nod for project to replace ennore power...

Current Affairs January 2012 (Tamil Nadu)

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Nod for project to replace Ennore power station Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has given approval to the ETPS (Ennore Thermal Power Station) Replacement Project of 600 megawatt (MW), setting the process formally for the closure of the four-decade-old EPS. The proposed plant will be established, using the state-of-the-art technology. The new plant, estimated to cost Rs. 3600 crore, will come up at the site where the ETPS is now located. It will be set up over 90 acres and there will be no land acquisition. The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) will now approach the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests for environmental clearance, the most crucial approval required before the project’s launch. This plant is in addition to another 600-MW unit tha has been proposed in Ennore. The other project – Ennore Annexe – is to take off soon as the TANGEDCO is expected to float bids in a month. As per the present schedule, work on the Ennore Annexe project will begin by June 2012 and will be completed by September 2015.The probable date of commissioning is December 2015. For both projects, the authorities are planning to draw coal from the Mandakini-B coal block in Orissa. This block, having a tentative reserve capacity of 1200 million tonnes, was allotted to Tamil Nadu in 2007. It is to be shared by the Odisha State Mining Corporation, the Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation, the Assam Mineral Development Corporation and the TANGEDCO in equal proportion. ‘Thane’ claims 48 lives Cyclone ‘Thane’ which devasted costal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry has claimed

48 lives. Of these 48 lives, 31 are reported from Cuddalore district alone. Officials were struggling to restore electricity and ensure regular water supply, Fire service personnel were manually clearing uprooted trees, while priority was being given to restoring power supply to water pumping stations. Tankers were mobilised from various districts to bring water, while Aavin rushed refrigeration units to

maintain milk supply. Tamil Nadu Government allotted initially Rs. 150 crore for the rehabilitation work.


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TN allots Rs. 700 cr package for cyclone-hit districts Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced a Rs. 700 crore package to provide immediate succor to the cyclone-ravaged districts, essentially Cuddalore. The amount announced was in addition to Rs. 150 crore released for immediate relief world. The total amount of relief package would be Rs. 850 crore. Of this, Rs. 300 crore would be earmarked for works to be undertaken by the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), Rs. 166 crore – compensation for damaged crops; Rs. 150 crore - temporary restoration of roads; Rs. 114 crore – compensation towards damaged huts and tiled houses; Rs. 50 crore – drinking water supply; Rs. 20 crore – compensation for damages to fishing boats and Rs. 50 crore for miscellaneous expenditure. CM promises panacea for cyclone loss

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa sought to reassure the people of Cuddalore district, who have suffered extensive damage caused by cyclone Thane that the government would provide them with necessary support and rehabilitation measures. Chief Minister distributed the relief worth Rs. 2.85 crore to the affected people. She said that the cyclone had wreaked havoc in the district. The government immediately activated its machinery to take up relief measures and allocated Rs. 850 crore for restoring water and power supply and undertaking road repair works. She said that farmers had lost their crops, fishermen their boats and fishing nets, and people, their dwelling units in the cyclone. But they need not worry about the losses because the government was with them to help reshape their life.


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Hike in cash awards for sport Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced doubling of the amount of cash awards given to sportspersons of the State for winning medals in Olympics, apart from enhancing the incentive for those winning laurels at national and international meets.

Sporting Event Previously given amt Hereafter Olympics - Gold Rs. 1 crore Rs. 2 crore Olympics - Silver Rs. 50 lakh Rs. 1 crore Olympics - Bronze Rs. 25 lakh Rs. 50 lakh CWG - Gold Rs. 20 lakh Rs. 50lakh CWG - Silver Rs. 15 lakh Rs. 30 lakh CWG - Bronze Rs. 10 lakh Rs. 20 lakh Asiad - Gold Rs. 1 lakh Rs. 5 lakh Asiad - Silver Rs. 50000 Rs. 3 lakh Asiad - Bronze Rs. 25000 Rs. 2 lakh Tourist and Industrial Fair open Tourism Minister, Ms. S. Gokula Indra inaugurated the 38th India Tourist and Industrial Fair at the Island Grounds in Chennai. The theme for this year is “Tourism: Cultural Links”. Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Puducherry are also taking part in this fair. Nakkheeran Vs Jayalalithaa The office of Tamil bi-weekly magazine Nakkheeran was attacked by AIADMK activists after it carried a report describing Chief Minister Jayalalithaa as a beef-eater. ‘Maatu Kari Saapidum Maami Nan (I am Brahmin woman who eats beef)’ was the title of the write-up, featured as cover story of the Nakkheeran issue. The article infuriated AIADMK workers. A group of them entered the Nakkheeran office after assaulting the watchman. They demanded the arrest of Nakkheeran editor Gopal. Besides burning copies of the magazine, they hurled broomsticks and footwear into the office. AIADMK activists also snatched the copies of the magazine from many newsstands across the State and burnt it. They also asked the shopkeepers not to sell the magazine in future. Many political parties and social activists have totally condemned the Nakkheeran magazine for the report. But the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and DMK Chief, Mr. M. Karunanidhi supported the magazine saying that any defamatory reports in the magazine should be challenged in the Court and not to threaten the press as it is a bad example of democracy. Both AIADMK and Nakkheeran have filed cases in the Madras High Court to take action against each other. Nakkheeran tells court that it regrets for its publications: Nakkheeran magazine submitted before the Madras High Court that they would publish a regret message in the cover page of the bi-weekly in its next issue.


