Tag: Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Modi Assures Support To Tamil Nadu Flood Situation

By LokMarg

In the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Michaung, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured support for Tamil Nadu and deputed Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to assess the flood situation.

In a post on X, Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister’s prompt attention to the dire situation.

“Prime Minister @narendramodi called me to inquire about the unprecedented floods in Southern Tamil Nadu, immediately after #CycloneMichaung,” CM Stalin said in the post.

The Chief Minister apprised the Prime Minister of the urgent need for financial support from the Union government to address the mounting challenges faced by the state.

“I have explained to him the massive rescue and relief efforts undertaken by the state government, despite resource constraints, and sought immediate financial support from the Union government,” he added.

In response to the Chief Minister’s plea, PM Modi assured full support from the Union government to help Tamil Nadu overcome these twin calamities.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister conveyed that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been deputed to assess the flood situation on the ground.

“Prime Minister has assured the support of the Union government to overcome these twin calamities and conveyed that he has deputed Union Finance Minister @nsitharaman to assess the flood situation,” Stalin said.

As Tamil Nadu grapples with the aftermath of the cyclone and flooding, the state government and the Centre have jointly mobilised a massive rescue and relief operation to help the affected people.

As many as 35 deaths have been reported so far in the ongoing flooding, with Thoothukudi district accounting for 22 fatalities and Tirunelveli 13.

On Saturday, Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena said the rescue operation in the flood-affected southern districts of the state has been completed and the focus now is on the restoration of basic services there. However, communication lines in some districts are still in disarray in the aftermath of the flood.

Roads and railway tracks have been left inundated due to the incessant rainfall across the state. (ANI)

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Madras High Court Tamil Nadu

Madras HC Sentences K Ponmudi To 3 Years Of Imprisonment in DA case

By LokMarg

The Madras High Court on Thursday sentenced Tamil Nadu Education Minister K Ponmudi to 3 years of simple imprisonment in a Disproportionate Assets (DA) case.

Justice G Jayachandran of Madras High Court sentenced the Education Minister and also imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakh each on Ponmudi and his wife.

However, the judge suspended the sentence for 30 days for Ponmudi, as he currently holds the Higher Education Minister portfolio.

Earlier, on Tuesday, the Madras HC set aside the trial court’s ruling that cleared Ponmudi of charges in the DA case.

While allowing an appeal filed by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), Justice G Jayachandran set aside the trial court’s judgement in which Minister Ponmudi was acquitted from the case. Justice Jayachandran directed Ponmudi and his wife to appear before the court on December 21 (Thursday).

The trial court, on June 28, 2023, in its order, acquitted Tamil Nadu Education Minister Ponmudi.

The case dates back to the period when the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was in power from 2006 to 2011. Ponmudi and his wife, Visalakshi, were prosecuted during the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) regime in 2011 for allegedly accumulating assets beyond their income.

The investigation in the case was led by Villupuram District Anti-Corruption Superintendent of Police, Kanniyappan.

More than a hundred people were investigated and chargesheets were filed in the case. It was alleged that Minister Ponmudi and Visalakshi had accumulated more than Rs 1.36 crore in assets.

Initially, the case was tried in the Villupuram Chief Criminal Court but it was shifted to the Villupuram Anti-Corruption Special Court in 2015.

In November 2022, following the transition of power and DMK taking charge, the case was transferred to the Vellore District Principal Sessions Court in November 2022.

A significant turn of events occurred when Ponmudi and his wife made a court appearance on the day of judgement in the asset embezzlement case. The presiding judge ruled in favour of the accused, citing insufficient evidence as grounds for acquittal from the property transfer charge.

As there was no appeal on behalf of the anti-bribery department against this judgement on June 28, Madras High Court Judge Anand Venkatesh took up the case.

Justice N. Anand Venkatesh of Madras High Court took up Suo Motu of the trial court order where Higher Education Minister Ponmudi was acquitted in the DA case booked by DVAC in 2006.

