Tuticorin News: 10/01/2006

Monday, October 30, 2006

Heavy rain claims a life in Tuticorin

Valliammal (65) was washed away when she tried to cross a jungle stream near Pasuvanthanai, along with Lakshmanan (42) and Poovammal (65), on Saturday night. The other two managed to escape.

All the three were returning home after witnessing Skanda Sashti festival at Lord Subramanyaswamy temple in Tiruchendur.

Meanwhile, the district received a total of 110.3 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. on Sunday.

Following is the rainfall recorded (in mm) at various rain gauge stations: Tiruchendur — 4; Kayalpattinam - 7; Kulasekarapattinam - 10; Kovilpatti-36; Kazhugamalai — 5.2; Maniyachi - 6; Keezha Arasadi - 6; Sattankulam - 16; Srivaikundam - 3.9; and Tuticorin Harbour — 16.2.

A search for talent held at Tuticorin

A talent search examination for school students, jointly organised by the State Bank of India and Sakthi Vinayakar Hindu Vidhyalaya, was held here on Sunday.

In all 1,032 students from 17 schools wrote the examination, which tested their skills in Mathematics, Social Science, Current Affairs, General Aptitude, Language and literature.

The examination was held in two categories, of which Category A was meant for students of Class VI to IX and Category B for students studying in Class X to Class XII. The results of the exam would be published soon. The winners of Category A and B will be awarded Rs.750 and Rs.1,000, respectively. The runners-up of Category A and B will receive Rs.500 and Rs.750 respectively.

DMK victorious in six panchayat unions in Tuticorin

In the elections held to the posts of Chairman of 12 Panchayat Unions in the district on Saturday, the DMK came out victorious in six unions, the AIADMK in three unions, the Congress in one and Independents in two unions.

While DMK candidates became Chairmen in Tuticorin, Karungulam, Srivaikundam, Alwarthirunageri, Tiruchendur and Kovilpatti panchayat unions, the AIADMK men registered victories in Sattankulam, Vilathikulam and Pudur unions, and Congress won in Udangudi.

Independents tasted victory in the elections held in Ottapidaram and Kayathar unions.

V. Karunakaran of the DMK was elected Chairman of Tuticorin union, after he upset the applecart of V.P.R. Suresh of the AIADMK, who was Chairman in the previous term, by the closest margin.

Mr. Karunakaran won by a 13-12 score in the union council, which had 25 ward members.

Following are the other victors: Karungulam - Avanna Kosalaram Raja (DMK); Srivaikundam - A Selvi (DMK); Tiruchendur - S Umadevi (DMK); Udangudi — Y Rajaratinam ( Congress); Sattankulam- Anantharaj (AIADMK); Kovilpatti - V Murugesan ( DMK); Kayathar- A Perumal ( Independent); Vilathikulam - S Amudhavalli (AIADMK); Pudur - V Markandeyan (AIADMK) and S Sukirta (Independent).

Among the winners, S. Umadevi, Anantharaj, Murugesan and Perumal were elected unopposed.

The elections to the post of vice-chairmen to the respective unions were held in the evening. The elections at Ottapidaram were postponed since there was no quorum.

In the elections to the post of presidents to 19 Town panchayats in the district, DMK and AIADMK candidates shared five each, Congress men won in two and Independents succeeded in seven.

Following are the winners: Tiruchendur — M. M. Mahendran (AIADMK); Arumuganeri — S. Ponraj (AIADMK); Authoor — A. N. S. Sheikh Dawood (AIADMK); Eral — M. R. Kannan (Ind); Ettayapuram - T Rajendran (Ind); Kazhugamalai — A Subbramanaian (Ind); Nazareth — S Mamannan (Ind); Sattankulam - P. Thangathai (Congress); Sawyerpuram - D. Ponsekhar (Ind); Srivaikundam - Kandasiva Subbu (DMK); Udangudi - Shahul Hameed (Congress); Vilathikulam — M. Bhuvaneswari (DMK); Alwarthirunageri — C. Athinathan (AIADMK); Kadambur - M Rajarajeswari (Ind); Kayathar - P Arumugan (DMK); Pudur — V. Jeyavel (Ind); Kanam — V. Senthamiz Sekhar (AIADMK); Perungulam - T Sivakumar - (DMK); and Thenthiruperi — P. Chandran ( DMK).

The Collector R. Palaniyandi told mediapersons that a special officer was appointed to govern the Sivagnanapuram village panchayat, as no election was conducted to the posts of panchayat president as well as ward members owing to non-filing of applications.

Source: The Hindu

Victory for AIADMK in Tuticorin

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led alliance retained supremacy in the district panchayat elections, as N. Chinnadurai (AIADMK) was elected Chairman of District Panchayat defeating his rival, C. S. Raja (DMK) by 10 votes to eight here on Saturday.

The council has a total of 18 members including seven each from the AIADMK and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, three from the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and one from the Congress.

Official sources told mediapersons that Tuticorin was the only district in the State where the AIADMK got supremacy in the District Panchayat elections.

The elections to the post of District Panchayat Chairman were held at the Collectorate during the first council meeting of the newly inducted district panchayat on Saturday morning.

Mr. Chinnadurai and Mr. Raja submitted their nominations to the Collector R. Palaniyandi, the Returning Officer for the elections.

The Project Officers of District Rural Development Agency and Mahilar Thittam, A. Palanisamy and Madasamy, were present to ensure smooth polling.

As the results were announced in favour of Mr. Chinnadurai, AIADMK cadres led by former Minister and Tiruchendur MLA, Anitha Radhakrishnan, rushed to the Collectorate and garlanded the victor.

Source: The Hindu

Rs.50-lakh facility for Tuticorin hospital

A new maternity ward will be established on the Tuticorin Medical College and Hospital premises, on an outlay of Rs.50 lakh, according to V.K. Subburaj, State Health Secretary.

The construction would commence this financial year and the facility would start functioning in the next fiscal.

Speaking to The Hindu here on Friday, he said that the present maternity ward with 100 beds was insufficient to cater to the increasing number of in-patients.

The department would distribute quality mattresses and bed linen for all the 600 beds at the hospital.

Work on the proposed Rs.19-crore super-specialty block at the hospital would commence this financial year and completed within a year.

Modern canteens would also be established — one near the hospital and another near the hostel for house surgeons.

On the large number of posts lying vacant at the hospital, and reported to be crippling its effective functioning, he said that steps would be taken to fill the 200-odd vacancies.

He said that instructions had been issued to the Director of Medical Education, Director of Public Health and Director of Medical Services to fill the vacancies at the earliest.

Source: BombayNews.net

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Widespread rain in Tuticorin

Rain lashed the district on Wednesday night and in the wee hours of Thursday. A total of 338.2 mm rainfall, with an average of 16.97 mm, was recorded in the district during the 24 hours ending 8 a.m. on Thursday. The Minister for Animal Husbandry, P. Geetha Jeevan, visited George Road, which was flooded in the overnight rain and supervised steps taken by the municipal administration to drain the water.

Following is the amount of rainfall recorded (in mm) at different stations:
Tiruchendur 15; Kayalpattinam 9; Kulasekarapattinam 11.2; Vilathikulam 8.4; Kadalkudi 16; Soorangudi 17; Kovilpatti 9; Kayathar 58; Kadambur 47; Ottapidaram 13; Maniyachi 48; Vedanatham 7; Keezha Arasadi 14; Ettayapuram 20; Sattankulam 2; Srivaikundam 7.4; Kazhugamali 8.2 and Tuticorin 12.2.

Uniforms for special school inmates

The National Child Labour Project (NCLP) plans to distribute new set of uniforms to the 1,650 rescued child labourers studying at various special schools run by it in the district before November 30. M. Nallaperumal, Project Director, NCLP, said the government has sanctioned Rs. 1.35 lakh towards procurement of clothes and stitching charges.

The boys would get a set of polyester-combined cotton white shirt and khaki shorts, and the girls a set of blue-casement skirt with blue blouse and blue half-sari. Cloth materials would be bought from `Co-optex' brand of the Tamil Nadu Handloom Weavers' Society for stitching uniforms.

Mr. Nallaperumal said that four child labourers were rescued in the district since the government order prohibiting employment of children below the age of 14 years came into effect on October 10. The four children were rescued from non-hazardous establishments at Kovilpatti. While Sankaralingam (13), Ravikumar (13) and Rajan (13) were rescued from textile shops, Satish (13) was rescued from a fruit stall.

A team of officials from the NCLP and Labour Department inspected about 550 roadside eateries, teashops and recreational centres, following the new Government Order, but did not come across any child labourer in these establishments, he said.

On children employed as domestic help, Collector R. Palaniyandi said that the district administration did not receive any complaints in this regard till date. We would inspect the houses only when we get specific complaints. The public could register complaints to the help-line centre at the Collectorate at 0461-2340606, if they found children employed as domestic help, he said.

Official sources said efforts are under way to establish a residential school for child labourers at Kovilpatti. It is expected to start functioning this academic year itself. It would be set up by integrating child workers studying at 10 special schools run by the NCLP in and around Kovilpatti.

Presently, the NCLP runs 33 special schools in the district, of which 10 are at Kovilpatti, 11 at Kayathar, one each at Kadambur, Kazhugumalai and Vaippar, two each at Vilathikulam and Pudur, and five in Tuticorin.

Once the children are enrolled in the residential school, dropout rates will come down, it is expected.

Source: The Hindu

3,936 persons assume office in Tuticorin

A total of 3,936 persons who successfully fought the local body elections held recently, assumed offices at swearing-in-ceremonies conducted at different parts of the district on Wednesday.

