TN unveils start-up policy; Rs 100 crore fund model designed to participate in VC funds

CHENNAI:

The Tamil Nadu Government will create a Rs 100 crore Fund of Funds, called the Tamil Nadu Co-Creation Fund, for investing in regional and thematic funds, according to ‘Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Policy 2023’ , which was unveiled by Chief Minister M K Stalin. The Fund, to be managed by respective investors and coordinated by StartupTN, is inspired by the Yozma (meaning ‘initiative’) model, established by the Israeli Government in the 1990s to kick-start innovative industries by investing n new venture capital funds.

According to the Policy, released at the Secretariat here on Wednesday,  the state will contribute 40% (with a ceiling of Rs 10 crore) in Regional, Rural Impact, Women and Climate Action-focused funds and 20% (with a ceiling of Rs 5 crore) in other thematic funds promoted by the private sector. The fund size should be Rs 20 crore and above in case of a new fund. The Government will bear 75% and 50% of the fund setup costs, respectively,  for the above mentioned categories. The operations will be managed by the fund promoters.

The Chief Minister also handed over sanction orders for investments to the tune of Rs. 10.85 Crore in eight Tamil Nadu-based Startups that are run by entrepreneurs from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. The investment from the Government brings more credibility to the Startups, helping them acquire new clients and expand to more markets, a release stated.

Designed to nurture Startups, the policy, which has over 50 action points, will help the State become a leading Startup Ecosystem. It will accelerate start-ups growth, make them globally competitive and increase their share in the state GDP and social capital. It defines and strengthens the seven determinants of the Startup Ecosystem - Startup Literacy; Innovation Landscape; Startup Support Centres; Access to Market; Investment Ecosystem; Stakeholder Engagement and Equitable Growth.

Ther start-up has also been redefined under the policy. Ventures by persons from socially marginalised communities that apply proven innovative techniques in other sectors for the betterment of the socio-economic conditions of their communities will also beconsidered as Startups. This is in addition to the existing criteria of a Startup, according to the policy.

The state is also creating TANFUND, a Startup-Investor aggregator platform to connect national and international investment agencies with Tamil Nadu Startups, with structured back office facilitation. Besides the policy also highlights establishing ‘Global Coordination Centres’ in potential countries across the globe to connect resources including funding, mentorship and market access with Tamil Nadu Startups.

The eight start-ups include 70 MM DigiversePvt. Ltd (Rs 1 crore), a data asset management company for the entertainment industry, providing backup services at the production stage and archival services as well;  Lemurian Ventures Pvt. Ltd. (Rs. 80 Lakh, which specialises in packaging and selling dry fish sourced out of Ramanathapuram; Enthu Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (Rs. 3.5 Crore) a start-up into research and development, and manufacture of IOT devices using the LORAWAN protocol; Auckam Technologies Pvt. Ltd, (Rs 2 crore) which designs and manufactures electronic products like water flow meters, home automation devices, IOT-based devices and industrial automation solutions.

The others include Vervai Food Products Pvt. Ltd. (Rs 25 Lakh), which is into up-cycling of second-grade and cosmetically-damaged vegetables into edible value-added products with an aim to improve farmers' income, while retaining the nutritive value of the products; KSU HarnexonPvt. Ltd.(Sector: Industrial Services) (Rs. 1.2 Crore), an industrial wire harnessing company, primarily for the manufacturing and textile industries; VayurathaPvt. Ltd. (Rs. 1.6 Crore), a 3-D printed and assembled drone manufacturer with a focus on the agricultural sector, specifically manufacturing drones for small-scale farmers; and  IcamTechnosysPvt. Ltd. (ST) (Rs. 50 Lakh), which creates a B2B e-commerce platform (Tribal Mart) for tribal-made products. This platform can potentially help the tribal communities earn more from their products.

writingonblog uncensored: TN unveils start-up policy; Rs 100 crore fund mode...

writingonblog uncensored: TN unveils start-up policy; Rs 100 crore fund mode...: CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu will create a Rs 100 Crore ‘Co-creation Fund’, a unique fund-of-funds model designed to participate in private sector ve...

writingonblog uncensored: Kilambakkam bus terminus inaccessible for people w...

writingonblog uncensored: Kilambakkam bus terminus inaccessible for people w...: CHENNAI: Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA). the city’s foremost government body for planning and layout approval, as well as...