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TN demands 5,000 crore for cyclone relief The Tamil Nadu government has sought nearly Rs. 5250 crore from the Centre for restoration works in areas battered by cyclone ‘Thane’. Around Rs. 1210 crore is for immediate restoration works and the rest for permanent restoration. The 9-memebr Central team headed by Mr. M. Lokesh Jha visited the affected areas of Cyclone ‘Thane’. The team visited the following districts in Tamil Nadu Puducherry (UT) Cuddalore Villupuram Thanjavur

Changes in TN Ministers portfolio Tamil Nadu Governor Mr. K. Rosaiah changed the portfolios of four ministers on the advice of Chief Minister Ms. J. Jayalalithaa. Minister Old Post New Post C.Ve.Shanmugam School, Education, Archaeology,

Sports and Youth Welfare, Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture

Commercial Taxes and Registration Minister

Agri Krishnamoorthy Commercial Taxes and Registration Minister

School, Education, Archaeology, Sports and Youth Welfare, Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture, Law, Courts and Prisons, Personnel and Administrative Reforms and Prevention of Corruption

P. Thangamani Revenue Industries, Steel Control, Mines and minerals and Special Initiatives

S.P. Velumani Industries Revenue 8 districts accounts for 45% road accidents in Tamil Nadu A recent survey has showed that eight districts of the State, representing one-fourth of the total number of districts, account for 45% of road accidents and fatal accidents. The 8 districts are,

Chennai Coimbatore Kancheepuram Madurai Salem Tirupur Vellore Villupuram

These districts witnessed 29855 accidents in 2010 and 25710 accidents in 2011 against the State’s total number of accidents of 64996 and 55592.


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TN Students to get free footwear, bags Tamil Nadu Government announced a series of measures, including free footwear and bags to students. For this the government has allocated Rs. 491 crore. Students of classes 1 to 8 would receive two more sets of uniforms in addition to the existing two sets from 2012-2013 academic year. Trousers and ‘salwar kameez’ would be provided to boys and girls studying in class six and above respectively as uniforms in place of the half-plants and half-sarees. Nearly 47 lakh students would get the benefit. The government also ordered provision of footwear to 81 lakh students at a cost of about Rs. 94.8 crore. This scheme would cover students of classes 1 to 10. Besides, the scheme of providing geometry boxes, school bags, maps and colour pencil boxes would cover about 92.3 lakh students and the government would incur an expenditure of Rs. 136.5 crore. TN seeks Rs 2500 crore from Centre The Tamil Nadu government has sought a ‘one time grant’ of Rs. 2500 crore from the Centre to improve infrastructure in the expanded Chennai Metropolitan area. Speaking at the pre-budget meeting of the State Finance Minister in New Delhi, the Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Mr. O. Pannerselvam said that Chennai was fast expanding. The area of Chennai Corporation had almost tripled after the recent merger of adjoining suburban areas. As the infrastructure requirement of this newly annexed area is very high, he has sought the one-time grant. Investor-friendly industrial policy on anvil – Chief Minister Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms. J. Jayalalithaa said that Tamil Nadu will soon come out with a new industrial policy which will not only be investor-friendly but also aimed at achieving balanced ands sustainable growth. The Tamil Nadu Government

signed a MoU with JETRO (Japanese External Trade Organisation). The Chief Minister expressed happiness that 35% of the Japanese industries in India were located in Tamil Nadu. Mr. Yukio Edano, Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry told the Chief Minister said that Japanese companies considered Tamil Nadu as an ideal destination for investments and requested her to facilitate

these. He requested that the access roads to Ennore port to be improved. He also offered the assistance of the Japanese government for undertaking a comprehensive study of the infrastructural requirements of the Chennai – Bengaluru industrial corridor. TNPSC Chairman quits Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission Chairman, Mr. R. Sellamuthu (who is facing allegations of corruption in recruitment of the candidates) has submitted his resignation to Governor Mr. K. Rosaiah.


