Tamil Nadu News Papers

With Model Code lifted, focus shifts to civic works

Tuesday, 11 April 2017 00:00

The Hindu 11.04.2017

With Model Code lifted, focus shifts to civic works

Infrastructure works resume in areas under the segment

Civic infrastructure project works that were suspended owing to the Dr. Radhakrishan Nagar byelection resumed on Monday after the model code of conduct was lifted.

Greater Chennai Corporation had not been able to commence work on restoring the infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Vardah because of the delay in getting clearance from the Election Commission . Work orders for at least 500 parks, 7600 streetlights, 471 road pavements and 86 bus shelters at Rs. 75 crore were issued before the announcement of byelection but the work did not commence. These works was expected to resume this week.

“We had written to the Election Commission . But there was no response. So we had to wait. Work did not start in any of the 15 zones,” an official said .

The work on developing a bridge on the Manali Salai and Kathivakkam High Road would also resume this week.

The Chennai Corporation had finalised bids for the Rs. 117 crore project and issued work order a few months ago. The civic body had started the work but the work was suspended after announcement of the byelection. Work on the eco-park in Barathi Nagar along the Buckingham Canal would also be resume this week. The work started a few months ago in a land measuring six acres at a cost of Rs. 9.8 crore and the work was was suspended once the model code came into force. Another project to construct retaining walls along Captain Cotton Canal would begin this week.

According to official sources, roads and bridges damaged in Cyclone Vardah would be restored at Rs. 136 crore shortly. Work on restoration of damaged stormwater drains at Rs. 35 crore, playgrounds at Rs. 8 crore, parks at Rs. 28 crore, electrical fittings at Rs. 44 crore, public buildings at Rs. 17 crore, hospitals at Rs. 3 crore and revenue collection facilities at Rs. 3.5 crore would also be taken up shortly.

Building sealed for plan approval violation

Tuesday, 11 April 2017 00:00

The Hindu 11.04.2017

Building sealed for plan approval violation

Caught in storm:V.V. Tower in Palayamkottai that was sealed on Monday for violation of plan approval.A. SHAIKHMOHIDEENAA_SHAIKMOHIDEEN;A_SHAIKMOHIDEEN

It is owned by beach minerals mining baron S. Vaikundarajan’s brother

V.V. Towers, a landmark building owned by beach minerals mining baron S. Vaikundarajan’s brother Jegatheesan opposite Government Siddha Medical College here, was sealed on Monday for alleged building plan violations.

Even as a police team was providing protective cover, a team of officials attached to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) sealed the four-storey building, housing a non-vegetarian restaurant, a super market and a few more offices, around 7.30 a.m. after Collector and Chairman of LPA M. Karunakaran inspected the building.

LPA letter

In a letter sent to Mr. Jegatheesan on April 6, the Member Secretary of LPA stated that the commercial complex at Murugankurichi had been built with additional floors in violation of the building plan approval granted by the LPA.

It had been built without adequate parking facility. Moreover, no revised plan approval was obtained from the LPA for the violations.

Since the commercial complex would be sealed on April 10, operation of the offices functioning from this building should be stopped completely by removing the materials stocked in the building under question, the letter said.

“The building was sealed as it has been built in violation of the building plan approval granted by the LPA. Similar notices have been sent to the owners of a few more buildings across the district and appropriate action will be taken on these notices,” Dr. Karunakaran told the waiting reporters after inspecting the sealing of V.V. Towers. When the officials were about to seal the building, a group of advocates tried to resist the attempt. After the officials told them that they were acting on the court’s direction, the lawyers left the spot.

Tamil Nadu leads in urban poverty alleviation

Friday, 07 April 2017 09:32

The Times of India 07.04.2017

Tamil Nadu leads in urban poverty alleviation

CHENNAI: From giving subsidised loans to forming self-help groups, Tamil Nadu leads other states in addressing urban poverty during the last three years, said Rao Inderjit Singh, minister of state for housing and urban poverty alleviation, in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

The minister said the state was in the "forefront in assisting urban poor" with subsidised loans for self-employment through setting up of individual and group micro enterprises under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-NULM (DAY-NULM).

From 2014 to 2017, the Tamil Nadu government provided skills training for 1.04lakh urban poor, the third highest after Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and gave subsidised loans to 30.25 lakh beneficiaries. Around 24,000 self-help groups were also formed, way ahead of other states.

Other states that were commended for their performance in alleviating urban poverty include Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

The National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) was launched in September, 2016, to reduce urban poverty by enabling access to self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities on a sustainable basis. NULM was launched in 790 cities and towns in 2013. It was subsequently extended to all the statutory 4,041 cities and towns in February, 2016.

Last Updated on Friday, 07 April 2017 09:59

More Articles...