Kilambakkam bus terminus inaccessible for people with disabilities, says report

CHENNAI:

Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA). the city’s foremost government body for planning and layout approval, as well as leading architectural firm C.R. Narayana Rao, have together created an almost ‘complete’ public transport terminal in Kilambakkam that violates the most basic accessibility requirements, according to Disability Rights Alliance.

 

Releasing Kilambakkam Bus Terminus Access Visit Observations report after the access audit of the bus terminus was conducted on September 15, DRA in a release states that ramps in Kilambakkam bus terminus not only fail compliance with Harmonised Guidelines 2021 - the Rights Of Persons With Disabilities Act, 2016 statuted standard, they also do not match the CMDA approved drawings either.

 

Vaishnavi Jayakumar, member, Disability Rights Alliance (DRA), told The New Indian Express that, "It is unfortunate that seven years after a similar access report with photo guidance for Chennai Metro Rail, DRA is highlighting same accessibility code violations for CMDA’s mega bus terminus project at Kilambakkam."

 

"While CMDA has set a good precedent in transparency by sharing some design drawings before the visit coordinated by Tamil Nadu’s disability department, it has remained silent since on quests for signage and wayfinding design report, specifications for lift, escalators, drinking water facility, linked chairs, bunk beds and battery operated car and drawings for prayer room, dormitories, bus fingers, bus bays,  and ticket booths," according to the statement from DRA.

This delay will only further postpone the inauguration of Kilambakkam bus terminus which cannot legally or morally take place till the possible retrofits are made and a fresh access audit approves the same for usage by all. In 2017, the cost of retrofitting seven brand new Chennai Metro Rail stations for basic accessibility compliance was Rs 90.3 lakh as per the status report filed at Madras High Court.

 

The status of DRA’s request for a similar exercise at Kuthambakkam Bus terminus, which is likely to be opened on December 2023. is unknown, the release stated. When TNIE asked CMDA member secretary Anshul Mishra on whether any preliminary audit was being done prior to the construction of the bus terminus, he said the bus terminus is under construction unaware of such audit required to be done.

One of the major concerns in the audit observation report is the bus depot design. The different types of buses (floor height, length, fuel type, deck, rear axle configuration and comfort) have not been factored in, leave alone diverse populations’ specific needs.

Similarly, bus terminals should have low floor buses for intra-city bus use and wheelchair lifts for intercity high floor bus use. This oversight is deplorable given the Madras High Court judgement which states bus stops should be scientifically designed to suit the requirements of the differently-abled.

The ramps not only fail compliance they do not match the CMDA approved drawings either. As per the approved drawing, the external straight ramps at the entry to the terminal building depict in-between landings. However these are not present in the executed ramps, the report states.

"We have provided as per the original drawings approved. After the audit, we will provide all the additional facilities as requested given that those are within the norms and guidelines." he said when highlighted about the concerns being raised by DRA.

 

Mamallapuram Seashore Temple becomes first green energy archaeological site in India

CHENNAI:

The iconic Mamallapuram Seashore Temple became the first green energy archeological site in India with the completion of Green Heritage Project. The temple will now be lighted up using renewable energy. Three 10-kw solar plants will  power the entire heritage site and feed the surplus energy back into the grid for future consumption.

The temple will also provide drinking water to tourists through solar operated reverse osmosis (RO) plant. The plant has three water kiosks with two inside the temple area thereby providing necessary water to the tourists and visitors.

The temple will also have electric buggies, operated for pregnant women/senior citizens/differently abled. They will be run by trained women from the local community. A parking shed with three charging units is also provided for easy maintenance.

The project, implemented by Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre India (Renault Nissan Tech) in partnership with Hand in Hand India (HiH), was handed over to to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). A.R. Rahul Nadh, Chengalpattu District Collector, M Kalimuthu, Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Chennai, Hirotake Harada, Senior Vice President, Engineering, Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre India and Dr. Kalpana Sankar, Managing Trustee, Hand in Hand India were present on the occasion.

The project marks a significant milestone in the enhancement of basic amenities and the implementation of green energy initiatives, setting a precedent as the first such initiative among India's 32 UNESCO-declared cultural archaeological sites.

writingonblog uncensored: Mamallapuram Seashore Temple becomes first green e...

writingonblog uncensored: Mamallapuram Seashore Temple becomes first green e...: CHENNAI: The iconic Mamallapuram Seashore Temple became the first green energy archeological site in India with the completion of Green Heri...

writingonblog uncensored: Rosenergoatom is ready to begin production of one ...

writingonblog uncensored: Rosenergoatom is ready to begin production of one ...:  Moscow: The Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant, a branch of Rosenergoatom, has received official permission from Rostechnadzor to produce a new ...