Of them, 2,932 persons took charge as village panchayat ward members, 405 persons as presidents of village panchayats, 186 as panchayat union ward members, 18 as district panchayat ward members, 290 as town panchayat ward members, 87 as councillors in Tuticorin and Kovilpatti municipalities and 18 as councillors in the third grade municipality at Kayalpattinam.

Four town panchayat ward members, who could not assume office on Wednesday, were expected to do so on Thursday.

Tuticorin municipality

At a glittering ceremony held at the municipal office in Tuticorin, Municipal Commissioner K. Kanagaraj administered the oath of office and secrecy to all the 51 councillors.

The first councillor to take the oath was R. Selvakumar of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, who got elected from ward 1 defeating his nearest from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Murugan, by a margin of 177 votes. He was followed by councillors who were elected from ward 2 to ward 51 in a chronological order.

The strength of the DMK in the house went up to 28, after five Independents joined the party a few days before the swearing-in-ceremony.

They included K. V. K. Samy, who got elected from ward 11, P. Delwin of ward 14, S. Rexlin of ward 20, P. Isaballah of ward 34 and A. Sankaralingam of ward 44.

Minister for Animal Husbandry P Geetha Jeevan was present.

District panchayat

All the 18 members who got elected as ward members in the district panchayat assumed office at a function held at the Collectorate.

The eldest member, Mavelraj (65) of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, who got elected from ward 18, took the oath of office first, in the presence of the Collector R. Palaniyandi.
Subsequently, he administered the oath to the other members, which included Manoj, Thiruparakadal, K. Revathy, P. Selvakumar, Athishtaraj, N. Chinnadurai, Aavudiammal (all AIADMK), Vidyasagaran, T. Emi, A Bhramasakthi, A Bhupathi, C.S.Raja, Uma devi, Navaneethalingam (all DMK), Rajathi (Congress) and Subbulakshmi and Ramesh (both MDMK).

While the Executive Officers of 19 town panchayats administered the oath of office to the ward members at their respective headquarters, village panchayat presidents administered oath to respective village panchayat ward members.

Source: The Hindu

Science quiz conducted

The Junior Jaycee Wing at the Fisheries College and Research Institute (FCRI), Tuticorin, conducted an inter-school science quiz competition titled `SCIFIZ-2006' on the institute premises on October 18.

Eleven schools registered for the event of which six schools qualified for the finals.

St. Thomas Higher Secondary School, Tuticorin, emerged winner and bagged the SCIFIZ trophy, after 16 rounds of intense competition.

The second and third places went to C.M. Higher Secondary School and Sakthi Vinayagar Hindu Vidhyalaya respectively.

G. Sugumar, Associate Professor of Microbiology, FCRI, was the quizmaster. A.V. Ramanathan, Deputy Manager, Heavy Water Plant, Department of Atomic Energy, gave away the prizes. V.K. Venkataramani, Dean, FCRI, was present.

Source: The Hindu

Union Cabinet grants its approval for Container Scanning Systems for Tuticorin Port

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for procurement through a Global Tender of 4 fixed X ray and 3 mobile Gamma ray container scanners at a cost of Rs. 172.94 crore for installation at Mumbai, Chennai, Tuticorin and Kandla Ports.

The Cabinet’s decision for installation of container scanners will assist the Customs Department in the discharge of its statutory functions, i.e. the collection of customs duties and other levies as well as the prevention / detection of movement, across the country’s international borders of contraband goods.

The non-intrusive Inspection of cargo by container scanners will reveal discrepancies between the declaration made in the prescribed documents and the cargo actually stuffed inside the containers. Mis declaration of the quantity or the description of goods will lead to evasion of duty in respect of import/export of goods. The Customs officers will thus be assisting in detecting cases of duty evasion.

Source: Press Information Bureau

Heavy rain in Tuticorin

Heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning lashed district
on Monday night and in the wee hours of Tuesday.

Official sources said a total of 614 mm rainfall with an average of 32.31
mm was recorded during the last 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

The highest rainfall was recorded in Tuticorin, which received 123.6 mm in
that period, followed by 71 mm at Kovilpatti.

The precipitation was so heavy that low-lying areas were inundated in the
12 blocks. Saltpans situated along the Tuticorin coastline were submerged.

Though the rain took a break on Tuesday morning, the municipal office
premises here was flooded, which forced the authorities to pump out the
water.

Traffic was slow in many segments till Tuesday afternoon, as water remained
on road surface, owing to poor drainage facilities.

Since power supply was disrupted in places, soon after the downpour started
on Monday night, a good chunk of residents had sleepless nights, owing to
mosquito menace.

Power was eventually restored only in the morning in areas like Koramballam
situated adjacent to the Collectorate.

Making the matters worse, garbage, which remained uncollected in most of
the wards, owing to lack of an effective solid waste management system, was
seen floated in stagnant water.

District administration sources said that there was no damage or casualty
reported from any part of the district.

The weather bureau had predicted more rain for the next 48 hours, but no
specific warning was issued to fishermen, so far.

Following is the amount of rainfall recorded (in mm) in various parts:
Tiruchendur- 32; Kovilpatti- 71; Vilathikulam - 30; Kulasekarapattinam -
34.2; Ettayapuram - 60; Vedanatham - 14; Vyppar - 35; Kazhugamalai - 47;
Tuticorin - 123.6; Kadalkudi - 47; Kadambur-20; Kayathar - 9; Keezha
Arasadi- 24; Maniyachi - 26; Ottapidaram - 16; Sattankulam - 9;
Srivaikundam - 6.2 and Soorangudi - 10.

Source: The Hindu

TAC biolarvicide 'eliminates' chikungunya

Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals and Fertilisers Limited hopes that its product - TACBIIO-Bti, (Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis), an effective biolarvicide, would be used by the public health departments throughout the country to eliminate chikungunya- and dengue-causing mosquito at the larvae stage.

Field trials of the product developed at the Rs 8.6 crore TAC plant in Chembarambakkam, near Chennai, have proved 100 per cent effective, said S Chandramohan, TAC managing director.

Only 10-15 per cent of the plant's capacity was now being used by the public health sector though a litre of the biolarvicide would cost only Rs 800. The plant could produce the one lakh litres of the product required by the public health department to be used in large water-stagnant areas like tanks.

Chandramohan said his company had made a presentation to Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss following successful trials. He was confident that the Union Health Department would go in for the product to be used throughout the country as it was not expensive. Secondly, prevention was better than cure.

During 1997, TAC established the country's first Bioproducts Unit at Chembarambakkam, on the Chennai-Bangalore Highway, with capital expenditure of Rs 8.60 crore. The unit comprises the main plant, supporting offsites and utilities facilities and a well-equipped, modern quality control laboratory. The heart of the main processing plant includes state-of-the art Fermenters (electropolished SS-316 vessels) designed and imported from Bio-Engineering Company, Switzerland, along with sophisticated 'SCADA' control system.

The facility is designed to manufacture 90,000 litres per annum of environment-friendly biopesticides for pest control in the agricultural sector and biolarvicides for mosquito control in the public health sector. These products were developed and given by the Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, Vector Control Research Centre, Puducherry, and TAC's own in-house R&D.

TACBIIO-Bti:

TACBIIO-Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis) is an effective biolarvicide to kill larvae belonging to anopheles species (causing malaria), aedes species (causing dengue fever and chikungunya) and culex species (causing filaria).

Being a biological larvicide, it does not harm human beings, wildlife, fishes, beneficial predatory insects or the environment at large, Chandramohan said.

Apart from being eco-friendly, this product can be used in areas where chemical larvicides could not be used due to resistance, hazardous to non-target species such as fish and risk of contamination.

This product, after dilution with water (1:50), can be sprayed in polluted rivers, choked drains, stagnant pool and other mosquito-breeding areas. Immediately after spraying, the mosquito larve start eating the product. Following ingestion, the end-toxin crystals are activated by the gut fluids. In the active form, the toxins rapidly attack the gut wall. Lesions in the wall lead to paralysis and death of the larvae within 24 hrs of ingestion.

The product TACBIIO-BTI has a permanent registration with the Central Insecticides Board (CIB) both for local use and export, under Section 9 (3) of the Insecticides Act 1968. Since September 1998, TAC has marketed around 30,000 litres of the product to the municipal corporations of Chennai, Kochi, Kolkata, Bhiwandi and Kozhikode along with some municipalities in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The biolarvicides were found to be very effective, he added.

Recently, the National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) at Rourkela along with the Rourkela Municipality and the District Malarial Officer, Rourkela, conducted a long-term study starting from June 2005 to July 2006 on the efficacy of the product. A 100 per cent mortality was observed during the field trials. This report was forwarded by NIMR to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Despite its effectiveness and the eco-friendly nature, the actual usage of the product has been quite disappointing, said Pal Jayaseelan, the company's microbiologist.

When the company approached the public health departments in the various municipalities and corporations, for using the product for combating the various kinds of mosquitoes at the larve stage itself, the usual explanation was that enough money was not available in the budget to purchase the material, he added.

Even big municipal corporations like Chennai bought only 1,000 to 1,500 litres of biolarvicide that too once in two or three years, despite mosquito breeding in every available place in the city. The total cost of about one lakh litres would come only to around Rs 8 crore, which was a considrerably lower amount than what is being spent by the local bodies to tackle the diseases.

Source: Chennai Online

Dead woman wins election in Tuticorin

Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has admitted a writ petition seeking to declare the 'runner up' in the civic polls to the Meerankulam panchayat in Tuticorin district as the 'winner', since the election was won by a dead candidate.

The petitioner Sakthikani submitted that in the panchayat, reserved for women, there were four contestants, including herself, Helen Jesila, A Karpagam and M Jayantha for the October 13 polls.

