A top income tax official told Express that the raid by was carried only by income tax department in 30 premises and a total of 250 income tax personnel were involved.

Hitting out at media reports for spreading rumours that the raids were being jointly conducted by CBI’s anti-corruption bureau or any other such agencies in tandem with income tax department, the official said that it is one of the biggest raids conducted following intelligence gathered by Income Tax officials..

“The intelligence was gathered by income tax officials. We searched 17 places in Tamil nadu, including six to seven in chennai and remaining in Kodaikanal. Similarly, 12 premises were raided in Puducherry and one in New Delhi.

The raids are still being conducted and a proper assessment will be in place only after the raids get over.

writingonblog uncensored: Post Brexit: UK airline passengers to fall by 3 to...

writingonblog uncensored: Post Brexit: UK airline passengers to fall by 3 to...: London: Britain's decision to leave the EU would affect the airline industry with a fall in UK passengrs by 3 to per cent driven by ex...

Post Brexit: UK airline passengers to fall by 3 to 5pc by 2020

London:
Britain's decision to leave the EU would affect the airline industry with a fall in UK passengrs by 3 to per cent driven by expected downturn in economic activity and the fall of sterling exchange rate, accoding to International Air Transport Association.

A report by IATA said that near-term impact on the UK air freight market is less certain, but freight will be affected by lower international trade in the longer term.
"A big issue is with aviation regulation. The UK faces a trade-off between accessing the European Single Aviation Market and having the policy freedom to set its own regulations," said IATA..
There were 117 million air passenger journeys between the UK and the EU in 2015. Air links facilitate business, support jobs and build prosperity. It is critical that whatever form the new UK-EU relationship takes, it must continue to ensure the common interests of safe, secure, efficient and sustainable air connectivity," said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

DRI foils bid to smuggle Rs 1.62 cr worth North-East gold through train

Chennai:

Two persons were arrested as smugglers bid to smuggle 5kg of gold worth Rs 1.62 crore into Chennai from North-East through a train was foiled by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officials..

Though this is the second such attempt in the last one week by smugglers to smuggle gold from north-east through land by using couriers after Directorate of Revenue Intelligence have sealed the air and sea routes, smugglers are using innoative ways to avoid detection.

Unlike the previous seizure, the smugglers concealed 27 foreign gold bars, crude gold bits of 24 carat purity which were kept inside in specially specially made cavities of three suitcases for hiding the contraband. 

While in the previous occasion, DRI foiled an attempt by recovering 2.33kg of gold bars worth Rs 72 lakh from a two-member gang in a Andhra Pradesh State Transport Bus which was entering the city, this time the smugglers tried the train route 

And had tried to smuggle it through Dibrugarh-Chennai Egmore Express (15930).

Foiling the bid to smuggle gold especially through the land route has been challenging for DRI but through intelligence gathering, the last two to three operations had been successful.

Currently, a special team of DRI officers from Chennai has been formed for analysis of intelligence and for identification of suspect passengers by studying their travel pattern and modus of concealment in bags or suitcases.

The duo --- Shaikh Mohammed and Nizam, who were arrested under the provisions of Customs Act 1962 admitted that they smuggled gold for monetary consideration, DRI said

writingonblog uncensored: Aviation Finance Company reaches $6.5bn of financi...

writingonblog uncensored: Aviation Finance Company reaches $6.5bn of financi...: Dublin, Ireland: Aviation Finance Company (“AFC”) Limited, a Stellwagen Group company headquartered in Dublin, has now completed over $6.5 ...

Aviation Finance Company reaches $6.5bn of financing

Dublin, Ireland: Aviation Finance Company (“AFC”) Limited, a Stellwagen Group company headquartered in Dublin, has now completed over $6.5 billion of financing with the sale and leaseback of its eighth A380-800 to Emirates. 
This will be the second A380 that will be owned by Stellwagen.  Since its foundation three years ago, AFC has financed the delivery of aircraft for both airlines and leasing companies.  Seraph Aviation Management, a Stellwagen Group company, will provide lease management services for the term of the lease.

writingonblog uncensored: CBI official gets jail for abusing official positi...

writingonblog uncensored: CBI official gets jail for abusing official positi...: Chennai: The additional special judge  for CBI cases Kannammal  convicted deputy  superintendent of police,  Central Bureau of  Investig...

