The shocking incident occurred at the Madurai airport when an elderly fan bypassed Thalapathy Vijay's security and tried to meet him. The Tamil superstar is currently shooting for Jana Nayagan, his final film before he ventures full-time into politics.
Traffic regulation in Madurai city for Chithirai festival
Students taken out for Samathuva Nadai in Madurai
Madurai Corporation bill collector held on graft charge
Unearthing lyrical gems that describe Azhagars procession to Vaigai and back
A much-awaited event in Madurai, the songs capture the beauty of the town, the temple, the deity and the procession.
Elaborate election strategies will be discussed during the partys general council meeting scheduled to be held in Madurai on June 1, said the DMK president
Tamil Nadu Heatwave Sparks Travel Rush As Madurai Residents Flee To Hills And Coastlines Travel And Tour World
Madras HC stays proceedings on closure report filed by CBI in idol theft case
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has stayed further proceedings on the closure report filed by the CBI in an idol theft case, following a petition filed by former Idol Wing IGP Pon Manickavel that it was not filed before the competent court. A case was registered against former DSP Kader Batcha and two police personnel for stealing idols and selling them to a dealer named Deenadayalan for Rs 15 lakh. The case was re-registered and probed by the CBI based on an order passed by the high court in 2022. On June 10, 2024, the agency filed a closure report before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai. Manickavel, who is also being investigated by the CBI in a separate case based on the HCs direction, submitted that the state government passed a notification on May 22, 2024, designating the Additional CJM Court, Madurai as the Special Court for trial of idol theft cases. Since the case against Batcha pertains to Virudhunagar, the closure report ought to have been filed before the Additional CJM, Madurai, Manickavel said. He requested the high court to direct the CJM, Madurai to return the closure report and direct CBI to file the same before the Additional CJM Court. Observing that the petitioner has made out a prima facie case, the judge ordered an interim stay.
State plans to set up govt-run cloud exchange hub to position Tamil Nadu at forefront of AI
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu is planning to establish a government-run cloud exchange hub, aiming to position the state at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation. The initiative, part of broader efforts to expand Chennais data centre ecosystem, is expected to support research, analytics, and technological advancements. Speaking at the 7th ASSOCHAM Conclave on Smart Datacenters & Cloud Infrastructure, Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, the states Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services, said that if Chennai captures a significant share of Indias growing data infrastructure market, it could provide a strong foundation for the AI industry. Chennais data centre capacity is projected to increase from 202.43 MW in 2025 to 551.15 MW by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.18%, according to PwC. The citys strategic coastal location, infrastructure, and government policies are driving investment. The Tamil Nadu Data Centre Policy 2021 has played a key role, offering tax breaks, land subsidies, and power tariff concessions to attract developers. These measures, Rajan said, are laying the groundwork for both digital infrastructure and broader economic transformation. PwCs report calls for further policy enhancements, including incentives for sustainable and energy-efficient data centres, expanded renewable energy support, and clear public-private partnership (PPP) guidelines. It also recommends streamlined regulatory processes and training programmes to develop a skilled workforce for the sector. With the adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud strategies rising across enterprises, demand for scalable data infrastructure is growing. The spread of AI and big data analytics is also driving increased investment in high-capacity, energy-efficient facilities, the PwC report said. Beyond Chennai, other cities such as Coimbatore and Madurai are also poised to benefit. The PwC report said Coimbatores strong industrial base and educational ecosystem alongside Madurais growing IT workforce make them attractive locations for data infrastructure growth. With supportive policies, a skilled workforce, and accelerating investment, TN is positioned to become a national leader in digital infrastructure, paving the way for AI-led innovation.
