Tamil Nadu   

Briefly

CPI (M) secretariat meet

CHENNAI: The State secretariat of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Thursday discussed organisational issues, besides taking stock of the political situation in the State.

According to party sources, the proposed week-long all-India campaign for food, land and employment from August 16 figured in the discussions. Different forms of agitations such as demonstrations and jathas would be undertaken during this campaign week, they added. — Special Correspondent

Water to reach tail-end areas by Sunday

Thanjavur: Water is expected to reach the tail-end areas of Cauvery and Vennar divisions by Sunday, according to Public Works Department engineers. Water has reached Mayiladuthurai in Cauvery division and Tiruvarur and Thiruthuraipoondi in Vennar division.

In the Grand Anicut canal division, water has already reached Pattukottai and Peravurani.

Meanwhile, farmers have started samba cultivation in many parts of Thanjavur and Tiruvarur. The Mettur dam level stood at 116.25 ft on Thursday evening. The storage was 87.615 tmcft. The inflow was 13,228 cusecs and discharge 15,000 cusecs. From the Grand Anicut, 5,806 cusecs is being released into the Cauvery, 5,504 cusecs into Vennar, 2,017 cusecs into the Grand Anicut canal and 1,020 cusecs into Kollidam. — Special Correspondent

Sentenced to life for murdering wife

VELLORE: Principal district and sessions judge (PDJ), Vellore, R. Mala, on Thursday sentenced Saravanan (29) of Palur Colony in Ambur to life imprisonment, for murdering his wife.

According to the prosecution, Saravanan strangulated his wife Radhika (24) with a rope on July 10, 2003. The judge also ordered a fine of Rs.1,000. — Staff Reporter

Date extended for submission of books

CHENNAI: The Directorate of Tamil Development on Thursday announced extension of time for submitting books by authors and publishers for the best books award contest till August 16.

An official release here said the Government gives awards every year, for best books in Tamil, under 31 categories. Though June 30 had been fixed as the deadline for submitting books published last year, it was extended in view of the shifting of the office of the Directorate and the difficulties caused by the December 26 tsunami. — Special Correspondent

New post for Subhashan Reddy

CHENNAI: Former Chief Justice of Madras High Court, B. Subhashan Reddy, on Thursday was appointed the first Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Human Rights Commission (APSHRC). . He is slated to assume charge on Friday.

According to sources, Mr. Justice Reddy has been appointed for five years. — Special Correspondent

Smuggler hurt in exchange of fire

Udhagamandalam: In an exchange of fire between forest officials and timber smugglers near here, one person was injured. According to the District Forest Officer, the Nilgiris North Division, A.K. Ulaganathan, when a team of officials was patrolling the Naikan Kottai area near Northern Hay on Thursday, they saw a seven-member gang sawing into pieces two teak wood trees. When ordered to surrender, one of the smugglers opened fire. When a forester returned fire, he sustained injuries on his leg. He was identified as Prakash (32) of Manvayal area. — Special Correspondent

Safety measures at cement unit inspected

Ariyalur: The Tamil Nadu Assembly Committee on Public Undertakings visited the Arasu Cement Factory here on Tuesday and inspected the safety measures being adopted at its various production yards.

Led by S. S. Ramanidaran, MLA, the Committee later held a discussion with the factory and district officials on the pollution control measures, proposals for modernisation and expansion.

The District Collector, D. Vivekanandan, informed the Committee that about 1,510 acres had already been acquired for the expansion projects of the factory and steps were being taken for acquisition of an additional 1,210 acres.

The members of the Committee, A. K. Murugesan, R. Sasikala, P. Mahendran, M. Ramkumar and A. Bhuvaragavamurthy were among those who were present. — Staff Reporter

Schoolboy dies in classroom

NAGAPATTINAM: Prabhakaran (14), a ninth Standard student of a higher secondary school in Porayar in Nagapattinam district, died of head injuries following a clash between him and another student in the classroom on Thursday.

Police sources said that there was a wordy duel between Prabhakaran, son of a casual labourer of Porayar, and his classmate Shahul Hameed (14).

Both of them reportedly slapped each other and Prabhakaran was said to have fallen from a bench and sustained head injuries. He succumbed to his injuries on the way to the Government hospital at Karaikal. Police and Education department authorities visited the school. Police have registered a case. — Staff Reporter

Poster contest

Thanjavur: The State Resource Centre, an organisation for creating synergy in the implementation of the literacy and continuing education programme in Tamil Nadu, has proposed to organise a poster competition to mark the International Literacy Day, which falls on September 8, 2005. The topic for the competition will be `Necessity of literacy' or `Necessity of women literacy'.

Those who want to participate in the competition can send their posters to the Director, State Resource Centre, 20, First Street, Venkatarathinam Nagar extension, Adyar, Chennai, 600 020, before August 18.

The posters should be of the size 20"x30" or 15"x10". They can be in multi colour (four colours). — Special Correspondent

Breast-feeding week observed

PUDUKOTTAI: Under the auspices of the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), the `World Breast-feeding Week' was observed here recently. Speaking on the occasion, the Project Officer, District Rural Development Agency, M. Madasamy, underlined the importance of breast-feeding for overall physical and mental development of infants. He appealed to the field staff attached to Social Welfare Department to create awareness of advantages of breast-feeding among young

mothers.

He also gave away prizes to parents of three healthy babies who won a contest held as part of the observance. An exhibition on the significance of breast-feeding was also held. — Staff Reporter

Mettur level

Tiruchi: The water level in the Mettur dam stood at 116.25 feet today. The inflow was 13,228 cusecs and the discharge, 15,005 cusecs. — Staff Reporter

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