CBI official gets jail for abusing official position

Chennai:

The additional special judge for CBI cases Kannammal convicted deputy superintendent of police, Central Bureau of Investigation, for two years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs 20,000 for abusing his official position in helping people cheat Customs department.

Anti Corruption Branch of CBI, Chennai, which investigated the case found that Vinod Kumar Gollapudi, along with Natha Venkata Vathsa Vardhan and S M Sadiq cheated Customs Department by not declaring the dutiable goods in the Customs Disembarkation/ Declaration cards brought from abroad by evading customs duty in connivance of DSP, CBI K A A Salaam, who abused his official position as a CBI officer and thereby caused  wrongful loss of Rs two lakh to Customs Department.

On completion of trial, Salaam, G Vinod Kumar, Natha Venkata Vathsa Vardhan were convicted and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 2 years each and a fine Rs 20,000 was imposed on K A A Salaam and Rs 10,000 was imposed on Vinod Kumar and Natha Venkata Vathsa Vardhan respectively. Sadiq was acquitted from the charges.

writingonblog uncensored: TN starts process of conducting demand survey unde...

writingonblog uncensored: TN starts process of conducting demand survey unde...: Chennai: Tamil Nadu government has started the process of conducting the demand survey for housing, which is a pre-requisite for getting ...

TN starts process of conducting demand survey under Housing for All project

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu government has started the process of conducting the demand survey for housing, which is a pre-requisite for getting funds from Centre under the Housing for All project.



Sources revealed that top officials from Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), director of town panchayats, commissioner of municipal administration and commissioner of Greater Chennai corporation would take part in a high-level meeting to be held on Monday to discuss the demand assessment to identify beneficiaries under Housing for All project.



It is learnt that 157 town panchayats in 29 districts would benefit from the project. 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.



A report was already submitted earlier this month by directorate of town panchayats citing the project cost as well as beneficiaries. It is learnt that directorate of town panchayats has estimated Rs 253 crore in building 10,000 units in 157 town panchayats in 29 districts.



Initially, the survey on the demand for housing to be carried out by the state government was delayed due to lack of data. It was learnt that the housing secretary has written a letter to the Census commissioner seeking the census data.



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

writingonblog uncensored: Heritage act only on paper

writingonblog uncensored: Heritage act only on paper: Chennai: It is nearly five years since  the Tamil Nadu Heritage  Commission Act came to into  being but the delay to  implement it has cas...

Heritage act only on paper

Chennai:

It is nearly five years since the Tamil Nadu Heritage Commission Act came to into being but the delay to implement it has cast a shadow on preserving the rich heritage of the state.

The failure to constitute statutory authority under the Act which will advise the government on heritage issues has put to test the legitimacy of the list submitted by Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.

Interestingly, the list of 168 buildings has been prepared by the Heritage Conservation Committee which was constituted before the Act came into being. Sources say that the list has been forwarded to government for its notification after consultation with public and owners.

Once the new Act is up in place, the government has to dissolve the old committee and constitute a fresh 17 member Heritage Conservation Commission, says noted historian and heritage activist S Muthiah.

Interestingly, the commission has yet to be constituted which has irked those who have been taking pride in the rich cultural heritage of the state. 

The irony is that there are more than 600 heritage buildings and the Heritage Conservation Committee in the last five years has managed to come up with a list of 168 heritage buildings in the city.

Sources said that the fourth draft list is being prepared. But will the list be validated as per the new act. Is the Heritage Conservation Committee valid since it was in place prior to the Act being in place.

CMDA monitoring Committee member M G Devasahayam said that without the Act in place the conservation of heritage buildings won’t be possible. He says the Act could not be implemented as the rules are yet to be framed. “the whole process is whimsical,” he said.

“They have prepared the list but they are not serious about conservation of heritage building,” he alleged.

He said that the heritage buildings are valuable real estate and if they could not be protected, there is every reason of it being demolished in a city which lacks land for development.

Interestingly, the Act was passed as most of the heritage buildings or premises are not covered under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and the Tamil Nadu Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1966. 

Factfile:

--- On April, 2012 TN pushes for Tamil Nadu Heritage Commission Bill. 

--- Two weeks later the new Act is passed

-- The Heritage Commission Act is drafted similar to the lines of one which is prevalent in West Bengal

--- The act is to protect buildings or premises not covered under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and the Tamil Nadu Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1966

--- Heritage conservation committee has collected identified 500 sites but managed to collect details only about 168 sites.