Rosenergoatom is ready to begin production of one of the most popular isotopes in the world - lutetium-177, says Rosatom

 Moscow:

The Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant, a branch of Rosenergoatom, has received official permission from Rostechnadzor to produce a new isotope - lutetium-177, which demonstrates high efficiency in the diagnosis and targeted therapy of a number of oncological diseases. Its production became possible at once at two power units of the nuclear power plant.

Lutetium-177 radiopharmaceuticals are used to effectively treat a variety of diseases, such as tumors that can appear in the stomach, rectum, pancreas, small and large intestine, adrenal glands and thyroid gland. They are also increasingly used in the treatment of tumors of the meninges - meningiomas and prostate cancer. Treatment with lutetium-177 also works well for cases where the disease is in an advanced stage, there are metastases, in particular, with cancer that is resistant to hormonal drugs and chemotherapy, and also if the tumor cannot be removed surgically.

Despite external restrictions, the domestic economy is increasing its export potential, supplying goods, services and raw materials around the world. Rosenergoatom (Electric Energy Division of the State Corporation Rosatom) is expanding its line of production of radioactive isotopes at nuclear power plants.

At the moment, Rosenergoatom has the ability to rhythmically produce at the power reactors of the Leningrad NPP: molybdenum-99 (activation), iodine-125, iodine-131, samarium-153, used in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.

At the request of Russian and foreign manufacturers of radiopharmaceuticals, Rosenergoatom is expanding the range of isotopes produced in power reactors.

At power units No. 3 and 4 of the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant, the necessary technical and organizational measures were taken to commission four additional irradiation channels. With the receipt of licenses, new production facilities will allow Rosenergoatom to produce the lutetium-177 isotope, unique in its properties, which is necessary to save the lives of cancer patients.

“In January 2023, we submitted to Rostechnadzor all the necessary supporting documentation on the production of lutetium-177 to amend the licenses for the operation of a nuclear installation and the handling of radioactive substances during production, transportation and storage at power units No. 3 and 4 of the Leningrad NPP. High-quality prepared materials, as well as many years of practical experience in the safe production of isotopes at the Leningrad NPP, made it possible to obtain a decision from RTN on including the production of lutetium-177 into the terms of the current licenses within the regulatory time frame,” noted Arkady Sokolovsky, Deputy Chief Engineer of the Leningrad NPP.

At present Rosenergoatom is one of the key producers of medical radioisotopes for the Russian market. In addition, the generating company produces about 30% of the world's sterilization cobalt-60 consumption from nuclear power reactors.

Production of the first pilot batches of lutetium-177 is planned until the end of 2023. As part of the current Rosatom project, following the Leningrad NPP, the experience of producing isotopes for medical purposes is planned to be applied at the Kursk and Smolensk nuclear power plants.

The development of radiation technologies today is one of Rosatom’s strategic goals. The market for the development of such technologies in the future is assessed by business experts as comparable to the nuclear energy market: this includes modern diagnostics in medicine, transport security systems, new means of water and air purification, microelectronics, light industry, metallurgy, and many other areas.

writingonblog uncensored: Two senior planners of CMDA booked by Central Crim...

writingonblog uncensored: Two senior planners of CMDA booked by Central Crim...:   C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: Two senior planners of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority haver been booked in a alleged forgery case and ...

Two senior planners of CMDA booked by Central Crime Branch for fraud

 

C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:
Two senior planners of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority haver been booked in a alleged forgery case and fraudulent transaction of property worth Rs 2 crore by Central Crime Branch following the direction of Metropolitan Magistrate Central Crime Branch and CB-CID Special Court Egmore.

The duo --- Ravikumar and Anusuya have been booked for cheating a techie working in a US based firm through alleged fraudulent transaction of his prime property in Kilpauk after threatening him and filing a fabricated criminal case against him. The charges were later dropped by the duo during the hearing at the court. They also did not return the money worth Rs 60 lakh borrowed from the techie which was spent on their daughter's medical expenses in the United States apart from borrowings worth Rs 40 lakh on earlier instances.

