Sunday, November 26, 2017
writingonblog uncensored: Chennai Airport seeking help of Anna University wi...
writingonblog uncensored: Chennai Airport seeking help of Anna University wi...: C SHIVAKUMAR @ CHENNAI: After two back-to-back bird hits at Chennai Airport in the last two days, Airport Authority of India is now p...
Chennai Airport seeking help of Anna University wildlife expert to study pattern of migratory birds
C SHIVAKUMAR @ CHENNAI:
After two back-to-back bird hits at Chennai Airport in the last two days, Airport Authority of India is now planning to hire a consultant from Anna University to study presence of habitual, migratory and nocturnal birds in and around the 10km radius of the airport as well as the height of 5,000 feet to ensure safety of aircraft.
During the last two days, two aircraft of Indigo airlines suffered bird hits at an altitude of above 5,000 feet. On Thursday, a Doha bound Indigo flight which departed at 1.47 am flew into a flock of birds and it was forced to land in Chennai airport again. Similarly, on Wednesday evening, Chennai-Ahmedabad flight suffered a bird hit at an altitude of 5,500 feet and the flight was forced to land in Chennai.
Interestingly, the move to study and provide measures for bird and animal hazard control management in operational area and surroundings up to 10km radius was initiated a couple of years ago. However, the consultant Vanamitra could not take up the contract as difference of opinion cropped up between Vanamitra and Airport Authority of India and the project could not be taken up.
It is learnt that airport Authority of India is planning to rope in former director of Zoological survey of India, who is currently with Anna University, to help undertake the study.
Airport Director G Chandramouli said that the airport has enough infrastructure to stop bird menace in and around airport but it could do little at an altitude above 2,500 feet to 5,000 feet. He blamed the bird menace to the civic problem where in sewer network from Pallavaram and Polichur flow through the airport. IIT has submitted a report of re-routing the sewers. But the dirty water from the sewers and the canal tend to attract the birds.
Interestingly, besides the two high altitude bird hits, Chennai Airport has reported three to four suspected bird hits. As per the norms of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) norms, bird strikes are required to be reported by the countries so that they can be collected and forwarded to ICAO for inclusion in ICAO Birds Strike Information System (IBIS) database.
Chandramouli said that they have deployed zone guns (a gas that gives bursting sound to keep birds away from the flying zone) and bird scaring equipment. Plans are on to procure additional guns. “We also burst crackers to keep the birds away,” he said.
“We are also grading the entire airport before March 2018 so that the grass level is limited and prevent rodents,” said Chandramouli.
Meanwhile, talks are also underway with the state government over re-routing of sewers identified by a study conducted by IIT Madras.
Factfile;
1. Chennai Airport experienced two back to back high altitude bird hits this week.
2. Three suspected bird hits have been reported earlier.
3. Bird strike results in expensive repairs to aircraft, engines and results in losses or delays
4. As per ICAO provisions, bird strike reports have to be forwarded to Bird Strike Information database of ICAO
5. Airport Authority to take the services of former Zoological Survey of India director to conduct the study on bird/ animal aircraft strike hazard management
6. Chennai Airport to procure additional zone guns to keep away birds
writingonblog uncensored: Defence Minister seeks futuristic proposal from st...
writingonblog uncensored: Defence Minister seeks futuristic proposal from st...: CHENNAI: Defence Minister Nirmala Seetharaman has asked the Tamil Nadu government to submit a futuristic proposal before Global Invest...
Defence Minister seeks futuristic proposal from state to make TN a global defence hub
CHENNAI:
Defence Minister Nirmala Seetharaman has asked the Tamil Nadu government to submit a futuristic proposal before Global Investors Meet in September to make the state as one of the best defence hub of the country.
Speaking during an interactive session organised by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry in India, the minister said that the state should ‘think big’ by involving stake holders from the industry, defence and the academia and the focus would be for the next 50 years.
She was reacting to the plea by Tamil Nadu Industries Minister M C Sampath to set up a Defence Aero Park in Coimbatore to make the state a hub for defence production.
Seetharaman said that the state has to work out a futuristic proposal as what it is going to do for the next 50 years as the technology is becoming obsolete within a year.
The focus could be on Artificial Intelligence or Robotics which will ease the burden from our soldiers. “Tamil Nadu should look at futuristic segment and the Centre will be with you,” she said.
“You should lift yourselves on what you want to do not today but for the next 50 years. You need to break the glass ceiling,” she said.
Defending the Rafale deal, Seetharam said that for the last 10 years, the government in power then did nothing and the squadron strength was reduced. “We have to provide answer to our forces,” she said.
She also justified for going for only 36 Rafale jets. “You can’t manufacture all 126 jets at one. We also are getting aircraft from the HAL,” she said.
The minister said that the focus of the government is to strengthen the strategic partnership. “Those who want to manufacture can now supply from india. The import substitution is being done through indigenisation,” she said.
The minister also said that she has asked Defence Research Development Organisation to release from its kitty quite a few of what they have done for commercialisation
writingonblog uncensored: Rosatom denies its nuke facility exceeded content...
writingonblog uncensored: Rosatom denies its nuke facility exceeded content...: CHENNAI: Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) has denied reports that Mayak Production Association, one of its biggest nu...
Rosatom denies its nuke facility exceeded content of Ruthenium-106 in atmosphere
CHENNAI:
Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) has denied reports that Mayak Production Association, one of its biggest nuclear facilities in Russian federation is the source of exceeded content of Ruthenium-106 in the atmosphere.