Helen died ahead of the polls on October 1 in a road accident. But the elections were held without the Returning Officer deleting Helen's name. The election officials had said that the deletion, after the date of withdrawal, would halt the poll process. They had hoped that the electorate would not elect a dead woman.

The deceased won the polls with 664 votes, while the petitioner got 496 votes.

The Returning officer did not declare the election results. Sakthimani contended that she should have been declared winner under ‘natural and normal circumstances’.

The Judge Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar said the writ jurisdiction could not be invoked to resolve such disputes and only the district court could act on it.

Even if the writ was maintainable, the judge wondered if the petitioner could claim to be the winner especially when she had not secured majority of votes. The matter was posted for hearing on October 30.

Source: Finiancial Express

Amateur Radio Club in Tuticorin

Tuticorin has got an Amateur Radio Club.

It is functioning at the following address,

VU2SRC

Spic Nagar Amateur Radio Club,

Gymkhana,

Spic Nagar,

Tuticorin-628005.

http://pcarc.blogspot.com/

67.15 per cent of votes were polled in Tuticorin district

The final data released by the district administration on Monday showed that an overall 67.15 per cent of votes were polled in the local body elections, which were held in two phases on October 13 and October 15.

Speaking to media persons, Collector R. Palaniyandi said of the total 10,93,419 electorate, 7,34,281 voters exercised their franchise to select 186 panchayat union ward members, 2,077 village panchayat ward members,18 district panchayat ward members, 366 village panchayat presidents, 252 town panchayat ward members and 105 municipal councillors.

"Among the total votes polled, 3,81,353 electors constituting 51.9 per cent were women."

Section wise, polling stood at 69.53 per cent in the elections held to the town panchayats. Of the total 1,05,309 votes recorded, 54,352 votes were cast by women.

In the elections held at the panchayat unions (rural sector), 68.76 per cent of the 7,18,911 electors featured in the electoral rolls, registered their votes to the posts of ward members to the panchayat union, the district panchayat and the village panchayat, besides to the posts of village panchayat presidents.

The debut elections to the third grade municipality at Kayalpattinam witnessed 54.86 per cent polling. Of the votes polled, 61.1 per cent were from women.

He said that counting of votes would be held in 22 centres on Wednesday.

Mr. Palaniyandi said that no complaint was received pertaining to the second phase of elections held on Sunday.

"The two complaints lodged on Friday seeking re-poll in ward 2 of Tuticorin municipality, soon after the first phase was over, were rejected," he said.

Source: The Hindu

State level seminar on `Women's Rights are Human Rights' conducted at Tuticorin

A two-day University Grants Commission-sponsored State level seminar on `Women's Rights are Human Rights,' organised by the V.O. Chidambaram College, concluded here on Saturday.

Inaugurating the seminar on Friday, V. Vasanathi Devi, former chairperson, Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women, said women should be well aware of their rights in the society and fight it bravely to attain status on a par with men.

She said that despite obtaining quality education from reputed institutions, many women were still found to be submissive when it comes to the problems they encounter in their personal lives.

"It's unfortunate that even academically well qualified women are ready to give dowry, little thinking about their rights mentioned under the Dowry Prohibition Act," she said adding that dowry was a social evil that needed to be eradicated with the help of womenfolks.

She expressed surprise that modernisation taken place over the last few decades in our country never put an end to the women harassment cases, rather it increased.

"Under these circumstances, women should `wake up' and study the Domestic Violence Act and Sexual Harassment Act, which was formulated to safeguard their rights as human beings," she said.

Students from 16 colleges situated in Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts attended the seminar.

Source: The Hindu

Air Deccan says "Tuticorin-Chennai flight Successful"

The introduction of a Tuticorin-Chennai flight was successful, with an average passenger load of 90 per cent. "Tuticorin is one of the most successful stories for us," he said. An additional flight for Tuticorin could be considered if night landing facility was provided at the airport.

The objective of the airline, he said, was to "take out the exclusivity of airline flying and make it a common mode of transport."

AIADMK union secretary arrested

The sitting chairman of Thoothukudi panchayat union and AIADMK union secretary was put behind bars as he attempted on the lives of policemen, while his brother and two more men were arrested for trying to kidnap independent councillors elected for the panchayat union on Friday night here.

The DMK and the AIADMK, that won 11 seats each in the 25-member Thoothukudi panchayat union, have been straining every nerve to rope in the 3 independents elected as panchayat union members in the just concluded local body election.

Both the sides are allegedly using their money and muscle powers to the fullest to appease the independents in their favour so as to capture Thoothukudi panchayat union.

As a part of this ‘horse trading’, AIADMK union secretary, V P R Suresh, who too is the sitting chairman, was allegedly procured men with the help of his elder brother V P R Baskar from Chennai to kidnap the independents.

However, his attempt was foiled as a police party led by sub-inspector Selvaraj of Thoothukudi south police station nabbed Baskar, Lawser Amuthan and the driver of the van, which was said to have been planned to be used to whisk away the independent councillors.

Following the arrest of his brother and others, Suresh stormed the police station and demanded the immediate release of his men.

He too was said to have used abusive language against the police and hence Suresh too was arrested for preventing government servants from discharging their duty.

While in the police station, the police said that Suresh, who went for toilet at 2.30 am on Saturday, came with a broken phenol bottle in hand and attempted to stab the policemen present in the station.

However, as he failed in his attempt, he challenged the policemen getting them stripped of their job and cut his hand with the bottle himself.

Therefore, cases for attempting on the lives of policemen and on his own life were registered against him.

On Saturday morning, the four men arrested including Suresh were produced before Thoothukudi Judicial Magistrate Court-I and were put behind bars in Palayamkottai Central Prison.

However, the AIADMK side complained the hand of DMK bigwigs in the district for which they have been allegedly used the police force in their favour.

Source: NewIndPress

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Jobs in Tuticorin - Tuticorin Port Trust

Tuticorin Port Trust Invites applications from eligible candidates for the following posts.

Sl. Name of Reserved Posts Age Scale of
No. the Post for Limit pay
1 Pilot SC 1 45 yrs Rs.18700
2 Marine Engr. UR 1 45 yrs Rs.18700
3 Medical Officer OBC 2 35 yrs Rs.15100
4 Junior Steno OBC 1 25 yrs Rs.9500

Applications with full details and experience should reach the undersigned on or before 10th November 2006. If suitable SC, OBC candidates are nor available UR candidates will be considered. Age relaxation as per Rules. For qualification and other details visit Port's website www.tuticorinport.gov.in

SECRETARY I/c ,
TUTICORIN PORT TRUST,
TUTICORIN - 4.

Jobs in Tuticorin - Madura Coats

Madura coats is looking for young and dynamic Manufacturing, Engineering, Saftey and HR Professionals to be part of its management team for aggressive expansion plans. Madura Coats is the wholly owned subsidiary of Coats Ltd., UK the global market leader in sewing threads, crafts, accessories and appreal solutions, operating over 66 countries and having a turnover about US $ 2 Billion.

Headquatered in Bangalore, Madura Coats is organised into two divisions - Coats India & Global Thread supply India. Global Thread supply India is a key player in Coats Global Supply chain and has manufacturing units located at Madurai, Tuticorin and Ambasamudram. In order to meet our agressive growth plans we are now looking for highly motivated professionals to join our team in the following positions.

Executive - Production
[Code : E/GTSI/03]
Location: Tuticorin
The Ideal candidate must have:

B.Tech / D.T.T with at least 5 years of relevant experience in reputed spinning mills.
Knowledge of both Cotton and Synthetic spinning and twisting.
Experience in dealing with day-to-day shop floor issues including unionized labour.
Willingness to work in shifts.

Executive - Engineering
[Code : E/GTSI/05]
Location : Tuticorin
The candidate for this postition must possess:

B.E. / Diploma in Electrical
At least 5-7 years experience in reputed mills in Engineering Department.
Should have through knowledge of Textile machineries / Compressors / DG Sets / Pressure Vessels / Lifts / Hoists / Engineering drawing / Breakdown maintenance / Mill Civil maintenance / Electrical installation.
Independent handling of Preventive and Regular Maintenance (both Mechnanical and Electrical).
Statutory compliances and ensuring safe working conditions.

For all the positions working knowledge of Tamil and computer is essential. Salary is not a constraint for the right candidate and will match the Industry Standards.

If the challanges and the prospect of working with a global leader excites you, please forward your resume mentioning current compensation, telephone or mobile numbers within 7 days to:

The Regional HR Director, Madura Coats, 144, M.G. Road, P.B. 5145, Bangalore - 560 001

or email to careers.india@coats.com as an attachment in word format.

Jobs in Tuticorin - Opportunities for Fresh Science & Commerce Graduates

Sterlite Industries (I) Ltd, a member of Vedanta Resources plc is one of the leading producers of Copper in India with a turnover in excess of Rs. 7750 crores. To meet the business requirements of their Copper smelter at Tuticorin, Tamilnadu, they invite applications from fresh Science and Commerce graduates/post graduates as Trainees.

Eligibility

Candidates must be first class degree graduates or post graduates in Physics / Chemistry / Commerce.
Should have passed the degree examination during April/May 2006
Consistently secured first class in academics.
No history of arrears or break in academics year.
Must be computer literate.
Should possess sound health.
Not more than 23 years of age.

The Company offers an excellent remuneration package. Candidates meeting the above criteria may apply with a detailed resume with percentage of marks scored from X standard onwards and superscribing the envelope "opportunities for Fresh Science and Commerce Graduates" within a week to

Sterlite Industries (I) Ltd.