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Awards constituted A scheme of awards for excellence in e-governance for government departments has been announced. The Chief Minister’s awards will be given for three sections –

Excellence in government process re-engineering Outstanding performance in citizen centric service delivery through innovative

use of technology District level e-governance initiative

There will be two committees, one of which will be headed by the Chief Executive Officer of Tamil Nadu e-governance Agency to identify eligible candidates, and another by the Chief Secretary to select such candidates. While a representative of the NASSCOM is part of the first committee, representatives of IIT, NIC, and Anna University are members of the second committee. Technical committee for Kalas Mahal In a fresh effort to save the Kalas Mahal, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has ordered the constitution of a technical committee to study the stability of the building, which was ravaged in a fire recently. Headed by former Dean (Civil Engineering) of the Anna University A.R. Santhakumar, the committee includes Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department (Buildings) R. Gopalakrishnan and C. Palanivelu, Chief planner of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CDMA), who is also the convener of the CMDA’s heritage committee. The committee will study different options. It will examine whether the heritage building can be restored. Else, it will suggest alternative measures. R. Natraj – new Chairman of TNPSC R. Natraj, retired officer of the IPS, was appointed as the Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC). He will hold the post till he attains the age of 62 years (March 2013). Padma Awards 2012 from Tamil Nadu Padma Vibhushan NIL Padma Bhushan 03 Padma Shri 04

PADMA BHUSHAN 1 Dr. T.V. Gopalkrishnan Art - Classical vocal and instrumental music 2 Shri M.S.Gopalakrishnan Art - Instrumental Music-Violin 3 Shri Subbiah MurugappaVellayan Trade and Industry

PADMA SHRI 1 Shri NatesanMuthuswamy Art - Theatre. 2 Dr. P.K. Gopal Social Work 3 Dr. ViswanathanMohan Medicine - Diabetology 4 Dr. Vallalarpuram Sennimalai Natarajan Medicine - Geriatrics


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Ford to bring in additional investment of Rs. 750 cr Ford India has decided to make an additional investment of Rs. 750 crore at its Maraimalar Nagar plant for the producing their new model, Ford Eco Sport. This was conveyed by the company’s President and Managing Director, Mr. Michael Boneham to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in Chennai. The fresh investment would create additional employment opportunities for about 400 people. After the present government took office in May, the company invested Rs. 380 crore, providing job opportunities for 340 persons. With the latest decision, the company’s total investment since the present government assumed office would be of the order of Rs. 1130 crore. It was during Ms. Jayalalithaa’s first term as Chief Minister that Ford was set up its first unit in 1995 in Maraimalainagar. It was the fist major investment by a foreign company in the State in the automotive sector. Mr. Boneham thanked the Chief Minister for the pioneering role played by her in attracting Ford’s investment.


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Green signal for next phase of outer ring road project Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has sanctioned the execution of the second phase of Chennai Outer Ring Road (ORR) on an outlay of Rs. 1075 crore. The entire length (61.65 km) of the ORR would link the four roads – Grand Southern Trunk Road (NH 45) in Vandalur, Grand Western Trunk Road (NH 4) in Nazarathepet, Chennai – Thiruvallur High Road (NH 205) in Nemilichery and TPP road in Minjur. Bids will be floated on a couple of months. Rs. 285 crore is allocated to State Highways Department.

CM to facilitate Japanese investment in State

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa told a Japanese business delegation that she would facilitate Japanese investment in the State. She was responding to the request of the delegation of her government’s co-operation when it called on her at the secretariat. She said that her government was paying a lot of attention to improve the infrastructure in Tamil Nadu to international standards. The delegation, led by Mr. Nobuo Ohashi, Chairman, Japan – India Business Co-operation Committee,

informed the Chief Minister that large number small and medium Japanese industries were looking at Tamil Nadu as an ideal investment.


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TN Cabinet once again reshuffled In yet another round of changes in the State Cabinet, two Ministers - Agri S.S. Krishnamoorthy and S.P. Velumani were dropped. On January 26, morning they attended the Republic Day function as the Ministers and on the same day in evening they dropped from the Cabinet is a highlight. Their places will be taken by N.R. Sivapathy and Mukur N. Subramanian. Information Technology Minister, Mr. K. A. Sengottaiyan, has been made as Revenue Minister.