--- CMDA has forwarded the list of 168 heritage buildings to be notified.

--- CMDA is currently preparing the fourth draft list of heritage buildings

writingonblog uncensored: Four tonnes of ‘Poisoned’ mangoes seized from Koya...

writingonblog uncensored: Four tonnes of ‘Poisoned’ mangoes seized from Koya...: Chennai: Every year, Chennaites have been consuming poisonous mangoes which have been artificially ripened using calcium carbide by traders...

Four tonnes of ‘Poisoned’ mangoes seized from Koyambedu market

Chennai:
Every year, Chennaites have been consuming poisonous mangoes which have been artificially ripened using calcium carbide by traders who wanted to earn fast bucks at the cost of consumers health.

But this year, Chennai Food Safety department is not taking things for granted. It has gone a step ahead and plans to initiate legal action against traders who are selling the carcinogenic mangoes.

Dr R Katiravan, designated officer, Chennai Food Safety department, told Express after seizing more than four tonnes of mangoes and 200kg of papayas from 65 shops in Koyambedu market, that usually after the raids food safety department lets off the traders but destroys the artificial ripened fruits.

But things are going to change now. “We have now taken samples from the mangoes seized and sent it for tests. The reports are awaited in the next 14 days following which we will file a case,” says Dr Kathiravan.

The traders would either be convicted or fined. Interestingly, the traders greed has no bounds. They have not only been artificially ripening mangoes but also other fruits that too at the cost of Chennaites health.

Kathiravan raided the 65 shops along with 10 food safety officers including Sadasivam, Manimaran, Raja, Loganathan Jai Gopal, Siva Sankar and Market Management Committee officials. He said that food safety officials would be conducting the raids frequently may be once in 10 days.

The raid was conducted around 10.30am and continued till 3.30pm. Around 250kg of calcium carbide stones, which were neatly concealed, were recovered from the shops.

This is the fourth raid conducted by the food safety department.

Harmful effects of eating artificial ripened mangoes:
1.Calcium carbide stone is used for arch welding
2.It is industrial grade chemical.
3.It consists of heavy metals like arsenic and lead
4.People consuming artificial ripened mangoes are prone to neurological disorder
5.Since it is a corrosive chemical, it is carcinogenic
6.It causes Gastritis

writingonblog uncensored: Sriperumbudur airport key to Chennai’s growth, sa...

writingonblog uncensored: Sriperumbudur airport key to Chennai’s growth, sa...: C Shivakumar Chennai: Chennai airport is likely to  reach its saturation level in  the next five years and the  proposed Greenfield ...

Sriperumbudur airport key to Chennai’s growth, says JICA

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Chennai airport is likely to reach its saturation level in the next five years and the proposed Greenfield airport in Sriperumbudur needs to be put into operation by 2020-21, according to a report prepared by Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The report ‘Comprehensie Integrated Masterplan for Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor’ prepared by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) states that the additional airport in Chennai is necessary as passenger demand is expected to surpass capacity in 2020-21.

The peak capacity of 23 million passengers of Chennai airport is expected to fall short of the rising demand in 2020-21 triggering the need for an additional airport in the region.

The report states that considering the time period of two to three years for land acquisition and development period of three to four years, the efforts for creation of this airport needs to begin immediately.

Chennai Airport director Deepak Shastri agrees to the recommendation put forth by the study stating that there is a need to start looking for secondary airport immediately as the current airport is likely to reach saturation level by 2025.

By 2025, the runway capacity would reach saturation level and if we plan now, then by the end of next 10 years after getting due clearances, we could have a secondary airport, he says.

Interestingly, JICA is pushing for a new airport as Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor is expected to increase manufacturing output significantly thus elements such as urbanisation, migration of skilled workforce and business travel are expected to increase significantly.

It is learnt that prevailing regulations of Ministry of Civil Aviation prohibits development of additional Greenfield airports within a region of 150km from existing airport. This could be a stumbling block as Sriperumbudur is only 40km away. However, JICA feels that Civil Aviation Ministry regulations would not strictly apply in cases where an existing airport’s capacity faces saturation triggering the need for an alternative airport.

JICA has predicted that the total air passenger traffic in Chennai Bangalore Industrial corridor airports is expected to be 118 million in the business as usual (BAU) scenario.