SIPCOT Industrial Complex, Madurai Bypass Road,
T.V. Puram PO, Tuticorin - 628 002

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Rigging, booth capturing in Thoothukudi municipality

Polling to ward number 2 under the Thoothukudi Municipality, reserved for Dalit women, reportedly witnessed rigging and booth capturing by the members of the ruling party.

Polling was by and large peaceful in the 1,064 booths across the municipal wards till Friday afternoon. However, later in the day, the DMK cadre began flouting norms and started entering booths in several wards.

Meanwhile, several cadres, led by a party functionary Raveendran, were said to have entered the polling booth at Tagore Memorial School booth in ward number 2, where they began dictating terms. The opposition to this by the AIADMK, MDMK and DMDK booth agents fell on deaf ears. Even the security men on duty turned a blind eye to the happenings.

Raveendran and the other DMK cadre allegedly threatened the agents of the AIADMK candidate A Veerammal and the DMDK-supported independent candidate E Kalaiselvi and forced them to leave the booth. The DMK men also prevented reporters, who arrived at the booth on being informed about the incident, while the police played a wait and watch game.

Though the reporters informed the DMK men that the Superintendent of Police, Y John Nicholson, had issued orders over phone that they should be let into the booth, they did not budge making the journalists wait for the DMK district secretary N Periyasamy, father of Minister for Animal Husbandry Geetha Jeevan, to arrive.

When Periyasamy finally arrived, it was the polling officer’s turn to play ‘factotum.’ The officer, who was summoned to the car, ran to the vehicle only to be instructed by the DMK district secretary not to allow scribes inside the booth.

Meanwhile, Raveendran, who was in an inebriated state, showered expletives on journalists and said that anything written about him in papers would only boost his image in the party.

Collector’s response: When this reporter contacted District Collector R Palaniyandi for his comments about the incident, he was quick to negate such an occurrence. He asked the reporter to call back later.

However, when contacted later, the Collector said that though some law and order problems had occurred earlier, the situation was under control.

When asked how polling could be conducted in a fair manner in the absence of booth agents of the Opposition parties, he said, “I cannot interfere in their (booth agents) freedom to leave the booths”.

About the polling officer coming out of the booth to meet the DMK district secretary, Palaniyandi said that it was unfortunate and added that he would look into the matter after the local body elections. The Collector further said that he had sent Thoothukudi Municipal Commissioner, Kanagaraj, who is also the Returning Officer for the municipality, along with the Assistant Returning Officer, municipal engineer Rajagopal to the spot, to set things right.

Source: New Ind Press

Titanium Dioxide project in Tuticorin

Tata Steel will invest Rs 2,000 crore in its titanium dioxide plant in Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts.

Source: Business - Standard

Two fatally knocked down by truck

Two persons were killed and five injured when a speeding truck knocked them down at Therespuram, police said here today.

All the victims were standing at a waiting shed when the truck hit them at around 5 p.m. yesterday. Muthiah (45) and Yonevass (35) died on the spot, they added.

The injured have been hospitalised and the driver and cleaner of the truck arrested, the police said. (Agencies)

61 per cent polling in Tuticorin district

The first phase of polling held at 1,268 booths, spread over seven panchayat unions, 13 town panchayats, one municipality and one third-grade municipality in the district, was by and large peaceful.

Of the 6,79,257 electorate in the first phase, 61 percentage exercised their franchise, official sources said.

Section wise, 59.5 per cent polling was recorded in Tuticorin municipality, 69 per cent in town panchayats, 54 per cent at the third-grade municipality of Kayalpattinam and 60 per cent in panchayat unions.

The polling gained momentum only in the afternoon. Collector R. Palaniyandi and Election Observer Jatindra Nath Swain were on rounds from 7 a.m.

At around 10 a.m., it came to the notice of the election officials that a senior DMK functionary, who is an ex-MLA, was sitting inside a booth at Polnaickenpettai near the new bus stand.

The Collector instructed the police to send him out of the booth.

At Millerpuram, police chased away autorickshaws deployed by candidates to transport voters.

On complaints from AIADMK cadres of bogus voting in Ward 7 of Tiruchendur Town Panchayat, the Collector said "the matter would be looked into."

Kerry Logistics Expanding Their Network to India

Following the expansion in Central Europe in September, Kerry Logistics (hereafter called "KL") has just acquired 51% share of Reliable Freight Forwarders Pvt Ltd (hereafter called "RFF") in India and will be renamed as "Kerry Reliable Logistics Pvt Ltd".

Established in 1996, RFF is an Indian-based freight forwarding company. On top of the head office located at Chennai, RFF has 5 branch offices in New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Tirupur and Tuticorin. Riding on its solid foundation, RFF offers value-adding supply chain management solutions and provides comprehensive logistics services in India, including international sea and air freight forwarding, local transportation with self-operated trucking fleets, inland container depots, container freight stations, shipping agency, contract and project logistics.

China and India have been identified by the global economists as the "Asia Power Houses" in the recent years. Kerry Logistics has already established a comprehensive Pan-China Network with 120 self-owned offices and over 100 cargo facilities in Mainland China. With the new venture in India, KL's Asian network is further strengthened for empowering their global/regional customers to rise to the challenges of their supply chain in Asia.

With its headquarters in Hong Kong, KL has more than 210 self-owned offices in 20 countries and a global network covering six continents. Aside from array of China distribution centres for general cargo, specialised facilities also handle bonded cargo, dangerous goods, temperature controlled and perishable goods plus an ever growing fleet of vehicles to ensure that cargo is moved safely and efficiently throughout China and Asia. Their 700 plus operating licences in China alone smoothen the way for a complex variety of freight forwarding and logistics requirements from their international clients.

KL is clearly emerging as a global logistics force. It is part of the Kuok Group, an Asian conglomerate with almost 60 years of development in China and Asia. Their substantial business interests include logistics, properties, hotels, media, shipping, air cargo carrier and insurance. Renowned brands include Shangri-La Hotels, South China Morning Post and Bangkok Post, Kerry Properties, Pacific Carriers Limited, Jerneh Insurance, Arawana and many more.
For Enquiries:

Emily Kwan
Head of Corporate Communications
Kerry Logistics
Tel: +852-2410-3600
Fax: +852-2480-5958
Email: corpcom@kerrylogistics.com

SOURCE Kerry Logistics

International News / Press Release source: PR Newswire
Copyright PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved.

DMK-led combine gains majority in Tuticorin

The DMK and its alliance partners, which constituted the Democratic Progressive Alliance, had won in 28 out of the 51 wards, gaining an absolute majority in Tuticorin Municipality.

Of them, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidates have won in 23 wards, Congress bagged four, and Communist Party of India (Marxist) won one seat.

The DMK's tally had technically gone up to 24, a day after the results were announced, as K.V.K. Sami, an Independent candidate, who won from ward 11, joined the party on Thursday. Mr Sami defeated a DMK candidate, Abraham, in the electoral battle.

In the remaining wards, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Independent candidates came out triumphant in 11 each and Bharatiya Janata Party bagged two.

For AIADMK, a major setback came in the form of defeat to its candidate, R. Henry, who was the Chairman between 1996-2001. He lost to A. Balaji of DMK by a margin of 69 votes in Ward 24.

Henry's wife, Frida Henry, who was projected in the party circles as the AIADMK nominee for the post of Chairperson, too lost the electoral battle. She was defeated by T. Annam of DMK, who scored 55 votes more.

The ward 8 and ward 32 saw the closest of the battles, as the margin between the first and the second candidates was just two votes. In ward 8, N Suresh Kumar of AIADMK defeated Selvaraj of CPI, while Eswaran (AIADMK) prevailed over Jeyasingh, an independent, in the ward 32.

S. Palani, an Independent candidate contested in ward 17, registered a dubious distinction of becoming the only candidate in the entire fray to register a `duck' (blank) in the tally of votes.

The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, which raised great expectations failed to notch up any seat.

Source: The Hindu

Avoid bursting high decibel crackers: Collector

The Collector, R. Palaniyandi, has urged the public to refrain from bursting crackers, which produce high decibels and cause pollution during Deepavali celebrations.

He told presspersons that steps have been taken to ban sale of crackers in the district, which produce 125 decibels at a distance of four metres, when it goes off.

"Anyone selling such crackers was punishable under the Environment Protection Act, 1986," he said adding that revellers should also refrain themselves from exploding any crackers producing sounds more than 125 decibels.

Dr Palaniyandi said that public should not use crackers manufactured using high quantity of barium nitrate, aluminum powder, sodium nitrate, iron powder, magnesium powder, strontium nitrate and potassium chlorate.

"Bursting of a cracker with these contents would pollute the atmosphere since it would emit high-levels of nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) into the atmosphere, which was harmful to the human beings, when inhaled," he added.

The Collector said that the celebrators should take precautionary measures while bursting crackers.

"They should preferably wear tight cotton clothes and should not use matchsticks to light the crackers," he added.

Bursting of crackers in narrow lanes and in places where a cluster of high-rise buildings were situated should be avoided. Rockets should not be used.

Eyes should be washed with water, if any SPM goes into it.

Source: The Hindu

Nine huts damaged in rain in Tuticorin

Nine huts were partially damaged in the rain that lashed district on Thursday night and in the wee hours of Friday. Of this, five huts were situated at Tiruchendur and two each in Tuticorin and Srivaikundam.

According to Disaster Management and Mitigation Department sources, the district received a total rainfall of 297.6 mm, with an average of 15.65 mm, in the last 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. on Friday.