Ponmudi had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court as well, seeking consideration and potential resolution in the DA matter but the plea was later dismissed by the apex court. (ANI)

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INDIA Bloc on The Cusp of Victory

Stalin Writes To Jaishankar, Urges Release Of 45 Fishermen Held By Lanka

By LokMarg

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday wrote to External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar, urging him to take steps for the release of 45 fishermen and 138 fishing boats from Sri Lanka.

On December 13, six more Indian fishermen were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy, in the third such incident in a week, the CM stated in his letter to the EAM.

As many as six Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who were fishing in the international waters, were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy along with their trawler, near the Kankesanthurai area in the Emerald Isle on Wednesday.

According to the Sri Lankan Navy, the fishermen were involved in ‘illegal poaching’ and were detained off the Kovilan Lighthouse in Kareinagar in a special operation.

“The Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices by foreign fishing trawlers, taking into account the consequences of these practices on the livelihood of local fishermen and marine resources of the country,” read an official release by the Lankan navy.

The six fishermen belonged to the Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu.

Of the six, five fishermen were identified as Naresh (27), Anandababu (25), Ajay (24), Nandakumar (28) and Ajith (26).

However, the sixth person has still not been identified.

Earlier, 25 Indian fishermen, who were fishing in international waters, were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy along with their two trawlers, off Point Pedro town in Sri Lanka on December 9

The 25 fishermen belonged to the Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu and the Karaikal district of Puducherry.

The relatives of the fishermen expressed their concern about the incident and requested both central and state governments to rescue them, along with their two lifeboats.

Last month, 27 Indian fishermen held earlier were released by the Lankan authorities. They returned to the Chennai airport on separate days in sets of 12 and 15.

Earlier, in October, a total of 64 fishermen from Rameshwaram and Mandapam in Tamil Nadu were arrested in three separate batches by the Sri Lankan navy, for alleged cross-border fishing. They were held along with their boats and fishing nets.

Both the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre had expressed concern over the arrest of the fishermen. (ANI)

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Rajinikanth

Stalin Wishes Rajinikanth On His Birthday

By LokMarg

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.K Stalin on Tuesday extended a heartfelt birthday wish to the megastar Rajinikanth.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Stalin wrote in Tamil, “Happy Birthday to my beloved friend Rajinikanth. I wish you to continue to make people happy by giving successful movies with happiness and fulfilment.”

Meanwhile, on the work front, Rajinikanth is basking in the success of ‘Jailer’. He plays a man seeking to avenge the death of his cop son in the movie. Mohanlal, Shivarajkumar, and Jackie Shroff were seen in important cameos in the film.

In the coming months, he will be seen sharing screen space with Amitabh Bachchan in ‘ ‘Thalaivar 170’. It is being directed by TJ Gnanavel. Bachchan and Rajinikanth last worked together in the 1991 film ‘Hum’, directed by Mukul Anand. (ANI)

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Marapalam

TN: 8 Dead, Several Injured As Tourist Bus Falls Into Gorge Near Marapalam

By LokMarg

At least eight people including three women were killed, while several others were seriously injured after a tourist bus they were travelling in fell into a gorge near Tamil Nadu’s Marapalam on Saturday evening, police said. 

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Coimbatore Zone, Saravana Sundar, while speaking to ANI, said, “Around eight people died, while a few were seriously injured in the accident. Further investigation is underway.” 

Palani Samy, Joint Director of Coonoor Government Hospital, also confirmed 8 deaths. “The deceased included three females and 5 males,” he said. 

At least 25 tourists were reportedly injured in the accident. 

As per the police, the bus was on its way from Ooty to Mettupalaym in the Coimbatore district of the Southern state when the accident took place. 

The injured had been rushed to Coonoor government hospital for treatment. 

“55 people were in the bus. 35 people were injured and sent to Coonoor government hospital for treatment by ambulance,” officials said. 

During the preliminary inquiry, it came to light that the driver lost control over the wheels and ended up falling into a 100 ft-deep gorge at Marapalam near Coonoor, as per police. 

