Tag: Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu: 9 Dead, Many Injured As Bus Carrying 55 Tourists Falls Into Gorge in Coonoor

The bus was travelling from Ooty to Mettupalayam. (Image: News18)

At least nine people died and several were injured after a tourist bus carrying 55 passengers fell into a gorge near Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor on Saturday evening. The bus was travelling from Ooty to Mettupalayam when the incident took place.

DIG Coimbatore Zone Saravana Sundar earlier said, “Around eight people died, while a few were seriously injured. Further investigation is underway”.

The police said that among the deceased were four women and a minor boy. The victims of the accident were from Kadayam in Tenkasi district and were on their way home.

The bus fell into the gorge when the driver of the vehicle lost control. The locals, the members of the police department and fire and rescue services rushed to the aid of the victims and rescued the injured.

As the bus toppled due to the impact of the accident, the rescue workers were seen using ropes to get down to the bus and reach out to the passengers.

All those injured have been taken to the Coonoor government hospital for treatment and a rescue operation is currently underway.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed anguish over the deaths and announced cash relief to the kin of the deceased. Expressing concern over the accident, he also expressed his sympathies with the kin of the victims.

A relief of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs one lakh to those under treatment with grievous injuries was announced by the CM.

In a statement, he said Rs 50,000 would be provided to those who had suffered minor injuries. He directed special treatment for the injured.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/tamil-nadu-35-injured-as-tourist-bus-carrying-55-passengers-falls-into-gorge-near-coonoor-watch-8598885.html

Cauvery Dispute: Protests Intensify in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, All About Water Sharing & Legal Battles

Rain and water deficit have forced Karnataka to say it will not be able to release water from the Cauvery river to Tamil Nadu. (Image: AFP/File)

Protests over the Cauvery water dispute intensified in Tamil Nadu on Sunday, with farmers in Trichy demanding the release of river water into their state while pro-Kannada outfits as well as farmers in Karnataka’s Mandya also continued to agitate.

The DMK said Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin is doing everything possible to handle the issue diplomatically even though the Karnataka government’s argument is that it does not have enough water to send to its neighbouring state.

“…Though their (Karnataka) argument is that there is a lack of water in Cauvery, at the same time Tamil Nadu is suffering as the delta farmers are totally dependent on agriculture… Tamil Nadu government is trying through legal process and, in all possible manner, seeking the support of the union government and jal shakti minister as well as coordinating through all possible sources to settle this issue amicably… our CM is very diplomatically handling this issue and we are hopeful that Tamil Nadu will get its due,” said DMK MP Tiruchi Siva.

Here is all you need to know about the latest developments:

  1. The protests have intensified in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka as farmers in both states continued their agitation. Pro-Kannada outfits are also protesting over the Cauvery water sharing dispute alongside farmers. In fact, in Karnataka, farmers and organisations observing the ‘Mandya bandh’ have given a call for shutdown.
  2. These pro-Kannada organisations have called for ‘Bengaluru Bandh’ on September 26. They appealed to schools, colleges, shopkeepers, owners of commercial establishments, factories, companies and transporters to support their call.
  3. Reacting to the bandh call, Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar said, “The state government is committed to protecting the interest of the state. Yet, the opposition parties are giving a political dimension to the Cauvery issue.” He said the state government has made a representation to the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) with regard to the release of water to Tamil Nadu.
  4. The Karnataka government has said it will take all necessary steps to protect the interest of the people of the state and its farmers, by ensuring water for both crops and drinking water. “We have protected the interest of the farmers and people of the state and will continue to do so. Let those who want to do politics on the issue continue to do so,” Shivakumar said.
  5. Amid protests in different parts of Karnataka and a call for a bandh, police have tightened security across the state. The protests erupted after the Supreme Court refused to interfere with orders of the CWMA and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) directing the state to release 5,000 cusecs of water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu. There are protests in the Cauvery river basin districts of Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagara, Ramanagara, Bengaluru and other parts of the state urging the state not to release water to Tamil Nadu. The agitation has spread to districts like Chitradurga, Ballari, Davangere, Koppal and Vijayapura.