Cities like Bengaluru already has moved to a larger

airport due to the rapid growth and expansion of the city while Chennai, which earlier had plans for a Greenfield airport, has put off the plans despite huge investments come pouring in.

Factfile:

--- Sriperumbudur is located about 45 km west of Chennai, on the highway to Bangalore.

--- The industrial belt is spread over 10,000 acres and hosts a wide array of manufacturing units, including those of automobile, electronics, household appliance and engineering companies.

--- Though land was identified in 2007 for an airport in Sriperumbudur.

--- In 2010, the airport project was shelved by both state and Centre due to modernisation works being taken up taken up in Chennai airport

--- Project hopes revived with the release of Vision 2023 document on March 2012 which mentioned the greenfield airport 

--- JICA says that peak capacity of 23 million passengers of Chennai airport is expected to fall short of rising demand in the years 2020-21

writingonblog uncensored: Smugglers using North-East border to smuggle gold;...

writingonblog uncensored: Smugglers using North-East border to smuggle gold;...: Chennai: Smugglers are using North-East border to smuggle gold into Chennai and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) thwarted twin a...

Smugglers using North-East border to smuggle gold; Twin attempts foiled

Chennai:
Smugglers are using North-East border to smuggle gold into Chennai and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) thwarted twin attempts to smuggle gold into the city.

DRI sources said that on Monday they foiled an attempt by recovering 2.33kg of gold bars worth Rs 72 lakh from a two-member gang in a Andhra Pradesh State Transport Bus which was entering the city.

A special team of DRI officers intercepted the suspicious looking duo, who were travelling in the bus as it was entering Chennai based on intelligence inputs.

The duo had concealed four foreign gold bars of 24 carat purity in specially made cavities of two suitcases for hiding the contraband.

The duo-- Saikh Mohammed and Mohammed Jaffarullah have been subjected to detailed scrutiny by DRI to ascertain the nature of organised smuggling and the manner of concealment of gold.

The duo had been acting as couriers for bringing smuggled gold for monetary consideration

On the same day, DRI in Guwahati also seized 2.5kg of gold from two passengers who were taking a train to Chennai, DRI sources said

ED attaches Rs 51 cr fixed deposit of former MD of First Leasing

Chennai:

The Enforcement Directorate has attached Rs 51 crore fixed deposits of former managing director of First Leasing Company of India Farouk Irani, which was in the name of his family members and Family Maintenance Trust.

This comes in the wake of arrest of former managing director of First Leasing Company of India Farouk Irani for money laundering and cheating banks worth Rs 522 crore.

Joint director of Enforcement directorate K S V V Prasad said that the amount was recovered during searches being conducted in his residential premises at Chennai and the premises of his two daughters at Mumbai.

Based on the report of RBI audit inspection, stating that the accounts of First Leasing Company of India Ltd, Chennai, were falsified, consortium of lending banks has conducted a forensic audit of accounts which revealed that the company accounts were falsified so as to show inflated incomes and profits to the tune of over Rs 1600 crore. 

IDBI and State Bank of India lodged complaints and Central Bureau of Investigation, Bank Securities and Fraud Cell, Bengaluru has registered First Information Reports and started investigations into these bank fraud cases of about Rs 522 crore.

Kamarajar Port woos fishermen with Rs 1.57 cr CSR initiative

Chennai:

Will the Rs 1.57 crore Corporate Social Responsibility initiative by Kamarajar Port to provide skill development training under corporate social responsibility for fishermen will end the standoff over the reclamation of land along Kosalathiyar River and Buckingham canal? 

The move by Kamarajar Port has resulted in mixed reactions with a section of fishermen fearing the move is to take away their livelihood and providing them with other alternative.

Kosu Mani, president of Tamil Nadu Meenavar Makkal Munnani, told Express that the skill development initiative is a welcome step but if the Port officials plan to reclaim the land through such schemes then the protest would continue.

S P Aravindan of Netkuppam, who is also a member of the Ennore Port Union, says that the initiative to invest Rs 1.57 crore in CSR activity is a good move but offering courses like lab technician, tailoring or garment making, AC and Refrigeration mechanic is not enough.

“Ennore is very near to Chennai and people are not that backward. What we want is to improve the infrastructure of schools. The port should provide a computer lab to the government school in Netkuppam and develop it as a model school,” he said.