Madurai Aadheenam rejects police clarification, alleges bias in accident case
MADURAI: Madurai Aadheenam Harihara Ghanasambantha Desika Paramacharya Swamigal on Monday rejected the clarificiation issued by Kallakurichi police that there was no attempt to murder him during his travel to Chennai on May 2, and said police is acting in a biased manner in the issue. In a two-page press note, the Aadheenam denied that he did not lodge any complaint about the accident. The Aadheenam said he alerted police immediately after the accident and elaborated about it to several police officers including emergency number (100), sub inspector of Ulundurpet and intelligence unit. Explaining the incident, he said there was no number plate in the vehicle which hit his car. After the incident, two people belonging to a different religion left the spot after they informed that they have alerted police. The police however, have not mentioned anything about the vehicle and its occupants in their press note. Further in the FIR it was said that the occupants went as a family but there were only two people in the car, the Aadheenam said. Further, he said police had registered a case based on a complaint from A Mubarak Ali on May 4. The first alert to police was from our side but they claimed there was no complaint from us and booked a case based on their complaint. Despite explaining everything, the police has created an image that we were at fault, he said. Meanwhile, Hindu Makkal Katchi issued a statement condemning the Aadheenam for spreading false information. The outfit said there was no reason to believe there was an attempt on his life. Further, the outfit described the Aadheenam as mentally unstable and called for his ouster. Cadres of DYFI led by the district secretary T Selvaraj petitioned Madurai city police commissioner J Loganathan seeking action against the Aadheenam and his associates. He is trying to create communal disharmony between religions, they said.
Madras High Court imposes Rs 25,000 cost on petitioner for plea over personal vengeance
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recently imposed Rs 25,000 cost on a history-sheeter from Kanniyakumari for filing a petition over personal vengeance. As the petitioner claimed to be the chairman of an educational trust, Justice B Pugalendhi directed him to pay the cost within a month to the Kanniyakumari chief educational officer, who in turn was instructed to use the amount for the welfare of schools in remote villages. In his petition, J Spurgeon Samuel had alleged that one Edward Raja, a neighbouring landowner, had trespassed into his land parcel and illegally cut down Rs 1-crore-worth palm trees and quarried sand worth Rs 50 crore. When he questioned the same, the police registered a false case against him, alleged Samuel, and sought a vigilance inquiry against the police and revenue officials concerned. However, the additional public prosecutor contended that the officials verified and reported that no quarry activity was noticed in the petitioners land. The prosecutor added that a criminal case was registered last year against Samuel -- a history-sheeter -- for allegedly intimidating Edward to pay Rs 20 lakh for the latter to run his quarry business peacefully. Considering Samuels track record, the judge observed that he had filed the petition recklessly in a vague manner to wreak vengeance on Raja and not made out any case warranting vigilance inquiry.
Regulate summer camps at private schools
COIMBATORE: With summer holidays, private schools and play schools are organising special camps violating norms due to the laxity of educational officers, allege activists. Citing the alleged drowning of a four-year-old girl in a water tank at a play school in Madurai last week, they demanded regulation or a ban on summer camps held by private schools, considering childrens safety. In Coimbatore too, such summer camps for children are now being conducted by private schools without any checks as the educational officer of the school education department gives them a free hand, say activists. Coimbatore-based activist S Basha told TNIE that money-spinning summer camps violate norms and educational officers allow them to function. Following the girls death at a summer camp, the Madurai District Collector issued an order barring all types of schools from conducting any classes in the name of sports, special classes, evening classes, summer camps during summer holidays. The school licence, too, was cancelled, he said. Even after this incident, schools in Coimbatore are conducting summer camps for their own students and other children by fixing fees ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 12,000 for summer courses on handwriting improvement, drawing, interactive indoor activities, etc. If authorities were interested, they could have included these activities in the school curriculum and taught students instead of doing so under the guise of summer camps. But they aim to earn money from parents, Basha alleged. He urged the Coimbatore District Collector to ban summer camps as was done in Madurai. Meanwhile, the All Private Schools Association alleged that many unapproved playschools are functioning in Coimbatore without obtaining opening licences from the school education department. Association president Mayadevi Shankar told TNIE that instead of issuing notices to unapproved schools for explanation every year, the school education department and the district administration should close them down. She alleged that even unapproved schools conduct summer camps for children illegally. She claimed that there was no response from the district administration and the school education department despite petitioning them on this matter. Mayadevi pointed out that these private schools have no power to conduct summer camps and alleged some schools conduct summer camps for children aged 2. Education Development Committee coordinator S Shanmugasundaram told TNIE, We cannot say summer camps by private entities dont serve a purpose. Some children want to learn something during the summer. But there is a need for regulation and guidelines for the conduct of summer classes through a government body. As there is no regulation by the government, cheating occurs in some camps, and a few private institutions conduct summer camps on swimming, sports, etc, ignoring childrens safety, he said. When contacted, a principal of a private school in the city told TNIE that schools conduct camps at the request of parents because parents do not have time to care for their children during the summer vacation. She claimed no permission is required to conduct such camps. Repeated attempts to reach the Chief Educational Officer R Balamurali and DEO for private schools, Punitha Anthonyammal went in vain. When contacted, Coimbatore district collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar told TNIE that he would look into this matter through educational officers.