Interestingly, the property of Vasudevan was acquired by Ravikumar through unaccountable assets, which comes under the offences punishable under Tamil Nadu Government Servants conduct rules. Since Ravikumar purchased the property from unknown source of income, the property purchased from unknown source of income is considered disproportionate asset and comes within the purview of Prevention of Corruption Act.

The FIR was filed against the duo on the direction of Metropolitan Magistrate, who had stated that the offences committed by the accused are cognizable in nature with the available prima facie evidences. Interestingly, this is the second such case against CMDA employese. Already a superintending engineer is under the purview of Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) under the Prevention of Corruption Act for causing loss to the State government in a allotment case in Koyambedu.

When CMDA member secretary Anshul Mishra was contacted on whether CMDA is taking any action against the three persons, he said that,  "CMDA will wait for the details to be communicated formally to us."

According to FIR copy accessed by The New Indian Express, senior planners Ravi Kumar and Anusuya were booked on a complaint by R Sridhar Raju, who holds the power of attorney of Ramesh Vasudevan, a process architecture engineer in System Analysis Programme Development, a firm located in the United States.

Vasudevan was on a business trip to Saudi Arabia in September 2019 when Anusuya and Ravi Kumar, who were his close friends, reached out to him for financial help as their daughter, a post graduate vocational programme student in University of Berkley in US had health issues and was admitted in El Camino Psychiatric Hospital in San Francisco.Vasudevan incurred medical expense of Rs 60 lakh for the treatment for which the parents promised to pay back in six months. Ravikumar and Anusuya also borrowed Rs 40 lakh on various dates by way of cash and way of transfer to their account since September 2021 onwards.

According to the FIR, rather than paying the amount, the duo filed a fabricated police case allegedly for offences punishable under various sections under Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act at K6-TP Chattram Police station. Vasudevan was arrested on November 28, 2021 and remanded in prison for 25 days. While Vasudevan was in judicial custody, Ravikumar and Anusuya threatened the family members and forcibly took away identification cards and other documents from his home.

'Using the documents, the duo allegedly prepared property transfer documents of his flat situated in Kilpauk Garden Colony, When Vasudevan came out on bail, he was made to sign on blank papers. The duo then forced him to give write-off for all the loan amounts owed by them and execute the sale deed of the property in their favour at a cost of Rs 1.04 crore after threatening to file more crimnal cases. The amount was not paid to Vasudevan, the FIR stated.

After getting the sale deed in their favour, the duo appeared before Vth Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Egmore as witness in the criminal case and said they have not filed any complaint and disowned the contents of the complaint filed against Vasudevan by the police. In July, 2022, Vasudevan was acquitted in the case as the charges were found not to be proved.

The judge observed that Ravikumar and Anusuya have abused the court of law for the sole purpose of grabbing the property of Vasudevan unlawfully.Ravi had purchased the property fraudulently for 1.04 crore plus stamp duty and registration charges which went to more than Rs 5 lakh. The court said that Vasudevan tried to file a case on February 8, 2023 against the duo to prosecute them under the law but the complaint was not taken then by Chennai Police Commissioner. Following which he approached the court. The court has directed the police to fle an FIR and submit a report before the court at the earliest.

writingonblog uncensored: TN goes for a vertical factory in Hosur; Four-stor...

writingonblog uncensored: TN goes for a vertical factory in Hosur; Four-stor...: CHENNAI: Scarcity of land in the state is likely to see vertical growth of factories taking place. The government in order to support and me...

TN goes for a vertical factory in Hosur; Four-storey complex to house 69 MSME units

CHENNAI:
Scarcity of land in the state is likely to see vertical growth of factories taking place. The government in order to support and meet the prime needs of new MSME units and start-ups in Hosur has approved the the project proposal of Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation Limited (Tansidco) for construction of multi-storied flatted factory complex at Zuzuvadi Industrial Estate in Krishnagiri district at a cost of Rs 26.24 crore with financial assistance from SIDBI.

The state of the art plug and play flatted factory building comprises stilt plus four floors to accommodate 69 MSME units of each 406 square feet size along with common infrastructure facilities like power connection, water supply, goods life, passenger lift, heavy vehicle parking, CCTV, fire safety etc. This project will help to provide new employment to 350 persons directly and 200 persons indirectly, a government release stated.