Following is the rainfall recorded (in mm) at various stations during the period: Ettayapuram - 35; Kadalkudi - 6; Kadambur - 15; Kazhugamalai - 6.4; Kayalpattina - 22; Kayathar - 12; Keezha Arasadi - 18; Kovilpatti -13.6; Maniyachi - 5; Ottapidaram - 18; Sattankulam - 15; Soorangudi - 10; Tuticorin - 60.3; Vyppar - 12; Vedanatham - 40 and Vilathikulam - 9.3.

Wildlife Week celebrations in Tuticorin

The Wildlife Week celebrations observed by the Department of Forests came to a close in the district with a colourful valedictory ceremony here on Tuesday.

Collector R. Palaniyandi said that mankind should not forget to conserve forest cover and natural resources in the pursuit of modernisation. "Inventions made to improve lifestyle should never come at the cost of nature," he said. Stress should be laid on peaceful co-existence of man, animal and nature.

"Children should take the responsibility to spread the message of conservation of forest and its resources to wider sections of society, as forestry is capable of withstanding the fury of nature, as in the cases of tsunamis and cyclones," he added.

Dr. Palaniyandi gave away prizes to the winners of elocution and painting competitions conducted on `wildlife' for school and college students.

The Superintendent of Police, John Nicholson, and the District Forest Officer, L. Nathan, spoke.

Heavy rain in Tuticorin

Heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning lashed district on Monday night and in the wee hours of Tuesday.

Official sources said a total of 614 mm rainfall with an average of 32.31 mm was recorded during the last 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

The highest rainfall was recorded in Tuticorin, which received 123.6 mm in that period, followed by 71 mm at Kovilpatti.

The precipitation was so heavy that low-lying areas were inundated in the 12 blocks. Saltpans situated along the Tuticorin coastline were submerged.

Though the rain took a break on Tuesday morning, the municipal office premises here was flooded, which forced the authorities to pump out the water.

Traffic was slow in many segments till Tuesday afternoon, as water remained on road surface, owing to poor drainage facilities.

Since power supply was disrupted in places, soon after the downpour started on Monday night, a good chunk of residents had sleepless nights, owing to mosquito menace.

Power was eventually restored only in the morning in areas like Koramballam situated adjacent to the Collectorate.

Making the matters worse, garbage, which remained uncollected in most of the wards, owing to lack of an effective solid waste management system, was seen floated in stagnant water.

District administration sources said that there was no damage or casualty reported from any part of the district.

The weather bureau had predicted more rain for the next 48 hours, but no specific warning was issued to fishermen, so far.

Following is the amount of rainfall recorded (in mm) in various parts: Tiruchendur- 32; Kovilpatti- 71; Vilathikulam - 30; Kulasekarapattinam - 34.2; Ettayapuram - 60; Vedanatham - 14; Vyppar - 35; Kazhugamalai - 47; Tuticorin - 123.6; Kadalkudi - 47; Kadambur-20; Kayathar - 9; Keezha Arasadi- 24; Maniyachi - 26; Ottapidaram - 16; Sattankulam - 9; Srivaikundam - 6.2 and Soorangudi - 10.

Source: The Hindu

Arrangements in place for counting for 22 centres in Tuticorin

The district administration has made elaborate arrangements for the counting of votes, polled during the local body elections, on Wednesday.

Speaking to media persons, Collector R. Palaniyandi said counting would begin simultaneously in 22 centres established across the district at 8 a.m., amidst tight police security.

"Of the total counting stations, 12 were to be used for counting of votes polled in panchayat unions, seven for town panchayats and three for municipalities."

The votes polled at Tuticorin municipality would be counted at Kamaraj College, Tuticorin, while the votes polled at Kovilpatti municipality and at the third grade municipality at Kayalpattinam counted at Ayiravysia Higher Secondary School, Kovilpatti, and St Thomas HSS, Veerapandiapattinam, respectively.

Mr. Palaniyandi said the votes polled at 12 panchayat unions would be counted at centres at Tuticorin, Seiduganallur, Sawyerpuram, Nazareth, Tiruchendur, Pandara Chettivilai, Sattankulam, Kovilpatti, Perilovanpatti and Pudur. Following are the centres identified for counting of votes in the town panchayats, with the names of town panchayats covered under them given in brackets: St Thomas HSS, Veerapandiapattinam (Tiruchendur, Arumuganeri, Authoor and Kanam); S U Middle School, Prakashpuram (Nazareth, Sattankulam and Udangudi); Pope College, Sawyerpuram (Sawyerpuram, Eral, Srivaikundam and Perungulam); Hindu HSS, Alwarthirunageri (Alwarthirunageri and Thenthirupathi); Bharatiar Centenary Memorial Government Girl's HSS, Ettayapuram (Ettayapuram, Vilathikulam and Pudur); Government HSS, Kazhugamalai ( Kazhugamalai); and Veerapandia Kattabomman HSS, Kayathar (Kayathar).

The Collector said that a total of 3,267 personnel were appointed for the counting process and 374 police personnel would be used to ensure protection to the 22 counting centres.

Besides, a team of senior officials was entrusted to monitor the counting in all the 12 blocks.

While the District Revenue Officer would oversee the counting to be held at centres falling under Pudur and Vilathikulam blocks, Project Officer of Mahilar Thittam was assigned to monitor counting at Kovilpatti and Kayathar blocks.

The Project Officer of DRDA would be the supervisor for Tuticorin, Ottapidaram and Karungulam blocks and Joint Registrar of Co-operative Societies would cover Sattankulam and Udangudi blocks.

The Collector himself would supervise the counting at the centres falling under Tiruchendur, Srivaikundam and Alwarthirunageri blocks.

Source: The Hindu

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Smuggling activities on the wane in Tuticorin and neighbouring regions

Smuggling activities have been on the decline in Tamil Nadu over the past decade or so following a cut in the import duty on gold and electronic goods in the post-liberalisation era.

According to Central Excise and Customs Department officials, smuggling activities were now largely confined to narcotic substances and illegal dealings in gold or electronic goods were no longer lucrative.

“If at all anyone tries to smuggle valuable commodities like gold, they will be doing it at their own risk because the profit that they get for the smuggled goods is not worth the risk they take. The smuggling activities will be near zero by 2008-2009, when India also reduces its import duty to make it on a par with the ASEAN import duty, to enable free trade of foreign-origin products in the country,” a senior official from the Anti-Smuggling squad of Central Excise and Customs told this website’s newspaper.

According to him, clauses for two types of import restrictions, namely the Trade Restriction and Tariff Restriction, would be eased further and many products, which at present were in the banned or restricted import list, would be allowed for free import and tariff restriction slabs, as in the case of import of foreign cars.

“In this scenario, the smugglers will have no other option than to look for other means of earning money. Narcotics is the only product which still tops the priority list of smugglers. However, Tamil Nadu is not yet the favourable transit route of narcotics smugglers when compared to other metros like Mumbai and Kolkatta, the official said.

“Tamil Nadu has been a transit point for heroin smuggling to Sri Lanka. Only a negligible quantity of heroin has been smuggled to the State for domestic consumption. This, actually, cannot be called smuggling as the contraband has been largely brought for the individual consumption. But I am not saying that there is no commercial selling of heroin here, but it is very minimal,” he added.

The Anti-Smuggling Squad of the Central Excise and Customs, along with the Narcotics Control Bureau and Coast Guard, had been maintaining vigil on major focus areas like Tuticorin, Ramanathapuram and Rameshwaram, apart from city airports to curtail narcotics smuggling to Sri Lanka.

When pointed out that smuggling of used cars had been taking place despite restrictions, the official said, in Tamil Nadu they had not booked many cases relating to undeclared import of used foreign cars.

“There are a few people who import used cars after paying the high customs duty and sell them here for a better margin. The business involved in this is very simple. Used cars are available very cheap, many times for less than Rs. one lakh in foreign countries. Even if they pay the high import duty they can sell it for a better price here. The demand for such cars is also high in the market because of our craze on foreign cars”, the official said.

Source: NewIndPress

Polling stations ready to receive electorate

ENSURING SAFETY: The Collector, R. Palaniyandi, inspecting the locker room at the Government Polytechnic in Tuticorin on Saturday

The district administration has made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of the second phase of local body elections, as five panchayat unions, one municipality and five town panchayats go to polls in the district on Sunday.

A total of 4,26,194 electors will exercise their franchise in the second phase. Of them, 3,34,937 are in panchayat unions, 49,579 are in Kovilpatti municipality, and 41,678 are in town panchayats.

Five panchayat unions that go to polls are Kayathar, Kovilpatti, Vilathikulam, Pudur and Ottapidaram. The town panchayats are Ettayapuram, Kazhugamalai, Kayathar, V Pudur and Vilathikulam.

Polling in the only other town panchayat, Kadambur, which was slated in the second phase will not take place, since all the candidates have been declared elected unopposed.

The Collector, R. Palaniyandi, said that 894 polling stations were established for the polls on Sunday, of which 82 were identified as `sensitive'. "We had deployed additional police strength in and around these booths," he added.

Of the total sensitive booths, 18 fall under Kovilpatti municipal limits, 19 under Ottapidaram panchayat union, 12 under Kayathar union, six each under Kovilpatti and Pudur unions, seven under Vilathikulam panchayat union and 14 under various town panchayat limits.

He said 63 zonal teams were formed for the second phase of polls, to deliver the polling materials to the respective polling stations from the panchayat union, municipal and town panchayat headquarters, before the polling commences at 7 a.m. on Sunday.

On Saturday morning, Dr. Palaniyandi inspected a few counting centres to check if adequate security measures were provided at the locker rooms where ballot boxes used in the first phase were stored.