Ministers Previous Post New Post Mr. K.A. Sengottaiyan Information Technology Revenue Mr. S.P. Velumani Revenue ------------------- Mr. Agri S.S. Krishnamoorthy School, Education,

Archaeology, Sports and Youth Welfare, Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture, Law, Courts and Prisons, Personnel and Administrative Reforms and Prevention of Corruption

-------------------

Mr. N.R. Sivapathy ------------------- School, Education, Archaeology, Sports and Youth Welfare, Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture, Law, Courts and Prisons, Personnel and Administrative Reforms and Prevention of Corruption

Mr. Mukur N. Subramanian ------------------- Information Technology


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63rd Republic Day function The 63rd Republic Day in the State was marked by the unfurling of the tricolour, ceremonial march past and cultural programmes presented by school and college students as well as by groups of folk artists. Governor K. Rosaiah hoisted the flag near the Gandhi statue on the Marina in the presence of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and other dignitaries. The ceremonial march past had 44 contingents, including those of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Railway Protection Force, Tamil Nadu Special Police, Coastal Security Group, City Police Band, Mounted Police, Commando Force, Fire Service Band, Nilgiris, Home Guards, National Cadet Corps, Bharat Scouts, Road Safety Patrol, ex-servicemen

The different forms of folk dances – Songi Mukhawate of Maharashtra, Gangaur of Madhya Pradesh, Thappattagullu of Andhra Pradesh and Kai Silambattam of Tamil Nadu - drew rapt attention of the audience. The South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavur and the State Information and Public Relations Department organised the performance of the artists. Nearly 20 departments of the State governments took part in the procession of tableaux. The Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) won the first prize; the Police Department, the second prize and the Departments of Fisheries and Horticulture, the third. The tableau of the DIPR displayed photographs of the Chief Minister with leaders and prominent personalities, such as Lal Bahadur Shastri, Mother Teresa, K. Kamaraj and Hillary Rodham Clinton.


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3 IPS offices in Tamil Nadu get President’s Police medal Three IPS officers in Tamil Nadu, including two Additional Directors-General of Police have been awarded the President’s Police Medal for distinguished service. They are,

Srilakshmi Prasaad, ADGP, Headquarters, Chennai Mithilesh Kumar Jha, ADGP, Technical Service, Chennai T.P. Sundaramurthy, Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore City

3 Fire and Rescue Services officials get Anna Medal for their courageous act 3 officials of the Fire and Rescue Services, who displayed exemplary courage while fighting the fire at the heritage building ‘Kalas Mahal’ at Chennai were given this year’s Anna Medal for Gallantry.

Mr. K. Anbalagan, Leading Fireman of the Teynampet Fire Station died Mrs. N, Priya Divisional Fire Officer of the Chennai Central Division Mr. R. Murugan Station Fire Officer of the Ashok Nagar Fire Station

Form this year, the government has enhanced the prize amount for the medal from Rs. 25000 to Rs. 1 lakh. The Chief Minister also presented the medal to two more recipients,

Mr. S. Harish Kumar Mr. S. Ravi


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Special scholarship to nurture elite sportspersons Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced a special scholarship scheme for elite sportspersons, under which the government will spend Rs.1.25 crore to nurture sportspersons capable of winning medals at international competitions such as Olympics. An official release stated that five sportsmen or women will be chosen and steps taken to prepare them for winning medals at international events. The amount will be utilised to provide them training and quality food, enable them to take part in competitions held in other countries and procure high-tech equipment. The scheme will also cover measures to help coaches improve their skills. To encourage better participation by school and college students in sporting events, she doubled the financial assistance for school and college students bagging medals at national level, from Rs.5,000 to Rs.10,000 and from Rs.6,500 to Rs.13,000 respectively. Due to the increase, the total expenditure incurred by the State government will be Rs.39.76 lakh, the release said. Ms. Jayalalithaa set aside Rs.50 lakh as recurring expenditure to award Rs.1 lakh, Rs.75,000 and Rs.25,000 respectively as prize money to three toppers in 20 categories of athletic competitions for the State-level Chief Minister's Trophy. For developing local games in villages, she sanctioned Rs.62 lakh for 31 villages.

TN Governor’s Address in Assembly Mr. K. Rosaiah, delivered his first address as Governor since assumption of office in August 2011. A Rs. 1000 crore project of building one lakh concrete houses in cyclone-hit districts of Cuddalore and Villupuram A special package of Rs. 5248 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund had been

submitted to the Centre MLAs can buy laptops Chief Minister Jayalalithaa gave approval for one-time purchase of personal computers or laptops with internet connection and printers for all MLAs from their constituency development fund. The MLAs Constituency development fund now is Rs. 2 crore.

nod for project to replace ennore power...

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