More details are awaited. (ANI)

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Cauvery Water

BJP Leaders Hold Protest Against K’taka Govt Over Cauvery Water Release

By LokMarg

BJP leaders held a protest against the Karnataka government over Cauvery water release to Tamil Nadu, in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Protesters raised slogans against CM Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar and called them agents of Tamil Nadu and DMK.

Former CM BS Yediyurappa staged a sit-in against the Karnataka government over the Cauvery water-sharing issue near the Gandhi statue in Bengaluru today.

BJP leader BS Yediyurappa said, “Our CM Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, they must know, that they should not behave like Tamil Nadu agents. They must realise the actual facts. In almost all our reservoirs there is no water at all and it is not sufficient for even drinking purposes… PM can’t interfere in this, the case is in SC. It’s not possible for him to interfere…”

BS Yediyurappa further said that CM Siddaramaiah and Irrigation Minister DK Shivakumar were behaving like Tamil Nadu agents so Karnataka was facing the crisis.

BJP Member of Parliament from Bangalore South Tejasvi Surya said that Karnataka must stop water that is being released to Tamil Nadu.

“Karnataka government has completely failed in putting forth proper details to the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) committee. Showing fingers towards to central govt is not going to work. Central official work has been done. Now it is in the hands of authorities and the Supreme Court” he said. 

BJP MLA BY Vijayendra Yediyurappa said, “The present Congress govt has not taken the Cauvery issue seriously. Farmers are literally on the streets and day by day the water is flowing to Tamil Nadu. The state government has completely failed in fulfilling its responsibility. The question of PM intervening in this issue does not rise because it is your (present Congress government) failure…”

Responding to the protests by the BJP State Home Minister G Parmeshwara said that the state government was capable of dealing with the issue. 

“As a government we have some responsibilities, let them do their politics in Cauvery issue. Government will take care of our farmers” said Parmeshwara. 

Meanwhile Chief Minister Siddaramiah has said that the state will challenge the order of the Cauvery Water Management Authority in the Supreme Court. 

“Cauvery Regulatory Committee (CWRC) has ordered to release 3000 cusecs of water, I have already spoken to our advocates. They have suggested us to challenge this order in the Supreme Court. We will challenge it in the

Supreme Court. We don’t have water to release to Tamil Nadu” the Karnataka Chief Minister said.

The CWRC had ordered Karnataka to ensure the release of 3000 cusecs of Cauvery water at Biligundlu starting from September 28 till October 15, 2023. The amount of water to be released was earlier 5000 cusecs. (ANI)

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CWRC Karnataka

CWRC Asks Karnataka To Release 3000 Cusecs Of Water To TN Till Oct 15

By LokMarg

The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) has recommended Karnataka to ensure release of 3000 cusecs of Cauvery water at Biligundlu starting from September 28 upto October 15, 2023. The amount of water to be released was earlier 5000 cusecs. 

In its 87th meeting of CWRC held in New Delhi today, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu made their submissions before the committee.  

The submission made by Karnataka stated that the shortfall in cumulative inflows to the state’s four reservoirs upto September 25 was 53.04 per cent.

“The Government of Karnataka in the order dated September 13 has declared 161 Talukas in the State as severely drought-affected and 34 Talukas as moderately drought-affected. Out of this, 32 severely drought-affected Talukas and 15 moderately drought-affected Talukas fall in the Cauvery basin. This aspect needs utmost recognition and invites critical consideration by the committee,” the submission said.

The submission further stated that Karnataka was not in a position to release any water from its reservoirs or contribute any flows from its reservoirs to the flows to be maintained at the interstate border of Biligundlu.

Tamil Nadu urged CWRC that Karnataka has to release the shortfall quantity immediately and further flows as per the distress proportion. Tamil Nadu also urged CWRC that Karnataka too had to reduce its irrigation supply based on the distress proportion.

Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday accused opposition parties Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka of “doing politics” over Cauvery water sharing row.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, CM said, “It’s most unfortunate that BJP and JDS both are doing politics in Cauvery issue. It is just because of politics, not for the people of the state or the people”.