In a statement, Rosatom press secretary for South Asia Alexander Antipin rejected media reports and said that all energy units of Russian nuclear power plants have been and are operated carefully and bear the load in accordance with the operations schedule.
“There are no deficiencies in equipment operation or any violation of operational safety at either Rosatom facility. The radiation situation around all nuclear facilities of the Russian Federation is normal and corresponds to the natural radiation background,” he said.
“Roshydromet's data on isotope contamination with ruthenium-106 allow us to conclude that the dose that could have been received by a person is 20 thousand times less than the maximum permissible annual dose and does not pose any danger to human health and life,” Rosatom said.
“The first data on the increased values of the volume activity of Ru-106 in the atmosphere was recorded simultaneously in the countries of Western Europe, in Tatarstan, Volgograd and the Southern Urals at the same levels (10-20 mBq / m3). Extremely high concentrations of Ru-106 in the atmosphere were recorded in Slovakia (29-30.09.2017) and in Romania (September 30, 2017), which are located at a distance of about 3,000 km from FSUE “Mayak Production Association”.
The atmospheric pollution by the isotope Ruthenium-106, indicated in the report of Roshydromet, is not related to the activities of the FSUE Mayak Production Association, the statement added.
In 2017, there was no production of the ruthenium-106 sources at FSUE “Mayak Production Association”, emissions to the atmosphere were in the usual regulatory values. Radiation background is normal.
“We additionally inform that we haven’t done the separation of ruthenium-106 from the spent nuclear fuel (and have not produced on its basis the sources of ionizing radiation) in our company for many years now. Thus, FSUE “Mayak Production Association” is not a source of the increased ruthenium-106 content in the atmosphere,” the statement added
writingonblog uncensored: Centre directs state to provide info about delaye...
writingonblog uncensored: Centre directs state to provide info about delaye...: C SHIVAKUMAR @ CHENNAI: Now home buyers in Tamil Nadu will be provided with information on the number of ongoing projects which are regist...
Centre directs state to provide info about delayed projects on TNRERA website
C SHIVAKUMAR @ CHENNAI:
Now home buyers in Tamil Nadu will be provided with information on the number of ongoing projects which are registered with Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority and are delayed beyond the completion date.
This comes after the Union Ministry of Housing Affairs has urged the state government to include the details in the interest of home buyers and public at large in the portal of Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority.
Similarly, the Centre has also sought number of ongoing projects that are required to be registered as per the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act but are not registered with the authority to be notified through the web portal.
“These information need to be regularly updated on the web portal on a monthly basis,” a Union Housing Ministry source said.
Interestingly, the state TNRERA portal has been drawing flak from town planners. Association of Professional Town Planners K M Sadanandh said that TNRERA portal lacks information which are mandated by the TNRERA Rules.
As per the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority, the developers who got Completion Certificate prior to May 1, 2017 are exempted from registering with TNRERA. However, those projects that have applied for Completion Certificate before June 22, 2017 and whose application have been rejected will have to be listed in TNRERA website. Interestingly, more than five months have passed but the list of projects that were denied Completion Certificate is not in the TNRERA website.
Sadanandh said that Real Estate Regulation Act was to ensure transparency in real estate sector but with such half-hearted measures, the very purpose of the Act and Rules has been diluted.
The withholding of information about the developer and his projects is allegedly blamed on former Chennai Metropolitan Development Authorities who are now part of Tamil Nadu Real Estate. “They could have selected the best professionals from banking sector, Indian Institute and Information Technology as well as reputed lawyers so that TNRERA could set an example for others to follow,” a former planner stated.
Factfile:
1. TNRERA portal has been asked to include information pertaining to projects registered but are delayed beyond completion date
2. The number of ongoing projects to be registered as per the act but are not registered with the Authority
3. Regularly update web portal on a monthly basis
Now home buyers in Tamil Nadu will be provided with information on the number of ongoing projects which are registered with Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority and are delayed beyond the completion date.
This comes after the Union Ministry of Housing Affairs has urged the state government to include the details in the interest of home buyers and public at large in the portal of Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority.
Similarly, the Centre has also sought number of ongoing projects that are required to be registered as per the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act but are not registered with the authority to be notified through the web portal.
“These information need to be regularly updated on the web portal on a monthly basis,” a Union Housing Ministry source said.
Interestingly, the state TNRERA portal has been drawing flak from town planners. Association of Professional Town Planners K M Sadanandh said that TNRERA portal lacks information which are mandated by the TNRERA Rules.
As per the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority, the developers who got Completion Certificate prior to May 1, 2017 are exempted from registering with TNRERA. However, those projects that have applied for Completion Certificate before June 22, 2017 and whose application have been rejected will have to be listed in TNRERA website. Interestingly, more than five months have passed but the list of projects that were denied Completion Certificate is not in the TNRERA website.
Sadanandh said that Real Estate Regulation Act was to ensure transparency in real estate sector but with such half-hearted measures, the very purpose of the Act and Rules has been diluted.
The withholding of information about the developer and his projects is allegedly blamed on former Chennai Metropolitan Development Authorities who are now part of Tamil Nadu Real Estate. “They could have selected the best professionals from banking sector, Indian Institute and Information Technology as well as reputed lawyers so that TNRERA could set an example for others to follow,” a former planner stated.