If the Kamrajar Port is offering such courses then it is a mere eyewash. It won’t benefit the fishermen, he says. He also says that the villages across the Ennore Creek have bene neglected under the CSR initiative.

Interestingly, the skill development training are being imparted by MRF Institute of Driver Development, Chennai and National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Hyderabad.

The training by MRF Institute has already started. Kamarajar Port Limited is incurring the cost of training, transport and also stipend. MRF Institute will be giving training to 196 applicants in driving. 

Similarly, the National Institute of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Hyderabad will provide training to 865 applicants in the trade of Lab technician, tailoring or garment making, air conditioner and Refrigeration mechanic, electrician, wireman, welding, motor rewinding and mobile phone servicing.

An Ennore spokesman said that the initiatives has been taken to make the local fishermen skilled in various trades and make them employable. This initiative was taken up as per the recommendation of NABARD consultants, appointed by Kamarajar Port Limited who have conducted the baseline survey of nearby villages.

Police hunts for man who dumped passports in letterbox

Chennai:

After more than 50 passports were found dumped in the letter box in Nanganallur in a span of nine days , the city police is now hunting for the person who has abandoned it.

While the antecedents of the abandoned passport holders is difficult to trace, the city police is trying to find out the culprit who have dumped the abandoned passports in the letter box.

The holders of passports are from Maharastra, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Karnataka and other states and it is difficult to get the antecedents of the owners, said a senior city police official.

“There is no contact number and we have to know the antecedents by cross checking the local address and it is a difficult task, said the police official.

Interestingly, some of the passports have been issued by Indian consulates abroad and city police is seeking details from Foreigner Regional Registration Offices.  “We wanted to ascertain whether the passport holders used the passport to travel abroad,” he said.

The police is also planning to seek the help of regional passport office in getting the data from the passport. “First we wanted to ascertain whether they have the database,” he said.

K Balamurugan, regional passport officer, Chennai, said that he is aware of about the abandoned passports. “We have yet to get it from the police. Once we get it, we will check its authenticity,” he says.

He says the data in the passport could be verified once it is swiped. 

Post master general Merwin Alexander says that it is surprising that only one letterbox is being used to dump the passports. Alexander says some of the passports were issued by Indian consulates abroad and finding such passports in the letterbox is a sensitive issue. He said that most of the passports recovered were original and not lapsed.

While the sensitivity could be a issue as the letterbox is located not too far away from the airport, airport director Deepak Shastri rules out the hand of any airport official.

“It could not be airport staff. It could be someone who wanted to forge passports but found out it could not be done so he would have abandoned it,” said airport sources. 

Shastri said that airport has a ‘Lost and Found Cell’ and the passports, whose owner is not traceable, is handed over to airport police.

It is learnt that on an average the airport police receive 10 to 12 missing passports every month. “We interact with immigration department as well as airport authority to find out the owner of the passport. If we are unable to find the owner, then we list it under non-traceable and give an advertisement in the paper. After that we hand it over to central crime Branch Bureau,” said airport police sources.. 

Factfile:

-- A total of 10 to 12 passports go missing in airport every month

--- The missing passports are handed over to airport police after the holders are not traced.

--- Police tries to check the antecedents by contacting the immigration as well as airport authority

-- If the owner of the passport is not found, then the passport is termed untraceable.

--- The police issues an advertisement to locate the holder of the passport.

--- The missing passport is then handed over to Central Crime Branch Bureau

CBI court orders two-year jail term for Central Excise superintendent

Chennai:

A superintendent of Central Excise department was sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 10,000 by principal special judge for CBI cases.

Judge A Kantha Kumar convicted G Murali Krishna,  Superintendent, Central Excise in a trap case filed by CBI.

The Anti Corruption Branch of CBI, Chennai investigated a case against Krishna, while he was on deputation to Special Economic Zone. Krishna had demanded and accepted a bribe of Rs 50,000 for issuing import documents (Bill of Entry).

Divert mobile phone calls to landline free of cost

Chennai:

Now you can divert your mobile phone calls to your landline free of cost.

Under the ‘Free to Home’ service launched by BSNL, a person having BSNL connection can transfer their mobile call to their landline. The call diversion facility is offered free of cost within license service area.

BSNL spokeswoman said that BSNL customers can receive crystal clear voice calls without worrying about quality and strength of mobile signals inside the building.

