The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Briefly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 28, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Briefly

By Our Special Correspondent

Dejected student attempts suicide

SALEM MAY 27. Three persons, including a school student, suffered serious injuries when gas from an LPG cylinder at his residence at Maruti Nagar in Chinna Tirupathi here exploded following his alleged suicide attempt today.

The police said the gas from the cylinder exploded when Rahul, son of Duraisamy, reportedly attempted suicide for scoring low marks in the SSLC examinations, results of which were announced today. Neighbours Abdul Majith (50) and Ramachandran (18), who tried to save Rahul, also suffered serious injuries when objects, flying like missiles, hit them.

Rahul, who expected to score 400-plus, got only 329 marks. When no one was in the house, he cut the rubber tube of the cylinder. After letting the gas flow out for a few minutes, he switched on a bulb. The spark ignited the gas, which exploded with thunderous sound, throwing Rahul on the floor. In the impact of the explosion the doors and windows were ripped open and walls suffered cracks. All the three were rushed to the Salem Government Medical College Hospital.

Aptitude test

CHENNAI May 27. An a ptitude test will be held on May 30 at the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchi (formerly Regional Engineering College), for admission to a three-year diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology for 2004-05 at the State Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (SIHMCT), Thuvakkudi, Tiruchi.

Hall tickets are being sent by Speed Post. If any eligible candidate does not receive it on time, a duplicate will be issued on May 29 at the SIHMCT, and at the National Institute of Technology between 8.30 and 9.30 a.m. on May 30 on his/her producing a photograph attested by a gazetted officer on submission of proof of application such as Speed Post and demand draft receipt.

Ooty rose show cancelled

By Our Staff Reporter

Udhagamandalam May 27. The rose show, scheduled to be held here on May 29, has been cancelled owing to unforeseen circumstances and unfavourable weather. The president of the Nilgiris Rose Society, B. Suresh, today said the society was considering a proposal to hold the show during the second season (September-October).

DMK MPs' meet

CHENNAI MAY 27. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Members of Parliament will meet here on Friday to elect floor leaders in both Houses. The party president, M. Karunanidhi, will chair the meeting.

All seven DMK Union Ministers, who took charge of their portfolios, will arrive here and garland the statues of Periyar, C.N. Annadurai and K. Kamaraj.

Vigilance probe begins

By Our Staff Reporter

Udhagamandalam May 27 . The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption police have begun investigations of the muster roll scam in the Udhagamandalam municipality.

It is said J. Stanley Michael, who assumed charge as health officer late last month, found evidence of records having been created with bogus names in a summer management scheme. It was reportedly implemented between April 8 and April 22 at a cost of Rs. 1.86 lakhs, on the instructions of Municipal Commissioner Pon Muniraj, by "employing" 127 casual labourers. There was no sufficient evidence of the work having been carried out.

The Deputy Superintendent of Police,Vigilance and Anti-Corruption N. Sivamurthy, told The Hindu here today that the investigation was initiated on a complaint given by Dr. Michael against Mr. Muniraj and a municipal sanitary inspector of irregularities and misappropriation of government funds of Rs. 1.86 lakhs.

In a mass cleaning campaign, which was claimed to have been implemented, false vouchers were allegedly prepared and signatures of sanitary workers forged. Pointing out that it had come to the knowledge of the Vigilance department that some persons within the municipality, who were upset at the shady affair becoming public knowledge, were harassing the complainant, Mr. Sivamurthy said the investigation would brook no interference.

Sources in the municipality said attempts were being made at various levels to hush up the episode.The outcome of a departmental enquiry conducted last week by M. Rajkumar, Additional Director of Municipal Administration, Chennai, is not yet known.

Combined research centre

By Our Staff Reporter

Chengalpattu May 27. Infrastructure at the Central Leprosy Training and Research Institute here will be utilised for setting up research centres for tuberculosis, AIDS and malaria, the Union Health Minister, R. Anbumani, said today.

The Minister, who visited the institute, told reporters that the Union Government was all set to achieve its goal of eradicating leprosy within 2005. The huge infrastructure created with World Health Organisation assistance might lie unused.

Hence, it was proposed to convert this institute into a combined research centre for tuberculosis, AIDS and malaria.

At present, only 10 per cent of the total area of 540 acres was used for running the leprosy research institute, which has outpatient and inpatient wards.

Dr. Anbumani said his Ministry would concentrate on improving rural health care. For, 80 per cent of advanced medical care was available only in urban areas.

A proposal to amend the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act to impose stringent punishment on manufacturers of `fake' medicines and adulterated food was on the anvil.

Suicide

By Our Staff Reporter

Dharmapuri May 27. A 14-year-old girl died after consuming poison at Palacode here on Wednesday. Police said Nagammal, a ninth standard student, took the extreme step as she failed in her examinations. The victim was rushed to the Dharmapuri General Hospital where she died.

Nine arrested

By Our Staff Reporter

Krishnagiri May 27. As many as nine persons involved in illegal felling of sandalwood and teak trees were arrested in a raid by the Hosur Forest personnel in the Denkanikottai forests here on Wednesday. According to sources, sandalwood and teak worth Rs.1 lakh worth were seized.

Exhumed

By Our Staff Reporter

Dharmapuri May 27. The body of a female infant was exhumed at Madikonpalayam here on Wednesday and post-mortem examination held on the suspicion that it was a case of infanticide. The police said that Sala (26) gave birth to a girl a few days ago. Claiming that the child died due to illness, Sala, along with her husband Murugesan (31), buried the child. But based on a complaint lodged by the Village Administrative Officer, the body was exhumed.

Mahotsavam

By Our Staff Reporter

Sathyamangalam May 27. The 13th Sita Rama Vivaha Mahotsavam of Saketha Rama Bhajana Mandali will be held at Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple, Sathyamangalam, from May 29 to 31.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu

News Update

Stories in this Section

Top ranks go to Thanjavur and Madurai in SSLC, matriculation

Systematic efforts paid off: Thanjavur CEO

Back home but `it is no cause for joy'

TVS school wins top 3 ranks in Matriculation

Special supplementary examination from June 30

Keen on following in his father's footsteps

Meet to discuss plea for holding CET for management quota seats

Maran welcomes declaration of Tamil as classical language

`Restore subsidies to entrepreneurs not covered by NAMT'

Rain in Tiruchi, Ramnad districts

The top rank holders

Study on road safety policy under way

Government schools do well in Villupuram

Briefly