The decision to go vertical comes as land is scarce due to rapid growth of industries in Hosur and also due to high cost of land. Seeing that horizontal growth of industry is not possible, the government felt that vertical growth is the only option left, the release stated.

A large number of MSMEs are functioning in and around Hosur that are involved in manufacturing of variety of products for Automobile, Defence, Medical, Electrical and Electronic industries. Earlier TNIE has highlighted that the state is looking at high rise buildings for industrial purposes. The Rule 39 of Tamil Nadu Combined Building Rules 2019 is silent on it resulting in the Industries department seeking clarification from the Housing department.

It is learnt that Rule 39 of TNCBR 2019 prescribes the planning parameters for high rise buildings which exceed 18.3 metre height. But the confusion is that the guidelines for high rise buildings are not specified based on usage such as housing, institutional buildings and industries. The move by the Industries department seeking clarification is that the new age factories are being designed differently unlike in the past where in the Industrial buildings were flat buildings. The rules framed then did not take these into account.

It is learnt that the Industries department has sought clarification on Rule 39 that high rise buildings can be used for industrial purposes and that the conditions prescribed for high rise buildings would be applicable to industries as well. Industrial buildings are a typical factory or other larger facility that serves one or more business purposes such as manufacturing, remodeling, power generation, repair, and cleaning.

Sources said that the housing department is planning to issue clarification on Rule 39 that high rises could be used for industrial purposes and conditions prescribed for high rise buildings will be applicable to industrial buildings as well.

TN to become R&D hub to help find solutions in making production of Hydrogen cheaper

CHENNAI:
Production of Green Hydrogen is still a costly affair and globally it is yet to be produced at a large scale despite investors making promising investments in the state. However, there is hope for the fuel of future, as IIT Madras in Chennai along with various other partners under Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster in Tamil Nadu' (HVIC-TN) initiative is working towards bringing green hydrogen at an economical price and scale.

Under the initiative, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras along with IIT Madras Research Park will work with Industries on research and development and developing testing or validation standards in ‘Green Hydrogen.

This initiative is expected to contribute significantly towards the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
In keeping with the Department of Science and Technology's (DST) vision to transform India into an energy-independent nation by 2047, it is providing funding for Research, Development and Demonstration activities essential for small-scale demonstration by enhancing the readiness of technologies in the green hydrogen value chain.

“The establishment of HVIC is in line with Tamil Nadu’s goal of manufacturing electrolyzers, exporting green hydrogen or its derivatives and developing hydrogen economy in the State. There is a huge capability in the State for electrolysers but they need a testing facility, which HVIC must provide. Tamil Nadu power is already 50% green and HVIC will improve this further with green hydrogen," said Industries Minister TRB Rajaa during a HVIC-Tamil Nadu stakeholders meeting was held at IIT Madras recently.

The minister also emphasized the importance of creating skilled human resources and talents to meet with the requirements of green hydrogen industries. He highlighted the opportunities available for entrepreneurial activities through various state government’s start-up initiatives.

The HVIC-TN initiative, which comprises nearly 30 companies working in the hydrogen sector, is to make the state the hub of industrial research and development. The HVIC-TN will cater to the needs of green hydrogen ambitions of the State and the country by providing technological solutions, support on research and development, skill development, infrastructure building, techno-economic feasibility, and policy/regulatory recommendations.


Prof  V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “HVIC-TN will act as a platform for stakeholders in the hydrogen sector to network and enable faster green hydrogen adoption and transition. The cluster will also serve as a nodal agency, think tank, and knowledge partner in the State to attract or support any initiatives in the hydrogen sector."

Prof. Raghuram Chetty, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “The main purpose of this meeting was to bring all the stakeholders to a common platform and to discuss ways and means to accomplish the green hydrogen value chain in Tamil Nadu and the plans to demonstrate the readiness of the associated technologies.”

writingonblog uncensored: Kilambakkam bus terminus design not too friendly f...

writingonblog uncensored: Kilambakkam bus terminus design not too friendly f...: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: The Rs 393.74 crore Kilambakkam bus terminus catering to south-bound buses may have quality ambience but the design ...

Kilambakkam bus terminus design not too friendly for people with disabilities

C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:

The Rs 393.74 crore Kilambakkam bus terminus catering to south-bound buses may have quality ambience but the design is flawed when it comes to accessibility for persons with disabilities as per the Harmonised Guidelines standard required by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, according to an access audit carried out on the bus terminus on Friday.