Rigging, booth capturing in Thoothukudi municipality

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Tuticorin Port Trust (TPT) Chairman NK Raghupathy lost in the contest JNPT deputy chairman to Maya Sinha

Maya Sinha, a 1981 batch Indian Revenue Service officer, is likely to take over as deputy chairperson of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT).

Tuticorin Port Trust (TPT) Chairman NK Raghupathy has emerged as a strong contender for the post of chairman of the port trust.

Sources from the ministry of shipping said Sinha, who currently handles the finance portfolio of the Khadi and Village Industries Centre (KVIC) with specialisation in income tax, is expected to take charge by the middle of next week.

R Ravikumar, JNPT secretary, had the additional charge of deputy chairman of JNPT following the transfer of Neera Saggi to SEEPZ.

However, the government has not yet issued an order for appointment of a chairman for the port trust. Ravi B Budhiraja retired as chairman in May.

At present, Mumbai Port Trust Chairperson Rani Jadhav holds the additional charge of chairman of JNPT.

Shipping Secretary AK Mohapatra said: “The government is aware that JNPT’s top post is lying vacant. It will shortly appoint a chairman for the port.”

Industry sources said current TPT Chairman and Sethusamudram Corporation Chairman and Managing Director NK Raghupathy is top on the list of contenders for the chairman’s post.

“BrihanMumbai Mahanagarpalika Corporation Municipal Commissioner Johny Joseph was the first choice earlier. But Maharashtra was reluctant to relieve Joseph in the wake of incessant rains followed by floods in Mumbai,” they said.

The source that several Maharashtra cadre IAS officers are also in the race for JNPT’s top post.

Also, the post of chief manager (finance) has been lying vacant for 15 months.

Source: Business Stnadard

Local body elections in Tuticorin

10,343 candidates in fray in Tuticorin district; 992 declared elected unopposed

The stage is all set for a keen contest in the local body elections in the district to be held on October 13 and October 15.

A total of 10,343 candidates are in the fray for the posts of 2,985 village panchayat ward members, 408 village panchayat presidents, 186 panchayat union ward members, 18 district panchayat ward members, 294 town panchayat ward members and 105 municipal councillors.

Of them, 992 candidates have been declared elected unopposed. They include 42 village panchayat presidents, 908 village panchayat ward members and 42 town panchayat ward members.

Among the remaining 9,351 candidates in the contest, 1,402 are vying for the post of village panchayat presidents, 5,395 for village panchayat ward members 833 for panchayat union ward members, 57 for district panchayat ward members, 1,059 for town panchayat ward members and 605 candidates for the post of municipal councillors.

Blockwise, of the 1,402 candidates contesting the post of village panchayat presidents, to be held on a non-party basis, the maximum number of candidates (231) are competing in the Ottapidaram block for a total of 61 posts.

It is followed by 141 candidates in Tuticorin block for 25 posts, 138 in Kovilpatti for 38 posts, 120 in Kayathar for 45 posts and 119 in Vilathikulam for 51 posts.

The minimum number of candidates is in Tiruchendur block, where contest is for 58 posts of village panchayat presidents.

In the urban local body elections, 1,664 candidates are in the contest for elections to the posts of ward members in 19 town panchayats and councillors to Tuticorin and Kovilpatti municipalities and the third grade municipality of Kayalpattinam. Of them, 272 candidates are locking horns for 51 seats in Tuticorin municipality, 229 candidates for 36 seats in Kovilpatti municipality, 104 for the Kayalpattinam third grade municipality and the rest in town panchayats.

Friday, October 13, 2006

Chikungunya under control in Tuticorin

Collector R. Palaniyandi said that chikungunya was under control in the district and there was no death caused so far, owing to the disease.

"Similarly, there were no suspected dengue cases reported so far," he told media persons after reviewing the health scenario in the district at an emergency meeting of senior health department officials here on Monday.

He said that the administration had decided to strengthen information, education and communication activities to stop the breeding of Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which spreads chikungunya as well as dengue.

"We had sought the assistance of school students to intensify the IEC project," he added. The students would be taught on the methods to reduce the breeding sources of Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which uses pure water to lay eggs. The source reduction techniques included removal of stagnant water from tyres, plastic cups and any other vessels, which were left uncovered.

Mr. Palaniyandi said the trained students would, in turn, teach the source reduction methods to people in their household as well as neighbourhood.

The Collector said that special fever clinics were set up in all the 47 Primary Health Centres to treat people down with high viral fever, which was one of the symptoms of chikungunya.

Deputy Directors of Health Aliyar Liaquat Ali and Selva Kumari, District Entomologist C. Manthram, Joint Director of Medical Services Appan Raj and Dean of Tuticorin Medical College R. Sarawathy attended the meeting.

Election arrangements reviewed

Collector R. Palaniyandi and Election Observer Jatindra Nath Swain reviewed the poll preparedness in the district here on Wednesday.

Mr. Palaniyandi oversaw the preparations under way at the counting centre at Government Polytechnic here. He also checked security and infrastructure arrangements.

Similarly, a municipal team headed by Municipal Commissioner K. Kanagraj and Engineer S.A. Rajagopal checked the preparations at the counting centre at Kamaraj College on Tuticorin-Tiruchendur road.

Mr. Palaniyandi said a total of 22 counting centres were established.

"Of them, 12 were in panchayat union limits, seven in town panchayat limits and three in municipal limits," he said.

On the arrangements made by the administration for the polling dates, he said video cameras would be placed in all the 252 polling stations, which were identified as "sensitive," besides putting additional police strength around them.

"The Returning Officers would ensure that the ballot papers were stitched into bundles of fifty, with consecutive serial numbers, and the serial numbers on each ballot paper as well as on its counterfoil were identical, before being taken to the polling stations from the lockers," he said.

Source: The Hindu

Plea to promote cultivation of softwood

Match manufacturers have urged the State Government to promote cultivation of softwood trees and increase match wax production to help the match industry tide over the shortage of raw materials.

Speaking to The Hindu , J. Devadoss, joint secretary, South India Match Manufacturers Association, said the cultivation of matti trees, which yielded the most suitable softwood for making matchsticks, dwindled in Kerala over the last few years, sparking a raw material shortage.

The area planted with matti trees had come down after more farmers started growing rubber and teak, which fetched them more.

"The match industry in Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Virudhunagar districts, which produces 95 per cent of the match boxes in the State, is dependent on matti," he said.

The second quality matti tree (`B' matti) was grown at Pollachi, Erode, Karur, Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri, but it was not adequate to meet the requirements.

Another softwood tree, `Poplar' , which could produce high quality matchsticks, was available in plenty in the northern States, but transport charges were prohibitive, he said.

"While a kilogram of matti costs Rs.12-Rs.15, the same quantity of Poplar could be fetched only at Rs. 32," manufacturers said, urging the Government to promote cultivation of the matti varieties in the Tamarabarani, Vaigai and Cauvery basins.

Match wax, the second important ingredient, was not produced in required quantity by the Chennai Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Davadoss said.

"The State Government should persuade the Centre to enhance the production of match wax at the CPC to help the match industry, which export 125 containers of match box, worth Rs. nine lakhs, through the Tuticorin port every month," he said.

Source: The Hindu

Efforts on to ensure peace during elections in Tuticorin

The police carried out a flag march in Tuticorin and nearby area on Tuesday to instil confidence among the electors that they could exercise their franchise without any fear in the oncoming local body elections.

Led by Superintendent of Police John Nicholson, 546 contingent comprising two Additional Superintendents of Police, six Deputy Superintendents of Police, 21 Inspectors, 63 Sub-Inspectors, and 454 constables marched from the south police station to Anna Nagar, after passing through 32 transit points.

Collector R. Palaniyandi flagged off the march.

Later speaking to media persons, Mr. Nicholson said a total of 1,500 police personnel would be deployed in the district on the polling dates to ensure peace.

Besides, 1,173 `Special Police Officers' would be inducted into service to assist the police.

"The team of SPOs constituted of 514 ex-servicemen, 35 Fire and Rescue Services Department officials, 10 Forest Department staff, 550 NSS volunteers and 64 retired police personnel," the SP said.

He said that 79 persons were taken into preventive custody and two detained under the Goondas Act.

Status of works on State highways reviewed

K Allaudin, Secretary, Highways Department, State Government, evaluated the status of ongoing development works on the State highways passing through the district at a meeting of senior officials of the department here on Saturday. The Collector, R. Palaniyandi, was also present in the meeting.

Briefing Mr. Allaudin, V Yesu Dhas, Divisional Engineer, Tamil Nadu Road Sector Project, explained the progress regarding the upgradation works under way on the 117.9 km Tuticorin-Rameswaram highway on an outlay of Rs.132.91 crore, which was expected to be completed before the end of 2008.

Of the total 117.9 km, the upgradation of Ramanathapuram-Edampadal sector, totalling 29.1 km, would be completed before June 15, 2007, whereas the works on Sayalkudi-Kulathur sector (38.2 km) would be completed before February 15, 2008.

According to the schedule, upgradation of Kulathur-Tuticorin sector (21.5 km) would be over before April 15,2008.

The works on Edampadal-Sayalkudi (29.1 km), which would be the last sector expected to be completed before December 15, 2008.

As part of the upgradation, 124 small bridges/culverts situated between Tuticorin and Rameswaram would be reconstructed. Of them, 82 would be located in Ramanathapuram district and the remaining in Tuticorin district.

Mr. Dhas updated Mr. Allaudin on the pre-construction activities on the sector such as shifting of electricity poles and water distribution lines, land acquisition and resettlement of houses, which were currently in progress.

Mr. Allaudin checked whether environmental and social issues along the upgradation region were addressed as per the Environmental and Resettlement Management Plan prepared by the Highways Department.