WHAT IS THE CONGRESS-LED KARNATAKA GOVERNMENT’S SOLUTION?

The Karnataka government has pitched the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project as a solution to settle the Cauvery river water dispute between both states. It has also indicated that the state will initiate the process towards realising the project.

Shivakumar said: “Already, 3,000 to 3,500 cusecs of water is flowing to Tamil Nadu as it is, and along with this we will also try to protect the interest of the farmers and drinking water requirements, this is our firm commitment.”

He said the state water resources minister did not specify whether Karnataka will comply with the CWMA’s order or not. Asked if Karnataka was open to talks with Tamil Nadu, he said, “Not now… let’s see after the 15-day period is over. We have requested the Centre to intervene and hold talks between both states.”

As of now 3,000 to 3,500 cusecs water is flowing to Tamil Nadu, and inflow is around 8,000 cusecs. The Mekedatu balancing reservoir project came up during the proceedings in the SC as well. But Tamil Nadu, in the past, has orally said it should not be taken up while the previous state government had filed an affidavit regarding the project. Despite Rs 1,000 crore set aside for the project, work could not be taken up.

WHAT HAS THE SUPREME COURT AND CWMA SAID?

The CWMA on September 18 asked Karnataka to continue releasing 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for another 15 days, after the CWRC made such a recommendation last week.

The SC, meanwhile, has rejected applications of both states. The court refused to interfere with orders of the CWMA and CWRC directing Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu, following which protests erupted in different parts of the state.

WHAT IS KARNATAKA’S POSITION ON WATER SHARING?

Karnataka has maintained that it is not in a position to release water, taking into account its own requirement for drinking water and irrigation of standing crops in the Cauvery basin areas. There has been water scarcity due to deficit monsoon rains.

Karnataka had approached the apex court seeking a direction to the CWMA to reconsider its order to release 5,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu. Before the top court pronounced its order, chief minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar called on union jal shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in Delhi and told him of the state’s inability to comply with the CWMA’s order.

WHY ARE FARMERS IN BOTH STATES PROTESTING?

Protests erupted following the SC ruling, with incensed farmers and pro-Kannada outfits in different parts of the state demanding that the state should defy the court order on water release. Mysuru, Mandya, Bengaluru and Chamarajanagara witnessed protests. The protesting farmers tried to block the highway in Chamarajanagara.

The Tamil Nadu government, meanwhile, ruled out any scope for parleys as sought by Karnataka, with state water resources minister Duraimurugan indicating that they will not compromise on its due share.

“There’s no scope for talks on the Cauvery issue, as parleys over the years did not yield any results,” Duraimurugan said. Farmers in the neighbouring state are also protesting over the water sharing dispute.

Karnataka ordered to release another 5,000 cusecs water to Tamil Nadu for next 15 days

The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) Tuesday asked the Karnataka government to release another 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for the next 15 days

A file photo of Cauvery basin (Photo: HT)

The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) Tuesday asked the Karnataka government to release another 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for the next 15 days. The CWRC passed the order in a virtual hearing after considering the submissions from both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments, reported ANI.

Earlier, the Karnataka government had appealed that it doesn’t even have enough drinking water to release from the basin.

According to the state government, the water level in the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) reservoir is depleting quickly and there will be a scarcity of drinking water in the days to come.

Taking note of the severity of the drought in the Cauvery basin of Karnataka, which has been increasing and enlarging putting at a greater risk even the drinking water needs and minimum needs of irrigation, the Karnataka government had made submissions that it was not in position to release water for Tamil Nadu unless the inflows in the reservoirs improves.

In response, the neighbouring Tamil Nadu government had urged the Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka for releasing 12,500 cusecs of water (which is inclusive of backlog of 6,500 cusecs) for next 15 days.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/karnataka-ordered-to-release-another-5-000-cusecs-water-to-tamil-nadu-for-next-15-days-11694535547576.html

Tamil Nadu: 8 Dead, 20 Injured After Parked Tourist Train Catches Fire In Madurai; Horrific Visuals Surface

As per reports, around eight people have lost their lives and around 20 people are reported injured in the incident.