The joint inspection was conducted by the Access Audit Team with the officials of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, which built the bus terminus and the assistant director of the Directorate for Welfare of the Differently Abled along with the representatives from the Organisations for Persons with Disabilities and Empanelled agency.

The audit team, comprising users with different disabilities, found multiple errors in the bus terminus design - including continuity and reach of the tactile path for visually impaired passengers, long, unsheltered ramps without landings and toilets which do not allow bilateral transfer for wheelchair users.

"A ramp should have an incline not steeper than 1:12 gradient. Secondly when the ramp is longer than nine metres, it should have a landing point as it would be easier for the wheelchair to move. But the audit found that at some places, the ramp is 25 metres long but it has only one landing point. This would make the movement of wheel chairs difficult, said Gnana Bharathi, president of Spinal Injured Persons Association (SIIA), who was part of team that carried out the audit.

Similarly, it was found that the tactile path is designed in such a way that it grants limited access to blind persons. It just grants them access to the terminus and stops short at the entrance to the bus fingers. They don't get access to features like shopping or access to the food joints.

"On the first floor, where there are other amenities like dormitories, there is no tactile guidance," said Sudha Ramamoorthy, member, Disability Rights Alliance. She also bemoans the usage of the deadly polished granite floor which proved too slippery for crutch users on the team who had to sit down exhausted very soon.
The ticketing counter design could be made dual height so that it is accessible to all, including persons of short stature as has been recommended for the Chennai Metro retrofits. This does away with the Railway phenomenon of a separate counter for disabled passengers that is always locked.

Disability rights activist Vaishnavi Jayakumar was upset that no arrangements had been made for level boarding of passengers with locomotor disabilities at the bus bays, contrary to the Madras High Court judgement in June 2023 which held "bus stops should be scientifically designed to suit the requirements of the differently-abled and henceforth, any development or reconstruction or repairing or improvement in any of the bus stops should include and focus in making it differently-abled friendly, with due  cility for the wheel chair to go into the low floor bus, directly from the platform;"

CMDA member secretary Anshul Mishra said that nine recommendations were put forth after the Access Audit team. "These are welcome suggestions. Most of these are doable and we will ensure that Kilambakkam bus terminus is one of the most disabled friendly bus terminus across India," he told The New Indian Express.

writingonblog uncensored: CMDA dismantles 29 shops of Koyambedu vegetable ma...

writingonblog uncensored: CMDA dismantles 29 shops of Koyambedu vegetable ma...: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has started dismantling 29 shops which were built on space allocated for ...

CMDA dismantles 29 shops of Koyambedu vegetable market after HC directive

C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:
Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has started dismantling 29 shops which were built on space allocated for loading and unloading of goods in the Koyambedu market. The decision to dismantle the shops was taken following a Madras High Court order passed in the month of July.

Initially, the 29 shops built on the loading and unloading area near Gate Number five were to be used as service shops. The decision was challenged by Koyambedu Kaai, Kari, Malar Viyabarigal Nalasangam president M Thiagarajan, who filed a petition in the Madras High Court.

However, in the Madras High Court, CMDA submitted a status report which stated that it does not want to go against the original plan and bring about changes in the master plan or to alter the plan and utilise the space for putting up construction for the government agency or for service shops as the demand for space for loading and unloading inside the market area is on the rise.

Hence to minimise the congestion in the market area, the open space for loading and unloading as per the masterplan is required," CMDA submitted in the court.

Traders allege that the market was not built as per the original plan which had gone missing as such there had been many diversions. Currently, many shops have been bifurcated into five or even 11 sections where in hotels and other shops are sublet. They also informed that there had been regular complaints and issues before the court. CMDA tried to regularize all the illegal shops three years ago as per new drawings and the site condition, it was alleged.

Meanwhile, the work to dismantle the 29 shops is likely to ber completed by the end of this week following which the site will be used for loading and unloading operations, an official overseeing the demolition work said.

writingonblog uncensored: TN departments face ED heat; WRD department search...

writingonblog uncensored: TN departments face ED heat; WRD department search...: CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu government departments continue to face the heat from the Central government investigative agencies after the Enforcemen...

TN departments face ED heat; WRD department searched; sand mining barons under scanner

CHENNAI:

Tamil Nadu government departments continue to face the heat from the Central government investigative agencies after the Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday entered into the Water Resources Department's engineer-in-Chief premises in Chepauk along with Central armed police force and took away files pertaining to sand mining operations in the state.