Factfile:
1. TNRERA portal has been asked to include information pertaining to projects registered but are delayed beyond completion date
2. The number of ongoing projects to be registered as per the act but are not registered with the Authority
3. Regularly update web portal on a monthly basis
writingonblog uncensored: Tuticorin Port to be converted to mainland port
writingonblog uncensored: Tuticorin Port to be converted to mainland port: CHENNAI: Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said that Tuticorin port will be converted from a feeder port to a mainland port with d...
Tuticorin Port to be converted to mainland port
CHENNAI:
Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said that Tuticorin port will be converted from a feeder port to a mainland port with deepening of draft to 16.5 metres so that mother vessels with a tonnage of 1.6 lakh tonnes can enter the port.
This will ensure that exporters from Tamil Nadu can directly export their goods to United States and Europe as international lines are quite near rather than routing it via Colombo and Singapore.
“The tender to deepen the draft will be awarded this year at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore,” said Gadkari.
This will reduce the logistics cost by 30pc and increase the capacity of Port by 50 per cent, said Gadkari.
This will also catapult Tuticorin Port from a feeder port to a mainland port with mother land vessels calling. Tuticorin has also created raw cotton warehouse which will help those importing cotton, the minister said.
He also said that shipping ministry will be providing 250 deep sea fishing vessels to Tamil Nadu fishermen for deep sea fishing so that incursion on international maritime border line is reduced. Each vessel will cost Rs 80 lakh and is manufactured by Kochi shipyard. “This will provide a new era in fishing industry,” the minister said.
The minister also said that two coastal employment zones have been identified in Ennore and Tuticorin. He said 800 acres of land near Tuticorin Port and 315 acres in Ennore Port has been identified for development. He said plans are also to develop Poompuhar and Chinnamuttam fishing harbours at a cost of Rs 138 crore and rs 73.5 crore respectively.
He said the passenger ferry service will be launched from Kanyakumari to Rameshwaram and Trivandrum and said if any private operator is interested, his ministry will be providing them with required financial support
writingonblog uncensored: Chennai-Bangalore Expressway work to start from De...
writingonblog uncensored: Chennai-Bangalore Expressway work to start from De...: CHENNAI: The work on Rs 20,000 crore Chennai-Bangalore Expressway, which passes through Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, wi...
Chennai-Bangalore Expressway work to start from December 2018
CHENNAI:
The work on Rs 20,000 crore Chennai-Bangalore Expressway, which passes through Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, will start from December next year provided Tamil Nadu acquires 80pc of land, according to Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.
Gadkari said that the work on the proposed 262-km-long, six-lane, access-controlled Chennai- Bengaluru Expressway project is delayed due to land acquisition by Tamil Nadu.
“Once 80pc of land is acquired by Tamil Nadu, then work on the project will begin which is expected to cost more than Rs 20,000 crore due to new land acquisition act.
He said Chennai-Bangalore Expressway is one of the 12 expressway projects which is being launched by the NDA government.
He also said that his ministry has sanctioned Rs 2,300 crore to rectify the 61 blackspots in national highway in the state. In 2016, a total of 17,218 people were killed in road accidents in the state. As per data, the state loses nearly Rs 61 crore every day due to road fatalities alone. If grievous injuries are added, the loss is around Rs 131 crore per day.
The also said the detailed project report (DPR) of stalled Chennai Port-Maduravoyal Project will be submitted in the next three months.
writingonblog uncensored: CBI books former AGM of IOB for cheating bank wort...
writingonblog uncensored: CBI books former AGM of IOB for cheating bank wort...: CHENNAI: The Central Bureau of Investigation has booked a former assistant general manager of Indian Overseas bank and two other...
CBI books former AGM of IOB for cheating bank worth Rs 55.69cr
CHENNAI:
The Central Bureau of Investigation has booked a former assistant general manager of Indian Overseas bank and two others for cheating IOB worth Rs 55.69 crore.
According to CBI, the then assistant general manager of IOB, Irungattukottai, V Subbaraman sanctioned packing credit, a loan granted by bank to an exporter for financing the purchase, worth Rs 50 crore to Pesco Beam Environmental Solutions represented by managing director A Subramaniam and executive director A Shankar based on fictional sale agreements that were not meant for implementation.
CBI said that Pesco Beam submitted a proposal with fraudulent intention claiming of a order where in the importer would pay 65pc of invoice value on completion of inspection even before the goods were shipped. It was claimed this will recover the packing credit loan.
The assistant general manager was aware that there was no order for imports from any importer and allowed the substitution of buyer against the norms of the loan, changed payment terms and granted extension of time to Pesco Beam by abusing his official position. This resulted in default in repayments and caused loss to the bank worth Rs 55.69 crore.
The three were booked for offences such as criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal misconduct of a public servant punishable under various sections of Prevention of corruption Act, 1988.
writingonblog uncensored: TNPCB clearance not required for residential build...
writingonblog uncensored: TNPCB clearance not required for residential build...: TNPCB empowered to monitor conditions imposed in environmental clearance issued by SEIAA C SHI VAKUMAR @ CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Pollution...
TNPCB clearance not required for residential building projects with less that 1.5 lakh sqm built up area
TNPCB empowered to monitor conditions imposed in environmental clearance issued by SEIAA C SHIVAKUMAR @ CHENNAI:
Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) will not monitor residential building projects whose built up area is less than 1.5 lakh square metres, according to sources in state environment and forests department.
This comes after TNPCB is to be empowered to monitor conditions imposed in environmental clearance issued by State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).