He also studied the progress of other highway development works, including the widening of Tuticorin-Tiruchendur State highway and the construction of new bridges at three different places on an outlay of Rs.11.78 crore.

Of the total project cost (Rs.11.78 crores) envisaged for the construction of new bridges, 95 per cent was procured as loans from the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund set up by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Later, Mr. Allaudin attended a board meeting of Tuticorin Port Trust.

Source: The Hindu

Tickets for special trains sold out

Tickets for special trains, to be operated by Southern Railway to clear the rush during Deepawali and Ramzan, sold out within an hour after the counters opened.

Southern Railway has planned to run special trains between Chennai and Tuticorin, includes two services to Tuticorin from Chennai between October 18 and 24.

The booking, which began 8 a.m. was over by 9 a.m. Each train has a huge wait-list.Many passengers who arrived an hour later were disappointed, as they could get only waitlisted tickets. They suspected that travel agents would have booked the tickets with the alleged connivance of counter staff to sell them at a premium on the date of departure. However, railway officials said the agents were given the same treatment as normal passengers.

Special trains to Tuticorin for Deepavali

The Southern Railway will run special trains between Chennai and Tuticorin to clear extra rush of passengers in connection with Deepavali/Ramzan festivals.

Chennai Egmore - Tuticorin: Train no. 0603 will leave Egmore at 20.00 hours on October 20 and reach Tuticorin at 08.00 hours the next day. In the return direction train no. 0622 will leave Tuticorin at 21.00 hours on October 24 and arrive at Egmore at 09.00 hours the next day; Train no. 0604 will leave Tuticorin at 21.30 hours on October 22 and arrive Egmore at 09.30 hours the next day. In the return direction train no. 0621 will leave Egmore at 17.00 hours on October 23 and reach Tuticorin at 05.30 hours the next day.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Vedanta's Sterlite Tuticorin copper smelter to increase capacity to 400,000 tpa

Vedanta Resources PLC said production volumes for aluminium, zinc and copper - India during the six months to Sept 30 2006 were higher than the same period a year earlier due to the progressive commissioning of the new Korba II smelter and the ramp up of the new Tuticorin and Chanderiya smelters in the second half of the last financial year.

The de-bottlenecking project at the Tuticorin copper smelter to enhance capacity to 400,000 tpa is progressing well and will be completed by December 2006, the group said.

Vedanta said its Phase II expansion projects are progressing on schedule with orders for critical equipment and packages placed. The alumina refinery at Lanjigarh is in the final run-up for commissioning.

The group also said the inventory build up at the end of the last quarter has been largely sold down during the current quarter.

Source: Life Style Extra, London

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

BSNL holds customer meet in Tuticorin

The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited conducted a customer meet here on Thursday, to commemorate the BSNL Week celebrations in the district.

N.R. Natarajan, General Manager, BSNL, explained the recently announced tariff plans to customers. He said the monthly rent of `Sulabh' plan for landline customers was reduced to Rs.75 a month. Under `Excel Ananth' pre-paid scheme, customers could make calls to any two BSNL numbers at the rate of 50 paise a minute. Out of these numbers, one should be a landline number. Corporate managers of various private companies were present.

Election materials despatched to Tuticorin

Election materials being kept at the Collectorate for the oncoming local body elections were dispatched to the 12 panchayat union headquarters on Friday.

Revenue staff checked the quality and number of poll materials such as metal seals, voting compartments, paper seals and canvas bags. The Collector, R. Palaniyandi, said that required quantity of materials from these consignments would be sent to the respective polling stations on October 12 for the first phase of polling and on October 14 for the second phase.

Meanwhile, the administration has completed the distribution of 17,75,600 ballot papers — sent by the State Election Commission for elections to the post of village panchayat presidents and village panchayat ward members — to the block headquarters. These ballot papers, which were sent with symbols printed on it, were stored at the Panchayat Union office at Pudukottai near here till Thursday.

Printing of ballot papers for elections to the post of panchayat union ward members, district panchayat ward members and municipal councillors were under way.

Hectic campaign in Tuticorin

With just a few days left for the first phase of local body elections, campaigning has reached its crescendo in the district.

The candidates in the fray, belonging to various political parties as well as independents, were resorting to door-to-door campaigns rather than holding large public meetings to impress the 11, 08,210 electors.

According to experts, personal level interactions with the electors could make a gigantic difference between victory and defeat in the civic polls.

Though it would be mostly a ding-dong battle on the cards between the candidates belonging to the constituents of Democratic Progressive Alliance against the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam combine, the presence of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) was certain to make the tussle more interesting.

The decision of DMDK to field candidates in 80 per cent of the total 603 seats available in the elections to the post of panchayat union ward members, district panchayat ward members, town panchayat ward members and municipal councillors, could throw a challenge to the major alliances.For the AIADMK-led Democratic People's Alliance and the DMK-led democratic Progressive Alliance, dissidents who are contesting as independents too could be a headache, besides the opposition from DMDK candidates.

Meanwhile, rumours were doing rounds in the district about the differences between the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Congress, which could prove costly for the DPA.

However, K Kangaraj, District Secretary, CPI (M), denied any differences between the cadres of these two parties.

Experts feel that the winners would be the ones who would succeed in convincing the electors on how they are going to overcome the lacunae on the infrastructure front and improve basic amenities such as sanitation and drinking water supply.

Source: The Hindu

More tax exemptions to herbal product industry

At a time when the export of senna and herbals products from the Tuticorin region faces a stiff global competition in terms of price and quality, exporters here feel that the industry should be given more tax exemptions to help them augment exports multifold.

According to industry sources, the Tuticorin region comprising Tuticorin and near-by districts currently export about Rs.120 crore worth of senna and other herbal products per annum.

Raja Sankaralingam, treasurer of Tuticorin Senna Exporters' Association (TSEA) and former Secretary-General of All India Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says, "The Government should exempt the all type of services availed in the course of export and manufacturing of herbal commodities, from the purview of service tax."

Presently, the exporters have to pay service tax on various inputs, which were used in the manufacturing and export marketing chains.

It included levy of service tax on fumigation service, inspection service, forwarding fee, terminal handling charge, lorry hire, and courier charges.

"The service tax imposed on these input services increases the cost of exportable items and makes the herbal products from the region less competitive and unattractive in the international arena," Mr Sankaralingam says.

Moreover, the exporters feel that sales tax exemption given to senna leaves and pods under the Tamil Nadu Sales Tax Act should be extended to senna

stems, senna powder and other plant parts of senna too, considering the fact that large number of farmers in the region solely depend on senna cultivation.

On the quality front, the TSEA wants the Shellac and Forests Products Export Promotion Council under the Union Ministry of Commerce to set up a sophisticated laboratory in Tuticorin.

Owing to lack of testing facilities, the exporters in the belt are now forced to test their produce at labs situated as far as in Chennai, Kochi and Bangalore, which was both time consuming and expensive.

Source: The Hindu

Public hearing on nuclear project expansion postponed

The public hearing by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) at Tirunelveli District Collectorate on Friday on the proposed expansion of Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project was postponed following a strong protest from people, mostly fishermen and farmers from Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts.

Terming the public hearing as a secret hearing, environmentalists and activists, who attended the hearing, charged the TNPCB with wantonly giving advertisement about the hearing a month ago in ‘Economic Times’, the readership of which in the three districts is very negligent, and the Tirunelveli edition of a vernacular press.

‘This is a blatant violation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification 1994, according to which, a public hearing is to be conducted for any project with its total project outlay crossing Rs 50 crore, be notified in all vernacular dailies so as to let people in the vicinity of the project site, register their opinions if any,’ said the State committee member of Coastal Action Network (CAN) Jeeva.

The next objection was raised from the farmers in Vilavankode and Kalkulam taluks of Kanyakumari district and some parts of Radhapuram taluk in Tirunelveli district, located adjacent to Kanyakumari district, who depend on water from Pechiparai Dam for cultivation.

Former Killiyoor MLA Kumaradoss who was present on the occasion, said 11.27 million cubic metre water (30,891 cubic metre a day) was needed to meet the annual water demand (for domestic services, fire water make-up and chemical treatment) of the proposed expansion project. Drawing such huge amount of water from Pechiparai Dam could certainly affect the livelihood of the farmers, he added.

Source: NewInd Press

Govt expects pvt investment of Rs 34,000 cr in port sector

Government expects the private sector to chip in Rs 34,000 crore of the total Rs 55,800 crore required by the country's port sector, through the public- private partnership route.

"We expect private sector investment to the tune of Rs 34,000 crore in the port sector," Shipping Ministry Secretary A K Mohapatra told a conference on infrastructure here.

Of the total requirement, he said Rs 32,564 crore would be required for 76 projects for berth construction, Rs 6,034 crore for 25 channel deepening projects, Rs 2,633 crore for equipment, Rs 5,956 crore for 45 connectivity projects and the remaining Rs 8,347 crore for other 78 projects.

Elaborating on the projects, he said nine projects to connect each major port with a four-lane road is being undertaken at an expense of Rs 1,859 crore.

"The project entails almost 299.42 km of road to be built in the next 1-3 years," he said.

All the major ports would also be connected by a double line rail. Eight projects entailing an investment of Rs 2,118 crore have been identified by the Ministry.

The Secretary informed that dredging will also be undertaken at JNPT, Paradip, Mumbai, Ennore, Tuticorin, and Vishakapatnam ports.

Mohapatra said there is immense potential for greenfield ports, captive facilities, besides expansion and upgradation of existing facilities.

He also said that the government is planning an Indian Maritime University and two international size shipyards.

"Investment in in-land water transport infrastructure has also been lined up," he added.