This is the second time a government department was searched in the last one year. Earlier this year, jailed minister Senthil Balaji’s office was searched by the Enforcement Directorate for his links in a cash for jobs scam.

Sources said that searches by the Enforcement Directorate were also conducted in 30 places, including the residences and sides of sand baron S Ramachandran and Dindigul Rathinam.

Water Resources Department officials said that the searches in the department happened to ascertain the  link of Balaji to the sand mining barons. “Few files have been taken. One of the engineers was also taken for questioning,” said the official.

He also said that three quarries in Trichy and two in Chennai region were also searched. The officials at the Enforcement Directorate could not be contacted.

Dindigul based industrialist Rathinam's residence and office, situated near GTN Road in Dindigul and that of his close aide Govindan were searched. Rathinam also runs education institutions in Dindigul and Pudukottai districts.  He is also into real estate.

Similarly, Ramachandran's house located in Muthupattinam village and his office located at Nijam Nagar in Pudukkottai town

The duo are part of SRS mining and were earlier arrested in December 2016 along with Sekar Reddy, who was facing investigation in a money laundering case.
 

According to Central agencies the duo buy the sand at cheaper rate from the government mines and do the second sales at stackyard without any receipts thus avoiding value added tax and other taxes paid to the government. A total of 400 cubic feet of sand being sold in the government mine is worth approximately Rs 1,300. However, it is learnt that sand is unofficially sold for more than Rs 10,000. The sale depends on the size of the vehicles and per load is being sold at Rs 10,000, Rs 8,000 and Rs 6,000, sand mining sources added

 

In Vellore, searches were carried out at the Kanthaneri Palaru River's Public Works Department (PWD) sand quarry which has been under scrutiny since its establishment in March 2021.The quarry was leased by one Karigalan and Ramachandran. Permission was for sand mining up to a depth of 3 feet over a 5-acre stretch along the adjacent river. The operational logistics involved daily sand transportation from a distant mooring line, located 2 kilometers away, utilizing a fleet of over 500 tractor and tipper lorries. The sand was stockpiled within the quarry premises and subsequently sold at the government-prescribed rate of 6,300 rupees per unit.

 

Allegations, however, have arisen regarding the quarry exceeding its sanctioned sand extraction limit and encroaching on several additional acres of land. Furthermore, concerns have been raised about fraudulent receipts being used to sell three units of sand for 10,000 rupees each. During the search,  documents and a pen drive were seized.

The ED's investigation into the sand mining was triggered by allegations of money laundering and substantial tax evasion. It is alleged that while sand was officially sold online with an e-receipt provided at the sand mining depots, there were significant offline sales of sand that weren't consistently recorded

writingonblog uncensored: Tamil start-up reality show launched

writingonblog uncensored: Tamil start-up reality show launched: CHENNAI: ‘Startup Thamizha’ a first-of-its-kind Tamil Startup reality show launched by Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (StartupTN)...

Tamil start-up reality show launched

CHENNAI:
‘Startup Thamizha’ a first-of-its-kind Tamil Startup reality show launched by Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (StartupTN).

The show will be instrumental in bridging the gap between Startups and investors while creating awareness about Startups across the State, in the march towards making Tamil Nadu one of the top 20 Global Startup destinations.

StartupTN, functioning under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Department, conceptualised ‘Startup Thamizha’ as a television reality show with the primary aim of sensitising Startup founders and aspirants by showcasing Startups pitching their Innovations before global investors and successfully raising funds.

It will play an essential role in creating awareness of how entrepreneurs and innovators with a novel and scalable product or solution could make a big dream come true, without worrying about their biggest challenges. The show will also throw light on the new-age investment opportunities available for potential investors unaware of such novel avenues for investing. Details of the application process for Startups to get a chance to pitch in Startup Thamizha will soon be published on the StartupTN official website: startuptn.in/, the release added.

writingonblog uncensored: Travel behaviour of Chennaites to be mapped for pr...

writingonblog uncensored: Travel behaviour of Chennaites to be mapped for pr...: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: Chennaites travel behaviour will be mapped using a new software by Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority ...

Travel behaviour of Chennaites to be mapped for preparing transport roadmap for 25 years

C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:
Chennaites travel behaviour will be mapped using a new software by Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) to prepare a revised transport roadmap for the city for the next 25 years.