Sources said that as per norms residential up to 1.5 lakh square metre of built up area has to get environmental clearance from local authorities and Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change notification states that ‘No consent to Establish and Operate under the Water Act, 1974’ and the Air Act, 1981’ will be required from State Pollution Control Board.
Sources said that TNPCB has sought remarks from the state housing and urban development regard.
Meanwhile, TNPCB will not monitor environmental clearances issued for mining or minor minerals which include beach and river sand mining and coastal regulation zone monitoring.
This comes after more than thousands of files that have been cleared by SEIAA and District Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (DEIAA) is pending with regional office of Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change here.
It is learnt that MOEF has written to the state environment department to identify suitable agency to monitor stipulated conditions while issuing environmental clearance.
Interestingly, as per Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification, 2006, there is no provision for State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) to monitor EIA conditions. Its primary duty is to conduct public hearing and forward the proceedings to regulatory authority within 45 days of a request from the project proponent.
Sources indicated that TNPCB has accepted to monitor projects falling under Schedule-I of EIA notification 2006 as amended except mining activity of minor minerals and sand mining and CRZ clearances issued.
It is learnt that a permanent member from TNPCB in the rank of chief environment engineer or additional chief environmental engineer will be posted in SEIAA to represent the views of TNPCB while granting environmental clearance to projects as suggested by Central Pollution Control Board in February 2, 2017.
writingonblog uncensored: Only 50km of Second Phase of Chennai Metro will be...
writingonblog uncensored: Only 50km of Second Phase of Chennai Metro will be...: Chennai: Only 50 per cent of the second phase of Chennai Metro Rail will be initially funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency and...
Only 50km of Second Phase of Chennai Metro will be taken up initially using JICA funds, says Bansal
Chennai:
Only 50 per cent of the second phase of Chennai Metro Rail will be initially funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency and tenders are likely to be awarded in the financial year, according to Pankaj Kumar Bansal, Managing Director of Chennai Metro Rail.
Speaking on ‘Can the Metro Rail Transform Chennai’ organised by Chennai International Centre at Madras School of Economics on Friday evening, Bansal said that only 50 per cent of the 107km stretch project will be taken up in the first phase after which Tamil Nadu government will either seek funding from JICA or from other sources.
Chennai Metro Rail has submitted a revised Detailed Project Report seeking Rs 80,000 crore for implementing the Second Phase of Chennai Metro which will have three corridors. These include Madhavaram-Siruseri, Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT)-Lighthouse and Madhavaram-Sholinganallur. “We are also in the process of revising the proposal to extend the Chennai Metro Rail line from the Lighthouse near Marina Beach to Poonamallee in the city outskirts at an additional cost of 3,850 crore,” said Bansal.
This comes as Tamil Nadu government is on the verge of sealing an agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) by the end of this financial year.
Bansal said the Second Phase once implemented will take seven to eight years to complete. Hitting out at criticism on Chennai Metro fares, Bansal said that the fares are reasonable as 55 per cent of the Chennai Metro is underground stretch when compared with Delhi Metro which consists of 15 per cent underground stretch. “The cost and maintenance of underground stretch is 10 times more than elevated stretch,” he said.
He said the common ticketing will be introduced soon. Currently, trials are going on with ticketing machine in MTC buses. “There are also some software issues which are being resolved,” he said.
He also said that once Chennai Metro Rail starts operating from North Chennai, there will be renewed interest in developing that part of Chennai, which is ignored as it is too congested and not accessible.
He also said that the total acquisition of MRTS system will take place in two to three years. The consultant is likely to submit a report by the end of December. “The entire rolling stock for MRTS will be changed and we will make it like a metro system,” Bansal added.
Only 50 per cent of the second phase of Chennai Metro Rail will be initially funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency and tenders are likely to be awarded in the financial year, according to Pankaj Kumar Bansal, Managing Director of Chennai Metro Rail.
Speaking on ‘Can the Metro Rail Transform Chennai’ organised by Chennai International Centre at Madras School of Economics on Friday evening, Bansal said that only 50 per cent of the 107km stretch project will be taken up in the first phase after which Tamil Nadu government will either seek funding from JICA or from other sources.
Chennai Metro Rail has submitted a revised Detailed Project Report seeking Rs 80,000 crore for implementing the Second Phase of Chennai Metro which will have three corridors. These include Madhavaram-Siruseri, Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT)-Lighthouse and Madhavaram-Sholinganallur. “We are also in the process of revising the proposal to extend the Chennai Metro Rail line from the Lighthouse near Marina Beach to Poonamallee in the city outskirts at an additional cost of 3,850 crore,” said Bansal.
This comes as Tamil Nadu government is on the verge of sealing an agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) by the end of this financial year.
Bansal said the Second Phase once implemented will take seven to eight years to complete. Hitting out at criticism on Chennai Metro fares, Bansal said that the fares are reasonable as 55 per cent of the Chennai Metro is underground stretch when compared with Delhi Metro which consists of 15 per cent underground stretch. “The cost and maintenance of underground stretch is 10 times more than elevated stretch,” he said.
He said the common ticketing will be introduced soon. Currently, trials are going on with ticketing machine in MTC buses. “There are also some software issues which are being resolved,” he said.
He also said that once Chennai Metro Rail starts operating from North Chennai, there will be renewed interest in developing that part of Chennai, which is ignored as it is too congested and not accessible.