The Karnataka CM also urged the Water Management Authority to implement a distress formula for Water Sharing when there was a water shortage.

“So far no distress formula has been implemented. We have been praying for the distress formula in Cauvery water sharing issue. SC or CWMA have not given distress formula solution, whenever there is less rain, there should

be distress formula to share water” Siddaramaiah said. 

The order from the CWMA comes on day where organisations organised a bandh in Bengaluru against the CWMA’s decision ordering the government to release water. 

There have also been protests in Trichy and other regions of Tamil Nadu along the Cauvery delta where the farmers allege they do not have enough water to ensure Kurai (Paddy Crop) Cultivation. (ANI)

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Cauvery Water

Farmers Protest By Holding Rats In Their Mouth: Cauvery Water Dispute

By LokMarg

Farmers in Trichy engaged in an unexpected way as a token of protest against Karnataka and the central government demanding Cauvery water release from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu. Farmers held rats in their mouth to mark their protest over the ongoing dispute with Karnataka.

National South Indian River Interlinking Farmers’ Association Tamil Nadu unit president Ayyakannu is leading the protest in Trichy.

The protestors demanded the sharing of Cauvery water to save the standing ‘kuruvai’ crop cultivation in TN.

Earlier a group of farmers in Trichy on Sunday staged a protest in Cauvery River water over the ongoing dispute with Karnataka. The farmers were demanding the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, the farmers in Karnataka’s Mandya are protesting to stop water from being released from Karnataka dams to Tamil Nadu. Farmers across Karnataka have been protesting since the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) ordered the state to release 5000 cusecs of water to its neighbouring state Tamil Nadu, for 15 days, effective from September 13.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai, PS Narasimha and Prashant Kumar Mishra on Thursday while refusing to interfere in the Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu said both CWMA and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) are regularly meeting and monitoring the water requirements every 15 days.

The court declined to entertain an application filed by the Tamil Nadu government to increase its current share of Cauvery water from 5,000 to 7,200 cusecs per day.

There were widespread protest in Karnataka as well wit the capital city Bengaluru observing a bandh over the Cauvery Water Management Authority asking Karnataka to release 5000 cusecs of water till September 28.

Karnataka CM Siddaramiah appealed to all parties to not do politics on the issue. 

“It’s most unfortunate that BJP and JDS both are doing politics in cauvery issue. Its just because for politics, not for the people of the state or the people, when they said we’ll call for bandh, they have all the right to call bandh. But there is SC verdict regards to this. When we excise our fundamental rights, other shouldn’t be disturbed, that’s what SC said” Siddaramiah said. 

“So far there is no distress formula has implemented. We are been praying for the distress formula in cauvery water sharing issue. SC or CWMA have not given distress formula solution, whenever there is less rain, there should be distress formula to share water. One more solution is Mekedaatu project which can save up to 70 TMC of water which benefits the both states” the Karnataka Chief Minister added. (ANI)

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SC Summons Udhyayanidhi

Sanatan Dharma Row: Udhayanidhi Says No SC Summons Received

By LokMarg

Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday said that he has not received any notice from the Supreme Court asking for his explanation for his Sanatan Dharma remarks which triggered a political storm in the country. 

“I saw about the Supreme Court order in the media. There is still no notice received from the Supreme Court asking for an explanation,” Stalin told reporters here. 

The Supreme Court on Friday had issued notice to him for his remarks calling for the eradication of ‘Sanatan Dharma’.

A bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi had also issued notice to MP A Raja, MP Thol Thirumavalavan, MP Thiru Su Venkatesan, Tamil Nadu DGP, Greater Chennai Police Commissioner, Union Home Ministry, Minister for Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department PK Sekar Babu, Chairman of Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission Peter Alphonse and others.

The apex court which was initially reluctant to entertain the plea and asked the petitioner to approach the High Court, agreed to hear the case.

The bench asked about the context of the remarks, the advocate appearing for Chennai-based lawyer B Jagannath who filed the plea, said, “They have called for eradication of a faith, in an institution.”