Train Catches Fire In Madurai | Twitter

In a shocking incident, a massive fire broke out in a tourist train that was parked near the station in Madurai on Saturday. As per reports, around eight people have lost their lives and around 20 people are reported injured in the incident. The injured have been taken to Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai. A firefighting and rescue operation was carried out after the blaze erupted. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning when the Bharat Gaurav tourist train from Lucknow was halted a few kilometres before the Madurai Railway Station. An ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh has been announced to the next to kin of the deceased.

The fire has been doused and rescue operation underway

The horrific videos of the train engulfed by a massive blaze are doing rounds on social media. As per reports, the train stopped a few kilometres before the railway station in Madurai and was parked at the spot when the fire broke out in one of the coaches of the train which further spread to another coach of the train. The fire has been doused by the fire fighting department. It can be seen in the video that the rescue operators are trying to enter the train compartment after dousing the blaze.

Gas cylinders smuggled inside train

The reason of the cause of the fire is not known yet. However, the authorities claim after conducting initial investigations that few passengers in the train were using gas cylinder to cook food inside the train. The fire then spread from one coach to the other. Most of the passengers managed to flee the compartments that caught fire. However, the passengers who were elderly could not escape the train on time and died after being burnt inside the coach.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/tamil-nadu-8-dead-20-injured-after-parked-tourist-train-catches-fire-in-madurai-horrific-visual-surfaces

Foxconn signs LoI with Tamil Nadu to set up Rs 1,600 cr mobile components plant, generate 6,000 jobs

Foxconn’s repeated investments and expansion plans in Tamil Nadu are a testament to the state being the top choice for manufacturing in India for major companies around the world, said Industries Minister TRB Rajaa.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin (left) and Foxconn chairman and CEO Young Liu.

Taiwan-based Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the Tamil Nadu government to set up a new mobile components manufacturing facility at a cost of Rs 1,600 crore in Kancheepuram district. The project has the potential to generate 6,000 jobs.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin met Young Liu, chairman and CEO of Foxconn, in the presence of state industries minister T R B Rajaa, chief secretary Shiv Das Meena, additional chief secretary (industries) S Krishnan, MD and CEO of Guidance Tamil Nadu Vishnu Venugopalan, SY Chiang, chief strategy officer (semiconductor) of Foxconn, and top company officials. They signed a letter of intent (LoI) for a new facility that will be set up near Foxconn’s existing unit at Sriperumbudur in Kancheepuram district, which currently assembles Apple’s iPhones.

“Foxconn’s repeated investments and expansion plans in Tamil Nadu are a testament to the state being the top choice for manufacturing in India for major companies across the world. This is a major achievement for the state,” Rajaa said.

“Manufacturers who have seen immense success in Tamil Nadu over the past many years know that by investing more in the state they will only gain more. With this proposed investment, and many more to come, Tamil Nadu is poised to not only remain the top electronics exporter in the country, but also significantly increase its electronics exports in the coming years. This will play a critical role in attaining MK Stalin’s ambition of a $1 trillion economy in Tamil Nadu,” he added.

Prior to this agreement, on July 19, Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII), a subsidiary of Taiwan-based Hon Hai Technology Group, discussed potential investment opportunities in the state with Stalin.

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/announcements/foxconn-signs-loi-with-tamil-nadu-to-set-up-rs-1600-crore-mobile-components-plant-to-generate-6000-jobs-11065801.html

CBI Launches Probe Against Red Cross Society Branches In 5 States Over ‘Irregularities’

The CBI has launched its investigations into the Red Cross branches in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Karnataka, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The CBI has launched its investigations into the Red Cross branches in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Karnataka, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. ( Image Source : Unsplash/Kevin Paes )

The Union health ministry has launched a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into allegations of corruption and financial irregularities at the regional branches of the Red Cross Society in four Indian states and a Union Territory. The complaints were brought to the ministry’s attention, prompting investigations into the Red Cross branches in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Karnataka, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, reported news agency PTI.

The governor of Tamil Nadu requested approval from the national headquarters (NHQ) of the Red Cross Society in Delhi in July 2020 for an investigation into serious allegations against the state branch. However, the accused chairman and other officebearers of the Tamil Nadu branch obtained a stay from the high court in Chennai, which stood vacated in June 2022. The chairman has since resigned and the matter is now with the CBI. The state managing committee has been dissolved and replaced with an ad-hoc committee.