Systra, the consultant appointed by CUMTA, will come out with a transport model which will integrate household activities, land use patterns, traffic flow, and regional demographics. The model would be able to estimate travel behaviour in response to economic conditions, network conditions and facilities, the residential and employment location, land use and adaptive behaviour in response to transportation system changes.

Sources said that the consultant would develop the 4-stage transport demand model using Vissum, one of the world's leading transport planning software. The travel demand model would be based on the data collated from primary surveys and secondary resources for the entire Chennai Metropolitan Area (5904km).

The software will be capable of multi-modal split, transit assignment, and assessing the variations in speeds and frequency due to changes in overall traffic volume, and fares. It should also reflect the impact of new land-use developments or control policies.

It is learnt that an inception report of revised comprehensive mobility plan, prepared by the consultant,  was submitted to the government recently. Sources said that it will be reviewed by a high-level committee to work out other strategies. It is learnt that the revised CMP focusses on Green, Resilient, Inclusive, Development focused and Safe (GRIDS) principles focusing on the movement of ‘people’ instead of vehicles. The plan will look at mass transit options that will complement the proposed metro alignment. It could be another light rail system or a Bus Rapid Transit System, sources said.

BRTS, a dedicated lane for buses, was mooted nearly eight years ago but it never took off depite a detailed project report for five corridors was taken up. Compared to all other proposed transportation networks, BRTS costs the least, as it does not require commissioning of crores worth new infrastructure. Experts believe that the system could help increase patronage of public transport from the present 27 per cent to 40 per cent.

Apart from that the CMP is also looking at Metro Lite, an upgraded tram like mode. Metrolite, which will cost around 40-50 per cent of Metro Rail System, could link metro rail corridors under Phase I and Phase II which are five to six kilometres apart.  The Comprehensive Mobility Plan is being revised after the final draft was finalised in February 2020 during an authority meeting of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.

writingonblog uncensored: GIM: TN wants transition to knowledge economy, hig...

writingonblog uncensored: GIM: TN wants transition to knowledge economy, hig...: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: (Pix: Shiba) Tamil Nadu government is keen on generating high value jobs and help the state transition into knowledg...

GIM: TN wants transition to knowledge economy, high value jobs; not only on number of investments, says Industries Minister

C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: (Pix: Shiba)
Tamil Nadu government is keen on generating high value jobs and help the state transition into knowledge economy during the third edition of Global Investors Meet scheduled next year rather than focussing only on total number of investments, according to Tamil Nadu Industries Minister T R B Rajaa.

"The focus will be on knowledge assimilation rather than on low value job creation," the Industries minister told reporters at Tidel Park in Taramani. The Global Investors Meet will celebrate knowledge and listen to the best minds of the world. We are not going to focus mainly on investments during the third edition of GIM," said the minister. The state during the first edition of Global Investors held in September 2015 wooed more than Rs 2.42 lakh crore while the second edition held in January 2019 wooed investments worth 3.004 lakh crore.

Stating that Tamil Nadu never competed with other states in the country as it is way ahead in industrial growth, he said the focus is to compete globally and with countries. He said that Tamil Nadu as a state has never highlighted its achievements unlike others despite having vast talent and capability. "It is time the state has to take pride in its achievement," he said.

The minister also highlighted his keenness to bring more investments into Southern Tamil Nadu and said he is pushing for a large industrial giant to venture in the deep south. "Before Global Investors Meet, there could be a lot of investments happening in Southern Tamil Nadu," the minister said. He also said that in Cauvery delta, value addition will be given to agriculture products.

Highlighting on the investment by American multinational shipping and supply chain management company United Parcel Service’s (UPS) Technology Centre in Chennai, the minister said that another major investment in Global Capability Centre is likely to be announced soon. The minister said that the state is looking at investments which will provide high paying jobs for Tamil students.

The minister also said that the state's aim is to be numero uno state in production of green hydrogen but the hitch is that the state requires pump storage. The most significant challenge in achieving this transition to renewables is the need to maintain sufficient storage to address daily variations in solar and wind power. Solar electricity production is highest at midday, when electricity demand is typically lowest, while electricity demand peaks at night when solar energy production is near zero. Grid instability due to demand and supply mismatches can result in load shedding or even complete blackouts. For Tamil Nadu, this implies a significant need for long-duration energy storage systems.