The Counsel argued that if such a comment was made by an individual it would be understood, but the State is unleashing its machinery.

He told the bench that circulars have been given asking students to speak against it.

“A constitutional functionary speaking like this is impermissible. Second, students should not be forced to speak out against so and so Dharma,” the counsel said.

The plea filed through advocate Balaji Gopalan sought intervention to not allow Udhayanidhi Stalin and others to make further remarks on Sanatana Dharma.

It also sought to declare the participation of Tamil Nadu Ministers in the meeting — Sanatana Dharma Eradication conference — held on September 2, as unconstitutional.

The petition further sought direction from the respondents — Stalin, Peter Alphonse, A Raja Thol Thirumavalavan and their followers — not to make any further remarks against Sanatana Dharma or Hinduism.

The petitioner urged the DGP to submit a report as to how the conference was given police permission and why no action was taken against the perpetrators and the organisation responsible for the event.

The plea sought directions from the Home Secretary and the CBI Director to immediately direct an investigation and enquiry into the background of holding such events, including the sources pertaining to who is responsible for the contribution of the amount to such organisations.

It also sought directions from the Tamil Nadu government’s Higher Education Department, asking them not to hold any events on ‘Sanatana Dharma’ in secondary schools.

The remarks of DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin triggered a massive political controversy across the country.

On September 5, 262 eminent citizens including former High Court judges and bureaucrats wrote to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud urging him to take note of Stalin’s hate speech calling for the eradication of ‘Sanatana Dharma’.

They wrote a letter to the CJI stating that the Supreme Court had directed the governments and police authorities to take suo motu action in hate speech cases without waiting for the lodging of formal complaints. (ANI)

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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sambit Patra Pro-Tem Speaker Selection

Anti-Hindu Coordination Committee, Patra Slams INDIA Bloc

By LokMarg

Amid a row over Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Sambit Patra on Wednesday accused the INDIA alliance of conspiring to abolish “Hinduism”. 

Launching a sharp attack on the INDIA alliance, Patra referred to the 14-member coordination committee  which is set to meet at Sharad Pawar’s residence this evening as the “Anti-Hindu Coordination Committee” (AHCC).

“Today Anti-Hindu Coordination Committee (AHCC) meeting has been called at Sharad Pawar’s home. They will also discuss seat sharing. But before the coordination, the non-coordination and non-cooperation has started,” Patra said. 

“This is not a meeting of campaign or seat sharing… Their only aim is to abolish Hinduism… The meeting is on the same topic… They called Hinduism dengue and malaria, corona, leprosy, and AIDS. They compare Hinduism with such diseases. They called it a world menace,” Patra said,” he added. 

Countering Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin over a remark on Sanatana, the BJP leader said that if such words were used against any other religion, they would have reached the United Nations.

“If such words were used against any other religion, they would have reached the United Nations with a complaint that India is intolerant. This is not by mistake, it is a well-designed statement… This is a design under which several years ago they said that Lord Ram is imaginary and nonexistent,” BJP leader said. 

Patra recounted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s statement that they don’t fear from SIMI but from Hindus.

“When Rahul Gandhi said, that we don’t have risk from SIMI but from Hindus, this was not a disaster in statement, it is a well-understood statement,” he added. 

Patra also attacked former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray’s Godhra remarks and questioned the Aam Aadmi Party’s support for the same and said that, “The 26 parties are one… it is clear from Uddhav Thackeray’s statement that another Godhra incident may happen… Aam Aadmi Party is supporting it saying that Uddhav Thackeray is a senior leader, he might be right… Samajwadi Party says Shriramcharitmanas should not be read… This morning SP said that the Ram Mandir should not be made… RJD leader says that the people applying ‘Tilak’ are dangerous to the nation.”

The first meeting of the Coordination Committee of the INDIA alliance, scheduled to be held on Wednesday in the national capital will discuss the Special Session of Parliament among other things.

Opposition’s Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) in its third meeting in Mumbai on September 1 announced a 14-member coordination committee. (ANI)

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