Source: Zee News

Biosphere work takes off after a lull

After a lull since its inception, the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust (GMBRT), a statutory body set up by the Government of Tamil Nadu with the support of Global Environment Fund to preserve the ecology of Gulf of Mannar, has started implementing various projects in the coastal villages of Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin districts.

The extent of GMBRT is 10,500 sq.km. with the core area covering 560 km.

It has 3,600 species of fauna and flora.

Out of the total project cost of Rs.140 crore, Global Environment Fund is funding around Rs.40 crore.

Though the office of the Trust started functioning three years ago, implementation of the project made little progress because of administrative and other problems.

Nearly 50 per cent of officials and field staff deputed from various departments showed little interest to take up their new assignments citing inadequate facilities in Ramanathapuram.

Moreover, the targeted beneficiaries of the project also felt that the project could pose a possible threat to their traditional livelihood.

After a series of confidence-building measures among the fisherfolk and solving administrative problems to a certain extent, the GOMBRT has started various micro-financing projects aimed at giving alternative employment.

"We have cleared a lot of obstacles in implementing the project. A sum of Rs.40 lakh has been given to various Village Marine Conservation Councils to start alternative livelihood programmes. A sum of Rs.4.5 crore will be spent this financial year," Mr. Melkani, Director, GOMBRT, said.

Source: The Hindu

SEZ in Tuticorin Port Land

Tamil Nadu perceives Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as centres to provide employment to skilled and unskilled labour force by utilising uncultivated fallow land. For farmers and land-owners, who are dependent upon rains and often suffer from negative returns, SEZs provide an exciting option for exit.

Irrespective of what is happening in other states, the SEZ development process in Tamil Nadu is going on smoothly. Acquisition of land by the state government or purchase of land by developers has not become a major issue in the state.

One of the reasons for this peaceful development is that most of the SEZs proposed in the state are industry-specific and they do not require land in excess of 330-400 acres. Often the land requirement is much less. This is in contrast to the big SEZs being set up in states like Maharashtra or Haryana.

In Tamil Nadu, the land is being made available to the SEZ promoters through multiple channels.

The principal source of land in Tamil Nadu is the State Industries Promotion Council of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) which has already acquired land, mostly ‘low biological potential land’ and dry stretches, to be leased out to industries in the periphery of Chennai and other cities and towns. All the major industries like Sterlite in Tuticorin, Hyundai at Irungattukottai, St.Gobain, Nokia, Flextronics, Motorola etc at Sriperumbudur, are being built on SIPCOT land. Some of them like Nokia are developing SEZs on the land allotted to them.

Land, previously owned by large corporate houses like Standard Motors is also being made available to the SEZs. Tuticorin and Ennore ports have proposed SEZs in their lands. Nanguneri in the south, is the large multi-product SEZ, mostly on government-owned fallow land.

In all these cases owners willingly sell their lands because agriculture in most parts of the districts close to Chennai and other cities has been a loss-making proposition and many farmers had left their land fallow for many years.

A good price and a large sum of money at one go was a great attraction for them and they readily sold the land to government agencies or corporate houses or individuals. Market dynamics play the pivotal role in getting land for non-farm activities in Tamil Nadu, says Ramesh Nair from Jones Lang Laselle.

Real estate market analysts like Rajesh Babu of RECS group says that there could be farmers resistance only if somebody ventured to acquire land in the Cauvery delta region or fertile regions in the Madurai or Kanyakumari districts.

This is most unlikely in the near future.

Source: The Financial Express

Chennai - Thoothukudi Electric traction plan

The Southern Railway has drafted a Rs 2000 crore proposal for electrifying and laying double track from Chennai to Thoothukudi.

Friday, October 06, 2006

Child workers rescued from shops during joint raids in Tuticorin

The Tuticorin district focus greatly on the abolishment of the Child labour and conducts sevral raid throughout the city as well as the other places in the district to eradicate child labour.

Two child labourers were rescued here on Thursday during joint raids conducted by the officials of the National Child Labour Project and the Labour Department.

M. Nallaperumal, project director, NCLP, said that Sakthivel (13), son of Isakkimuthu, was rescued from a footwear shop situated at V.O.C. Market.

Balavinayagam (13), son of Madasamy, was found to have been employed at a fancy store.

Both the child workers will be enrolled in school soon, Mr. Nallaperumal said.

Tuticorin freight handling complex awarded, achieved net revenue of Rs. 323 crore

Hemant Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager, Southern Railway (Madurai division), said that the division hoped to achieve net revenue of Rs. 323 crore this financial year against Rs. 264.46 crore realised during the previous year.

Of the Rs. 179.40 crore achieved till September 30, Rs. 83.15 crore was generated through passenger movement and the rest from cargo loading, he told reporters here on Wednesday.

On cargo handling, the division has set a target of 25 lakh tonnes for the fiscal against 19.7 lakh tonnes loaded during the previous financial year.

This fiscal, till August 31, a total of 10.06 lakh tonnes of cargo was loaded, surpassing Rs. 10.05 lakh tonnes achieved during the corresponding period last fiscal.

Of the 10.06 lakh tonnes of cargo handled, 85 percent was contributed by the `Tuticorin freight handling complex' comprising Meelavittan, SPIC siding and Tuticorin Harbour stations.

An increase of 0.01 lakh tonnes in the period could be attributed to higher imports of wheat, coal and fertilizer through Tuticorin port, as well as larger quantity of gypsum and salt movement from Meelavittan station.

Payload of wagons stood at 63 tonnes.

By utilising the infrastructure in a better way, the wagon turnaround time in the division would be reduced from 1.7 days clocked in the last fiscal, and the speed of trains increased from 28 km per hour to 30 km or 477 km for an engine a day to 500 km.

Mr. Kumar gave away prizes to the staff of `Tuticorin freight handling complex' in recognition of their contribution in increasing the cargo load.

I. Jayakumar, Senior Divisional Operations Manager, and Robert Rajasekaran, Divisional Engineer, was present.

Source The Hindu

TNEB to increase production by 3,000 MW

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board's generating capacity is set to go up by at least 3,000 megawatt (MW) in the next five years with three additional units for Ennore and Tuticorin thermal power stations getting approval.

The board is carrying out spadework for projects at the Mettur and North Chennai thermal power plants and in the Kundah group of hydel plants.

For implementing all the expansion projects, an investment of Rs. 12,000 crore will be made, considering that the average cost of one MW is Rs. 4 crore.

While Tuticorin will have two more units of 500 MW each, Ennore, Mettur and North Chennai will get one additional unit of the same capacity. At Kundah, there will be four units of 125 MW. These projects will be in addition to the TNEB's participation in a few joint venture schemes.

At present, the TNEB's plants — hydro, coal-fired and gas-based — have the total capacity of generating 5,550 MW. Besides, the State gets power from the private sector, stations run under the Central sector and other sources, accounting for around 4,530 MW. Apart from them, the total capacity of windmills, biomass and solar plants and co-generation units is about 3,365 MW.

In the case of the projects in Ennore and Tuticorin, the board will initiate the process of selecting consultants soon, sources say.

They will prepare detailed project reports (DPRs) and provide specifications of the proposed plants. Studies on environment impact assessment and environment management plan will be carried out. After obtaining statutory clearances, global bids will be floated.

Source: The Hindu

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Madurai-Chennai double decker trains sought

The Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the Southern Railways to introduce double decker train services between Madurai and Chennai, similar to those introduced by Western Railway in Pune-Mumbai and Surat-Mumbai sections.

The demand was made in a memorandum submitted to the Southern Railway General Manager Thomas Varghese during his recent visit to the city.

According to a press release from the chamber, the introduction of the double decker facility will reduce the prevailing traffic congestion and demand in the sector.

The chamber also appealed for the early completion of the reconnaissance engineering-cum-traffic survey of Madurai-Kottayam sector and the subsequent implementation of the project, which would promote trade and also provide a link between Tuticorin and Cochin harbours.

Another demand put forward by the chamber was the establishment of computer reservation centre on the eastern side of Madurai at Teppakulam to cater to the needs of passengers from that side.

The sprucing up of East Madurai Railway Station with all basic amenities against the backdrop of the resumption of train services in Madurai-Manamadurai section and expected service resumption in Madurai-Rameswaram sector was also pointed out during the parley.

MADITSSIA DEMAND: The Madurai District Tiny & Small Scale Industries Association (MADITSSIA) in its memorandum submitted to the general manager during the same meeting, requested for one more day train in Madurai-Bangalore route and the introduction of a new train between Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.

Apart from that, MADITSSIA demanded the introduction of a direct train between Madurai and Tirupathi, extension of services of Tenkasi-Chennai train on a daily basis, extension of Bodinaickanur line up to Kottayam for the benefit of Sabarimala pilgrims and laying of new track between Kanyakumari and Chengalpet.

Source: New Ind Press

Meet discusses election strategies held at Tuticorin

To ensure smooth electioneering and free and fair elections, an all-party meeting was conducted at the Collectorate here on Tuesday with Collector R. Palaniyandi in the chair.

The Collector appealed to the representatives of recognised political parties to strictly follow the guidelines of State Election Commission during the poll and on the days of polling.

He said the functionaries and leaders of parties should desist from personal criticism against candidates, using places of worship for campaigning and bribing voters, to ensure smooth polls.

Superintendent of Police John Nicholson and District Revenue Officer P. Anbarasu participated.

District deputy secretary of Communist Party of India M. Pothiyadiyaan, district executive committee member of Communist Party of India (Marxist) K. Arjunan, district literary wing secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam A. Natarajan, town secretary of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam M. Jayapandian and State literary wing deputy secretary of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Maharajan represented their parties.

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