He also said that the total acquisition of MRTS system will take place in two to three years. The consultant is likely to submit a report by the end of December. “The entire rolling stock for MRTS will be changed and we will make it like a metro system,” Bansal added.
Did CMDA unduly relax age-norms for its staff? No answer for last 3 yrs
C SHIVAKUMAR @ Chennai:
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is yet to respond to a
3-years-old letter from the state government asking in how many cases
the authority relaxed the age norms when directing recruiting
planners.
It is reliably learnt that the then housing department secretary
Thanga Kaliyaperumal in January 2014 wrote a letter to the authority
how many posts it reserved for its own staff and how much age
relaxation was granted to them. But a reply to the letter is yet to
come, sources in the department told Express.
The recruitments under the state government’s scanner were for posts
like senior planners, assistant planners and deputy planners. The CMDA
had earlier came up with the idea of directly recruiting for these
posts, instead of internally promoting the staff. Since the state
government did not agree for the staff taking the tests for the direct
recruitment, the authority around 2010 informed the housing department
that it would give up the plans for direct recruitment.
But it subsequently went ahead with direct recruitments and also
granted age relaxation for CMDA’s current staff.
The issue was raised by the then housing secretary Thanga
Kaliyaperumal in a letter in January 2014 citing that it could be
illegal for the CMDA to relax the age limit. The letter pointed out
that as per Approved Service regulations 1980, the powers to relax the
age limit is vested with Authority on specific cases. Since, CMDA is
following Rule 12 (d) of Tamil Nadu Subordinate Service Rules, it can
relax age only for SC/ST as well as backward castes and most backward
castes.
However, CMDA doesn’t have powers to relax upper age limit for other
categories and in case it goes in for age relaxation then it should be
done with prior permission of government, then housing secretary
Thanga Kaliyaperumal has stated in the letter.
Interestingly, the state has asked CMDA to file a report giving names
of persons with their designation to whom age relaxation was earlier
done by mentioning their category, the circumstances under which the
age relaxation was done and the autheticated GO or letter where in the
proceeding was undertaken.
It has also asked the CMDA to substantiate the need for following Rule
12 (d) of Tamil Nadu Subordinate service which permits age relaxation
for SC/ST/BC/MBC category only wherein CMDA is vested with powers to
relax it.
However, CMDA never filed any report forcing many of CMDA employees to
file cases, sources said. It is learnt more than 30 to 40 cases are
being filed by employees against CMDA as it has tinkered with service
rules.
Similarly, CMDA is going ahead with recruitment of deputy planner
under direct recruitment without bringing to notice of the government
that there is a case pending in court over the issue. The case is
filed by by Association of Professional Town Planners K M Sadanandh in
2011 who challenged the direct recruitment of deputy planners.
Even a CMDA audit report has raised objections over the appointment of
planning assistant Grade-1 beyond the age limit prescribed in service
rules as it was not ratified by the government. This was done in
violation of Madras High Court order on 2007 which has stated that “so
long as the word ‘prior approval of the government’ is found in
Section 124 (1) of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, CMDA
making its own amendment and not getting approval from the government
does not make any appointment valid.
When queried about the issue, a top government official told Express
that he will look into the issue.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
writingonblog uncensored: Centre asks TN to expedite Rs 24.7 crore Climate C...
writingonblog uncensored: Centre asks TN to expedite Rs 24.7 crore Climate C...: CHENNAI: The Centre has ask ed T amil Nadu to expedite the implementation of Rs 24.7 crore climate change project pertaining to manage...
Centre asks TN to expedite Rs 24.7 crore Climate Change project
CHENNAI:
Meanwhile,
innovative proposals have been sought by Centre for the current
financial year as per state priorities highlighted in State Action Plan
for Climate Change
The Centre has asked Tamil Nadu to expedite
the implementation of Rs 24.7 crore climate change project pertaining
to management and rehabilitation of coastal habitats and biodiversity in
Gulf of Mannar while seeking innovative proposals for the current
financial year.
The
project ‘Management and Rehabilitation of Coastal Habitats and
Biodiversity for Climate change Adaptation and Sustainable Livelihood in
Gulf of Mannar’ was one of the 21 projects sanctioned during the last
two financial years after National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change
was launched in 2015 to address issues pertaining to climate change in
the country.
It
is learnt a review was taken up by the Ministry of Environment, Forest
and Climate Change and the ministry was not happy over its
implementation.
Sources
said that Centre has written to the state stating that the 100 per cent
Centrally funded scheme needs quick implementation to justify its
continuance.
The
proposal, whose Detailed project Report was prepared by NABARD
Consultancy Services, was to carry out a baseline study to assess
vulnerability to climate change on both coastal ecosystems (including
biodiversity and fishery) and coastal communities in the Gulf of Mannar
in Thoothkudi district.
Under
the project, a total of three islands at the Gulf of Mannar in Tamil
Nadu --- Kariyachalli Island and Vilanguchalli Island for Coral and
seagrass rehabilitation and Vaan Island (half submerged) for artificial
reefs deployment was proposed.
The
communities from five villages in proximity to the three islands who
are dependent on fisheries --- Mottaikopuram, Siluvaipatti, Vellapatti,
Tharuvaikulam and Pattinamaruthoor were being chosen to understand the
impact of the activity in terms of adaptation to climate change, both in
terms of livelihood generation and income
enhancement among the community. The four year duration project was to end on 2019-20.
writingonblog uncensored: TN allocates 49 acres of land for Foxconn
writingonblog uncensored: TN allocates 49 acres of land for Foxconn: CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has cleared 49 acres of land in Sriperumbudur for Taiwanese phone maker Foxconn to renew its manufacturi...