In Kerala, the NHQ recommended dissolution of the managing committee after a case of misappropriation of funds in 2019 allegedly involving the chairman and vice-chairman. An interim committee under a high court judge was appointed, and a new managing committee has since taken over.

The general secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands branch was removed from their position after holding it for an extended period without proper elections, following a complaint that was referred to the lieutenant governor of the Union Territory.

Source : https://news.abplive.com/news/india/cbi-launches-probe-in-5-states-against-irregularities-by-red-cross-society-1588194

Tamil Nadu DGP says videos of attacks on migrants ‘fake’ after Bihar CM expresses concern

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had directed the chief secretary and DGP to speak to officials in the Tamil Nadu government and ensure the safety of Bihar labourers.

Tamil Nadu Director General of Police C Sylendra Babu Thursday clarified that the videos circulating on social media showing alleged attacks on migrant labourers in the state were “false” and “mischievous”. His clarification came in the wake of a tweet by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who took note of media reports on the videos and directed the state chief secretary and DGP to speak to officials in the Tamil Nadu government and ensure the safety of Bihar labourers.

“Somebody in Bihar has posted a false and mischievous video saying that the migrant workers of Bihar are attacked in Tamil Nadu. Two videos are posted and both are false videos. These two incidents happened earlier in Tiruppur and Coimbatore. In both cases, the clash was not between Tamil Nadu people and migrant workers. One was a clash between two groups of Bihar migrant workers and another video was a clash between two local residents of Coimbatore,” DGP Babu said.

The Tamil Nadu Police, meanwhile, warned that strict action would be initiated against those sharing fake videos on social media.

Nitish Thursday had tweeted, “I have come to know through newspapers about attacks on laborers from Bihar working in Tamil Nadu. I have directed the chief secretary and director general of police of Bihar to talk to the officials of the Tamil Nadu government and ensure the safety of laborers from Bihar living there.”

After the Tamil Nadu DGP’s clarification, the Bihar police reiterated that the videos were fake.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/tamil-nadu-bihar-labourers-nitish-kumar-8477155/

‘Why not? Why can’t he be PM?’: Farooq Abdullah bats for this leader in 2024

2024 Lok Sabha election: Several opposition leaders, including Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal, have been touted as challengers to the BJP and Narendra Modi in next year’s poll.

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader and Lok Sabha MP Farooq Abdullah at Parliament House in New Delhi on the first day of the Budget Session. (ANI Photo)

National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday backed Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin to be a joint opposition’s prime ministerial candidate for the 2024 Lok Sabha election. “Why not? Why can’t he become the PM? What is wrong about it?” he asked reporters when asked about the possibility of a joint challenge to prime minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party.

However, the veteran politician – a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir – also offered a gentle reminder of work be done to defeat the BJP.

“When we all unite and win… it will be at that time that they (a joint opposition) will decide who is the best man to lead and unite this nation.”

Farooq Abdullah is in Chennai for Stalin’s 70th birthday celebrations; the ruling DMK has organised a public meeting to also push for a united opposition.

As the opposition preps for next year, many names have been floated as possible challengers to Modi, including Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Telangana’s K Chandrashekar Rao. Neither is expected to be present today.

Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee was at the centre of a big push after her statement win over the BJP in the 2021 Bengal Assembly election, when she reached out to other parties, including the Congress and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party, but that buzz has dimmed in recent months.

“When we all unite and win… it will be at that time that they (a joint opposition) will decide who is the best man to lead and unite this nation.”

Farooq Abdullah is in Chennai for Stalin’s 70th birthday celebrations; the ruling DMK has organised a public meeting to also push for a united opposition.

As the opposition preps for next year, many names have been floated as possible challengers to Modi, including Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Telangana’s K Chandrashekar Rao. Neither is expected to be present today.

Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee was at the centre of a big push after her statement win over the BJP in the 2021 Bengal Assembly election, when she reached out to other parties, including the Congress and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party, but that buzz has dimmed in recent months.

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