BSNL is also offering attractive combo voucher of Rs 786 during Ramzan festival for its pre-paid mobile customers.

writingonblog uncensored: Rs 1,200 crore ED notice to Devas multimedia in An...

writingonblog uncensored: Rs 1,200 crore ED notice to Devas multimedia in An...: Chennai: Enforcement directorate on Monday issued a showcause notice to Devas Multimedia for allegedly contravening the provisions of For...

Rs 1,200 crore ED notice to Devas multimedia in Antrix-Devas deal

Chennai:
Enforcement directorate on Monday issued a showcause notice to Devas Multimedia for allegedly contravening the provisions of Foreign Exchange Management act (FEMA).

The special director (southern region) Chennai told Express that the total alleged violation under FEMA is worth 1,217.76 crore.

The notice by Enforcement directorate comes in the wake of ED registering a money laundering case in connection with the Antrix-Devas spectrum deal worth Rs.1,000 crore, that is also being probed by Central Bureau of Investigation.

Enforcement Directorate investigated suspected contraventions of the the provisions of FEMA in the Foreign Direct Investment received by Devas Multimedia Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, from various overseas investors including CC Devas Mauritius LTD, Telecom Devas Mauritius Ltd, Deutsche Telkom Asia Pvt Ltd and Devas Employees Mauritius Pvt Ltd.

The official said that they have sought the reply of Devas Multimedia Pvt Ltd for the contravention. “Based on their reply we will go in for personal hearing after which adjudication will be passed,” he said.

“In case the alleged contravention is proved in the adjudication proceedings, the noticees are liable for penalty under FEMA, 1999, which may be imposed up to thrice the sum involved in such contravention,” the official said.

Talking about the contraventions, the Enforcement directorate source said that the share subscription agreements entered into by the Indian company contained clauses relating to settlement of disputes at courts other than India and applicability other than Indian laws on matters of dispute and thus the FDI recieved by Devas Multimedia were contrary to the conditions specified in the approval granted by Foreign Investment Promotion Board and thus contravening the provisions of FEMA. The extent of contravention is Rs 578.54 crore.

Similarly, Devas Multimedia assured the overseas investor an annual 8pc priority dividend on cumulative basis Such assured dividends are not nature of equity investment and is contrary to FDI provisions under FEMA. The investment received under this is Rs 571.72 crore.

The third contravention pertains to the company violating the RBI regulations. The extent of contravention is Rs 67.50 crore

writingonblog uncensored: India-Korea coastguards to conduct joint exercise ...

writingonblog uncensored: India-Korea coastguards to conduct joint exercise ...: Chennai: In a bid to strengthen  working level relationship  between Indian and Korean  Coastguards, a joint exercise  will be held from W...

India-Korea coastguards to conduct joint exercise in Chennai

Chennai:

In a bid to strengthen working level relationship between Indian and Korean Coastguards, a joint exercise will be held from Wednesday.

Korean Coastguard ship 3009, which will be visiting Chennai on Wednesday, will participate in the event.

Named ‘Sahyog-Hyeoblyeog-2016’The exercise encompasses an anti-piracy scenario where in hijacked vessel is subsequently rescued in a combined coastguard operation by both the countries.

The exercise, which will jointly be witnessed by director general of Indian Coastguard Rajendra Singh and Honglk-Tae, commissioner general of Korea Coast Guard, will include interdiction of pirate vessel, joint boarding operation, external fire fighting and various other features. 

Last year Indian Coast Guard ship Sarang visited Korea for joint exercise.

Land Acquisition Acts don’t have provisions on taking over possession of land

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

There are no provisions to take possession of land acquired under Land Acquisition Acts of 1894 and 2013. 

After Madras High Court has sought Housing secretary’s comment on seeking his opinion on whether there are provisions in the law for taking over possession of land, it is learnt that there are no provisions under the old and new land acquisition acts.

The housing secretary has submitted that under the Section 16 of Land acquisition Act, 1894: When the collector has made an award under Section 11, he may take possession of the land which shall thereupon vest absolutely in the government free from all encumbrances. 

He has submitted that there is no provision in the old Land acquisition Act regarding mode for taking over the possession of the land. 

However, it was Supreme Court, during the hearing of Banda Development Authority versus Moti Lal Agarwal, laid down the mode of taking over possession of land. “if the acquired land is vacant, the act of the state authority concerned to go to the spot and prepare a panchnama will ordinarily be treated as sufficient to constitute taking of possession.”