TN allocates 49 acres of land for Foxconn
CHENNAI:
The Tamil Nadu government has cleared 49 acres of land in Sriperumbudur for Taiwanese phone maker Foxconn to renew its manufacturing operations in the state, according to Industries Minister M C Sampath.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) flagship event ‘Connect 2017’, the minister said that the land was given to the Taiwanese company on the promise that it would be able to generate 5,000 jobs by January 2018 and 30,000 jobs in the next three years.
Foxconn had already employed 7,000 people in the State and had informed that it will add another 5,000 new jobs by January, he said.
The plant in Sriperumbudur was shut down in February 2015. The Taiwan-based electronics equipment maker was a major supplier of motherboards to Nokia and had to close down its facilities for lack of orders from Nokia, which shut operations on 1 November, 2014 after a Rs.10 000 crore tax dispute with the Income Tax department
The minister also said he is urging the Centre to set up Aero Defence Park in Coimbatore as it has the required infrastructure.
State Information Technology Minister M Manikandan said that the state will be unveiling its Information Technology policy this month. The focus will be on Internet of Things (IOT) and other technologies. However, he refused to diculge anything further.
Earlier, Sanjay Tyagi, director, Software Technology Park of India, said that the state is the biggest beneficiary of the India BPO Promotion Scheme.
He said that 4,300 seats have been filled up so far including 600 seats by Amazon in Coimbatore in one of the latest bids.
Initially, the allocation was for 3,000 seats but since the demand was higher, the Centre has allocated another 3,000 seats under the scheme for Tamil Nadu, he added.
Highlighting the need for developing domain specific tech parks in the state, P Ravichandran, Chairman – CII Tamil Nadu State Council, said that CII is proposing an automotive tech center that encompass basic hardware requirements and space for research on driverless technology as the city has large eco-system of automotive companies and given that automotive sector is going through disruption.
He urged companies in hardware manufacturing and electronics to capitalize on the IT resources available in the state, including the recent aerospace park in Oragadam. This could be a big game changer in differentiating Tamil Nadu from the rest of the states, he added.
Ravichandran said CII State Council is close to locating a place for Green Field airport in Chennai, which is a much awaited Green Field project.
The Tamil Nadu government has cleared 49 acres of land in Sriperumbudur for Taiwanese phone maker Foxconn to renew its manufacturing operations in the state, according to Industries Minister M C Sampath.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) flagship event ‘Connect 2017’, the minister said that the land was given to the Taiwanese company on the promise that it would be able to generate 5,000 jobs by January 2018 and 30,000 jobs in the next three years.
Foxconn had already employed 7,000 people in the State and had informed that it will add another 5,000 new jobs by January, he said.
The plant in Sriperumbudur was shut down in February 2015. The Taiwan-based electronics equipment maker was a major supplier of motherboards to Nokia and had to close down its facilities for lack of orders from Nokia, which shut operations on 1 November, 2014 after a Rs.10 000 crore tax dispute with the Income Tax department
The minister also said he is urging the Centre to set up Aero Defence Park in Coimbatore as it has the required infrastructure.
State Information Technology Minister M Manikandan said that the state will be unveiling its Information Technology policy this month. The focus will be on Internet of Things (IOT) and other technologies. However, he refused to diculge anything further.
Earlier, Sanjay Tyagi, director, Software Technology Park of India, said that the state is the biggest beneficiary of the India BPO Promotion Scheme.
He said that 4,300 seats have been filled up so far including 600 seats by Amazon in Coimbatore in one of the latest bids.
Initially, the allocation was for 3,000 seats but since the demand was higher, the Centre has allocated another 3,000 seats under the scheme for Tamil Nadu, he added.
Highlighting the need for developing domain specific tech parks in the state, P Ravichandran, Chairman – CII Tamil Nadu State Council, said that CII is proposing an automotive tech center that encompass basic hardware requirements and space for research on driverless technology as the city has large eco-system of automotive companies and given that automotive sector is going through disruption.
He urged companies in hardware manufacturing and electronics to capitalize on the IT resources available in the state, including the recent aerospace park in Oragadam. This could be a big game changer in differentiating Tamil Nadu from the rest of the states, he added.
Ravichandran said CII State Council is close to locating a place for Green Field airport in Chennai, which is a much awaited Green Field project.
writingonblog uncensored: TNHB pushes for amendments in new Land Acquisition...
writingonblog uncensored: TNHB pushes for amendments in new Land Acquisition...: CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Housing Board, which is facing land crunch, is seeking amendments to the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency...
TNHB pushes for amendments in new Land Acquisition Act
CHENNAI:
Tamil
Nadu Housing Board, which is facing land crunch, is seeking amendments
to the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition
Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Compensation, Rehabilitation and
Resettlement) Act 2017 after the rules have been notified by the state
government.
It
is learnt that the state housing board has sought five amendments to
the provisions of the new land acquisition Act as it feels the new Act
will put it into hardship in acquiring lands to cater to the needs of
the public and government servants.
The
state housing board is citing the examples of Telangana and Gujarat
governments where in the amendments to the new land acquisition Act is
made and has urged the state government to consider its case.
The
housing board is particularly wary about Section 24 (2) of the new Act.
