The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Briefly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Briefly

Advocates' meeting today

CHENNAI JULY 27. The Madras High Court Advocates Association (MHAA), spearheading a court boycott since yesterday, is to meet tomorrow to consider withdrawing two of its demands — transfer of the Chief Justice and posting the writ petition against the Madurai Bench before some other Bench. This follows a meeting between judges of the court and representatives from various advocates associations here today. The striking lawyers, sources said, were told in no uncertain terms that judges would start deciding the cases on merit if the boycott continued beyond tomorrow. The Madras Bar Association has decided to participate in the strike for two days and suggested that the MHAA consider boycotting the court of the Chief Justice until its demands are conceded.

The demands are retention of writ jurisdiction over all districts with the principal seat of the court here and the constitution of a Bench of the Supreme Court of India in Chennai.

Court restrains Censor Board

CHENNAI JULY 27. The Madras High Court today restrained Central Board of Film Certification authorities from granting the censor certificate to the Kamal Hassan-starrer, Vasool Raja MBBS. Justice R. Balasubramanian granted the interim injunction on a writ petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Medical Council president, K.R. Balasubramaniam. The title belittled doctors and portrayed them as business-minded people, the petitioner-association said. The title was offensive and hurt the reputation and sentiments of medical practitioners in the State, much unlike the original Hindi version of the film, Munna Bhai, MBBS, the petitioner said.

Statutory authorities had not taken any steps despite several representations. The Indian Medical Association had already sent notice to the producer, Gemini Film Circuit.

4 surrender in murder case

Thanjavur July 27. Four persons — Muttai Ravi (32), Asari (28), Sundarapandiyan (22) and Jayakumar (19) — wanted in connection with yesterday's triple murder in Tiruchi surrendered in the judicial magistrate's court at Thiruthuraipoondi in Tiruvarur district today. They were remanded to custody. Three persons, including a Dalit Panthers of India functionary, Seth alias Irumporai, were killed in broad daylight at Nagamangalam on Tiruchi-Madurai road.

Held under Goondas Act

Tuticorin July 27. On the orders of the Collector, the president of the Devendra Youth Forum, C. Pasupathi Pandian (44) of Mela Alangaarathattu, near here, was arrested today under the Goondas Act.

Pasupathi Pandian and seven of his supporters were arrested on July 4 on charges of extortion and criminal intimidation, after one Velsamy filed a police complaint that he was facing death threat from them.

Since Pasupathi Pandian was reportedly facing seven murder cases, eight attempt to murder and kidnap cases and two cases of extortion — one at Thaadikombu in Dindigul district and the other at Keeraithurai in Madurai district.

Jayalalithaa may visit Kollur

By Our Staff Correspondent

Udupi (Karnataka) July 27. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa, is expected to visit the Mookambika temple at Kollur on July 30. Sources here said she was expected to participate in a "Chandika Homa'' in the temple.

Merit list on web site

CHENNAI JULY 27. The merit list for three-year higher speciality courses for 2004-2005 was released today by the Selection Committee at its office in the Directorate of Medical Education and through the web site, www.tnhealth.org The total number of seats in government colleges are 69 — 41 for M.Ch and 28 seats for D.M. courses. Two seats, one in each of the two specialities, are available in the Cancer Institute, Adyar, according to a press release. Counselling will be conducted on July 31 and individuals intimated personally.

Fees payment date extended

CHENNAI JULY 27. The last date for payment of tuition fees by second and third year undergraduate and postgraduate degree students of the Madras University's Institute of Distance Education has been extended up to August 14.

All students, except those doing MBA, MCA and M.Sc (IT), could avail themselves of the extension. The payment could be made at ICICI Bank branches, through challan, without commission or service charges, says to a press release.

`Reject Kelkar report'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI JULY 27. The Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries Association (TANSTIA) has urged the Centre to reject the Kelkar Task Force report on the fiscal responsibility and budget management Act 2003.

The Centre should come out with the policy package promised in the Common Minimum Programme of the United Progressive Alliance touching on all areas connected with the small scale Industries sector including raw material price, the banking sector and state procurement.

"If such a comprehensive policy package is not forthcoming, the SSI sector would be forced to wage a struggle as in the past when the exemption limit was reduced on the excise front," the TANSTIA said in a statement. If the Finance Ministry adopted anything from the report, it should be discussed in Parliament. The TANSTIA was planning a course of action in consultation with other fraternal organisations to oppose the task force proposals.

Arrested

ERODE JULY 27. A suspended policeman Surendran has been arrested on Monday for allegedly misbehaving with bus passengers in an inebriated condition. According to police, he was placed under suspension while working at Varapalayam police station in Gobichettipalayam sub-division for his misbehaviour with the police officials.

Pipeline burst

By Our Special Correspondent

SALEM JULY 27. A major burst in the main pipeline of the Mettur-Attur Comprehensive Water Supply Scheme at Mamangam near here on Tuesday night disrupted water supply to the city.

A team of officials from Salem Corporation started plugging the breach in the pipeline, which distributes water to half of Salem city, Attur town and wayside habitations. The Corporation Commissioner T. Paulsamy told The Hindu that the burst occurred due to "back-water pressure." The plugging work would be completed soon and the normal supply would be restored from noon tomorrow.

Rail traffic hit

NAGERCOIL JULY 27. Rail traffic was affected for more than three hours today after the engine of a goods train bound for Tirunelveli from Ernakulam developed a snag.

Sources said the engine of the train of 69 oil tankers developed a snag between Kuzuthurai and Eraniel. Following this, the departure of the Island Express (Nagercoil-Bangalore), Nagercoil - Thiruvanathapuram Passenger and Ananthapurai Express was delayed for three hours.

Railway officials rushed to the spot, rectified the error and restored traffic.

Chain-snatchers nabbed

THENI JULY 27. Residents of Venkatchalapuram nabbed three accused, who snatched a five-sovereign gold chain from a woman today, and handed them over to the police.

Selvam (25), Raja (28) and Paun Raj (21) snatched the chain from Padmavathi, wife of Govindarajan, near her house and attempted to escape. On hearing the alarm raised by her, people gave them a chase and nabbed them. They also seized the jewel and some lethal weapons from them.

Award

MADURAI JULY 27. The Madurai Collector, D. Raajendiran, presented an award to Dhanaprabha, widow of P. Venkatasubramanian, an army personnel from Rajapalayam, who died in an encounter on the Kashmir border in December last, at a function held here on Monday.

Fast observed

Thanjavur July 27 . Members of the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) Modern Rice Mill Retired Workers Union observed a fast here today.

They said that their retirement benefits should not be curtailed for the loss of weight of paddy brought for hulling to modern rice mills while they were in service.

The corporation, which had reduced the benefits of some employees, should repay the amount.

C. Chandrakumar, State general secretary of Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation Workers Union, and J. Lakshmanan, State secretary of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), participated in the fast.

Loans for schools

KARUR JULY 27. The Repatriates' Cooperative Finance and Development (REPCO) Bank has launched a loan scheme for renovation of school buildings.

In a release, its Chief Manager, P. Palanivelu, said that aided and unaided private schools could use the scheme for converting thatched roofs into tiled, asbestos or concrete roofing.

Loans up to Rs. 5 lakhs would be given against the school property.

The schools can repay the loan in convenient instalments at concessional rate of interest.

Mettur level

TIRUCHI JULY 27. The level at the Mettur reservoir stood at 70.72 feet today. The inflow was 6,049 cusecs and the discharge was 7,490 cusecs.

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

Tamil Nadu