Similarly, it also laid down provision that if the crop is standing on the acquired land or building, mere going to the spot by the authority concerned will by itself is not sufficient for taking possession of the land. The authority has to give a notice to the occupier of the building or the landowner and take possession in the presence of independent witnesses and get their signatures on the panchnama.

The refusal of the owner of the land or building may not lead to an inference that the possession of acquired land has not been taken, as per the provision laid down by the Supreme Court. 

Similary, if the acquisition is of a large tract of land, a symbolic possession is taken by preparing an appropriate document in the presence of independent witnesses and getting their signatures on the document.

Interestingly, the new land acquistion act does not have any provision over the method of taking over lands, the secretary observed.

writingonblog uncensored: Chennai Metro to start trial run in underground st...

writingonblog uncensored: Chennai Metro to start trial run in underground st...: C Shivakumar Chennai: Even as Chennai Metro’s elevated stretch is set to be completed and likely to be put into operation most probably b...

Chennai Metro to start trial run in underground stretch in next two weeks

C Shivakumar
Chennai:
Even as Chennai Metro’s elevated stretch is set to be completed and likely to be put into operation most probably by August, it is the trip below the ground which Chennaites are yearning for.

And there is some good news. Chennai Metro is likely to start trial run of its metro coaches below the ground in the next couple of weeks between Koyambedu and Shenoy Nagar.

Chennai Metro did use its train once but it was pulled by a wagon car. Now the trial run will be done using with the train only after energising the stretch.

Ruling out the possibility of opening up the underground stretch for commercial run in the month of August, a Metro Rail source said that still some signalling and other work is pending. “It is unlikely that the underground stretch would open along with the elevated stretch, he said.

Interestingly, the work between Kilpauk and Nehru Park is still pending and Chennai Metro hopes to complete it in the next 10 days.

It is learnt that long-pending tunelling operations on Anna Salai Metro stretch will resume in the next 10 to 15 days.
“It has been lying idle for nearly a year. We have to first ensure that it is made operational,” he added.

For this the entire system, including the tunnel boring machine, will be monitored. “We will also be checking other tunnelling equipment,” said the source. The stretch from Government Estate to DMS is likely to be completed in next 10 months. The work is pending in stretch after Russian firm Mosmetrostroy suddenly left the project and Gammon India’s contract was terminated

Centre plans Rs 90,000 cr investment in TN under Sagarmala initiative

Chennai:

A total of Rs 90,000 crore will be invested in Tamil Nadu in the next five years under the Sagarmala initiative, according to Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Interestingly, the focus of the Sagarmala project is more on developing the proposed Enayam port in Kanniyakumari. The port is likely to emerge as a southern gateway of transshipment in the country. The Centre is planning to invest Rs 6,500 crore in developing the port in the first phase.

Of the Rs 90,000 crore proposed investment in Tamil Nadu under Sagarmala initiative, a sizeable chunk of Rs 33,000 crore is being spent to link the proposed new port with industrial cluster in Coimbatore and Bangalore.

Gadkari told reporters during a televised conference that Union Shipping Ministry is planning Rs 13,000 crore investment in developing a Expressway from Tirupur Industrial Cluster (Coimbatore) to Enayam. Similarly, Rs 20,000 crore woth Expressway is planned to link Whitefield Industrial Cluster (Bangalore) with Enayam.

There is also a plan to link Nagarcoil with Enayam with an investment of Rs 86 crore. 

To a query on the protest by people against the proposed port fearing land acquisition, the minister said that port would be built on the breakwaters and there is no need for land acquisition. “The land would be acquired for laying railway lines, roads and improving its width,” he said.

He also said that Union Shipping Ministry would invest Rs 15,500 crore in developing marine and steel clusters in Ennore.

To a query on the delay in starting the inland waterways project in Tamil Nadu, the minister said that lots of rivers like Vaigai, Tamaraiparani, Palar, Ponnaiyar etc have been identified for inland water ways project by the state.

“We have got the sanction for Buckingham Canal project but it could not be started due to land acquisition issues. We hope the state government would resolve it,” said Gadkari.

Box:

Centre working on out of court settlement to resolve Chennai Port-Maduravoyal project  

Chennai:

Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has said that he is working out an out of court settlement to resolve the Chennai Port-Maduravoyal eleated corridor project.

“We request the Chief Minister to cooperate and resolve the issue at the earliest,” he said.