Under this section if the land acquisition under old act has been made
five years or more prior to the commencement of the New Act passed in
2013 but physical possession has not been taken nor the compensation
paid then it paves way for filing of cases before the Madras High Court.
This
could spell trouble for the housing board as it will have 794 cases
challenging the land acquisition in Madras High Court, sources said.
This would mean fresh compensation under the New Land Acquisition Act
which would make the project unfeasible.
It
is learnt that the housing board wants additional provision under
Section 24 of the Act. This pertains to where the possession of land has
been taken by the housing board but the compensation is lying deposited
in court or any other account maintained for the purpose shall be
excluded.
Similarly,
Under Section 23 A, which pertains to enquiry and land acquisition by
district collector, the housing board wants amendment giving powers to
the district collector to clear the land acquisition without making
enquiry to objection.
As
per the Act, Collector has to enquire into the objections (if any)
which any person interested has stated pursuant to a notice given under
land acquisition and to the measurements as well as valuation of the
land.
Similarly,
the Section 33 A, which pertains to corrections to awards made under
land acquisition, the housing board wants the amendment where in if
money is paid wrong fully to any person than the state government or
collector shall recover it as arrears of land revenue.
As
per the provisions of the act, If excess amount is proved to have been
paid to any person as a result of the correction made, the excess
amount so paid shall be liable to be refunded and in the case of any
default or refusal to pay, the same may be recovered, as prescribed by
the appropriate Government.
Similarly,
it wants insertions in section 31 A of the act where in the land is
acquired for projects, lumpsum amount equal to 50pc of the amount of
compensation based on market value is determined
Similarly,
it has suggested changes in section 87 of the act which prescribed
offences by government department. As per the Act, Where an offence
under this Act has been committed by any department of the Government,
the head of the department, shall be deemed to be guilty of offence and
shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
However,
the state housing board has suggested that if any offence has been
committed, the court shall take cognizance of such offence provided
under the procedure laid down in Section 197 of Code of Criminal
Procedure, 1973.
writingonblog uncensored: Six smart cities of TN vie for $500m World Bank gr...
writingonblog uncensored: Six smart cities of TN vie for $500m World Bank gr...: CHENNAI: The six smart cities of Tamil Nadu, selected during the first two rounds, are among the 60 smart cities which are in the race t...
Six smart cities of TN vie for $500m World Bank grant
CHENNAI:
As
per figures available with Express (Till June 2017), a total of Rs
35,000 crore worth projects have been taken up by the cities selected
under the two rounds of Smart Cities Mission.
The
six smart cities of Tamil Nadu, selected during the first two rounds,
are among the 60 smart cities which are in the race to avail $500
million worth performance based incentives offered by World Bank.
Chennai,
Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Thanjavur and Vellore are among the six
cities which will be vying for the performance based incentives that is
being offered by World Bank. The grants are open to only first 60
special purpose vehicles selected under the Smart Cities Mission
It
is learnt that World Bank has partnered with Union Urban Ministry to
design the performance based programme with an outlay of $500 million of
which $480m will be available as performance based incentive grants.
The
rest will be available for specific demand-driven capacity building and
project management support at state and special purpose vehicle level.
Sources
indicated that a screening framework has been prepared which lists out
mandatory conditions, screening of states and union territories and the
criteria of shortlisting special purpose vehicles. The six smart cities
will have to submit proposals from November 30 and the last date of
submitting the applications is December 11, 2017.
It
is learnt that three or four states or Union territories will be
selected and upto 12 special purpose vehicles (SPV) will be shortlisted
for participation in the Indian Smart Cities Programme.
Five-day income tax raids against TTV, Sasikala aides reveal Rs 1,430 cr worth unaccounted wealth
Involvement of 1,800 officials denied by top IT official; Terms the media filing such report as 'Samosa paper'
CHENNAI:
The five-day long raids by Income tax department against the close aides of jailed AIADMK leader Sasikala and ousted leader TTV Dinakaran has brought to light the concealment of Rs 1,430 crore worth of evasion of taxes.
“This is only paltry going by the amount of incriminating documents that we have seized during the raids. This is nothing when taken into account the incriminating documents we have,” a senior Income Tax official told Express after the culmination of raids on Monday evening.
The official also did not rule out the possibility of Enforcement Directorate launching the probe under Prevention of Money Laundering Act as the raids also involved shell companies. “It would be done as per the law,” he said.
The official also disclosed that the people whose premises are raided are not opening up on queries pertaining to shell companies.
“We have our own ways to find out,” he said. The major focus of the raids have been Krishna Priya, the niece of Sasikala, who is believed to a major operator of shell companies. “Vivek Jayaraman, who is the nephew of Sasikala, was not involved with shell companies earlier. Now he is part of it,” the official said.
The officials said that the large number of bank accounts were frozen by the investigating officers. Refusing to give out a number, he said that most of the shell companies have multiple bank accounts and they may have been frozen. He also refused to divulge the number of shell companies that were brought to light. While reports claim it could be around 100, he refused to divulge any information.
He also ruled out the possibility of summoning TTV Dhinakaran for enquiry. To a query on the raids in his farm house, the official said that it belonged to his wife Anuradha. “It is up to the investigating officer. He may or may not have issued summons seeking her appearance,” he said.
The official also said that Divakaran, the brother of Sasikala, has been summoned for investigation. This comes as almost all premises belonging to associates of Divakaran were raided in Mannargudi.
Interestingly, on Monday three close aides of Sasikala and Divakaran along with Vivek were summoned by the Investigating officers of Income Tax. They include AIADMK Karnataka State secretary, Pugazhendi, a trusted aide of Sasikala, S Poongundram and Dr Sivakumar.
Pugazhendi arrived at the Income Tax office at 11.30am and was grilled for nearly two hours. Before leaving the premises, he told reporters thatnothing has been detected during the raids and he is cooperating with the officials. “I have been asked to appear again day after tomorrow,” he said.
The official also rejected the claims of news reports that 1,800 personnel were deputed to conduct raids at 187 places, the official said that only 600 to 650 personnel were deployed. “We usually send two officials along with two witnesses. It is true that raids took place in 187 places but only 600 to 650 personnel were involved in the raids and not 1,800 as claimed by a reputed daily,” he said.
The source also said that after the raids his office is sending in internal reports to the headquarters. He also laughed over the news reports that raids are being conducted at Kodanadu Estate. “We never conducted any raids in Kodanadu Estate and media is reporting that raids are still continuing there,” he said.
Factfile:
1. The five day raids conducted by Income tax department against the close aides of jailed AIADMK leader Sasikala and ousted leader TTV Dinakaran ends.
2. The raids have till now brought to light concealment worth Rs 1,430 crore worth of evasion of taxes.
3. AIADMK Karnataka State secretary, Pugazhendi, a trusted aide of Sasikala, S Poongundram and Dr Sivakumar and Vivek appeared before Income Tax department.
4. Sasikala’s brother Divakaran has been summoned by Income Tax department.
5. Bank accounts have been frozen and shell companies identified
Not fact:
1. The claims that 1,800 personnel were deputed to conduct raids at 187 places. Only 600 to 650 personnel were deputed
2. No raids were conducted at Kodanadu Estate of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa
3. No tunnel at Dinakaran farm house.
CHENNAI:
The five-day long raids by Income tax department against the close aides of jailed AIADMK leader Sasikala and ousted leader TTV Dinakaran has brought to light the concealment of Rs 1,430 crore worth of evasion of taxes.
“This is only paltry going by the amount of incriminating documents that we have seized during the raids. This is nothing when taken into account the incriminating documents we have,” a senior Income Tax official told Express after the culmination of raids on Monday evening.
The official also did not rule out the possibility of Enforcement Directorate launching the probe under Prevention of Money Laundering Act as the raids also involved shell companies. “It would be done as per the law,” he said.
The official also disclosed that the people whose premises are raided are not opening up on queries pertaining to shell companies.
“We have our own ways to find out,” he said. The major focus of the raids have been Krishna Priya, the niece of Sasikala, who is believed to a major operator of shell companies. “Vivek Jayaraman, who is the nephew of Sasikala, was not involved with shell companies earlier. Now he is part of it,” the official said.
The officials said that the large number of bank accounts were frozen by the investigating officers. Refusing to give out a number, he said that most of the shell companies have multiple bank accounts and they may have been frozen. He also refused to divulge the number of shell companies that were brought to light. While reports claim it could be around 100, he refused to divulge any information.
He also ruled out the possibility of summoning TTV Dhinakaran for enquiry. To a query on the raids in his farm house, the official said that it belonged to his wife Anuradha. “It is up to the investigating officer. He may or may not have issued summons seeking her appearance,” he said.
The official also said that Divakaran, the brother of Sasikala, has been summoned for investigation. This comes as almost all premises belonging to associates of Divakaran were raided in Mannargudi.
Interestingly, on Monday three close aides of Sasikala and Divakaran along with Vivek were summoned by the Investigating officers of Income Tax. They include AIADMK Karnataka State secretary, Pugazhendi, a trusted aide of Sasikala, S Poongundram and Dr Sivakumar.
Pugazhendi arrived at the Income Tax office at 11.30am and was grilled for nearly two hours. Before leaving the premises, he told reporters thatnothing has been detected during the raids and he is cooperating with the officials. “I have been asked to appear again day after tomorrow,” he said.
The official also rejected the claims of news reports that 1,800 personnel were deputed to conduct raids at 187 places, the official said that only 600 to 650 personnel were deployed. “We usually send two officials along with two witnesses. It is true that raids took place in 187 places but only 600 to 650 personnel were involved in the raids and not 1,800 as claimed by a reputed daily,” he said.
The source also said that after the raids his office is sending in internal reports to the headquarters. He also laughed over the news reports that raids are being conducted at Kodanadu Estate. “We never conducted any raids in Kodanadu Estate and media is reporting that raids are still continuing there,” he said.
Factfile:
1. The five day raids conducted by Income tax department against the close aides of jailed AIADMK leader Sasikala and ousted leader TTV Dinakaran ends.
2. The raids have till now brought to light concealment worth Rs 1,430 crore worth of evasion of taxes.
3. AIADMK Karnataka State secretary, Pugazhendi, a trusted aide of Sasikala, S Poongundram and Dr Sivakumar and Vivek appeared before Income Tax department.
4. Sasikala’s brother Divakaran has been summoned by Income Tax department.
5. Bank accounts have been frozen and shell companies identified
Not fact:
1. The claims that 1,800 personnel were deputed to conduct raids at 187 places. Only 600 to 650 personnel were deputed
2. No raids were conducted at Kodanadu Estate of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa
3. No tunnel at Dinakaran farm house.
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