Vijay's Bodyguard Pulls Out Gun On Fan At Madurai Airport; Netizens In Shock | Watch
Vijay, who was returning from a film shoot in Kodaikanal, was met with a crowd of admirers. However, a misjudgment by his security personnel led to a tense moment.
Madurai district police arrest four from U.P., Delhi in three cybercrime cases
Madurai comes alive during Chithirai festival
Flying squads to keep a tab on drug peddling across Tamil Nadu
COIMBATORE: After Chennai and Madurai, the health department has taken steps to form special flying squads under the drug administration department in all districts across the state. Officials from the department said preliminary work has started to launch the squads, and it is designated to curb drug abuse cases based on intelligence inputs. During the discussion on the Demands for Grants in the Assembly last month, Health Minister Ma Subramanian announced that they would launch special flying squads across the state to prevent the supply and smuggling of sedative drugs. Following his announcement, the food safety and drug administration department has started works to execute the plan. Officials of the department say the inception of flying squads is aimed at tackling drug abuses and also the sale of adulterated, counterfeit and spurious medicines. These squads, comprising drug inspectors, will work with the stakeholder departments such as the police, food safety and others. This strategic move has been approved by the state government to enhance surveillance and monitoring across the pharmaceutical supply chain, especially scheduled drugs. The primary objective of these squads is to conduct regular and surprise inspections, based on intelligence inputs about illegal drug supply through courier services and online services. By doing so, the department aims to safeguard public health and maintain the integrity of the pharmaceutical market, said an official. The squads are functioning in Chennai and Madurai, and are working with a minimal manpower. Once it is expanded across the state, the department must form a team for two districts. In the administration, every zone has two districts. While the department is handling excess workload with minimal manpower, this initiative may add to the difficulties. We have sent the list of manpower availability and shortage to the headquarters when they started the preliminary works for the project. We expect the department to recruit additional manpower for flying squads, the official added.
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has held that for conviction under charges of criminal conspiracy, it is not necessary that the accused should have direct involvement in the crime or be physically present at the crime scene. A bench of justices G Jayachandran and R Poornima observed so while confirming the conviction of eight persons for the murder of a man in Madurai in 2014 while hearing a batch of appeals filed by them challenging the life sentence imposed by a sessions court in 2022. According to the prosecution, the deceased, Alagarsami, had enmity with the first accused Vijayalingam, who was his relative, over a Karuvelam tree contract. A criminal case was also pending against Alagarsami for allegedly trying to murder Vijayalingam. In August 2014, all ten accused (including Vijayalingams minor son) gathered at Vijayalingams house at the advice of his nephew Neethirajan and planned to murder Alagarsami to put an end to the issue. This was reportedly overheard by one of the witnesses and he advised Alagarsami to settle the issue amicably. However, he decided to take legal recourse. A week later when Alagarsami, his father-in-law, wife and minor daughter were waiting at the bus stop, all the accused except Neethirajan came to the spot and hacked him to death. Based on the statement of one of the accused Niranjan, who was inadvertently injured by another accused during the incident, the police registered two FIRs, one for Alagarsami and another for Niranjan, who died two days later. Hearing the appeals, the judges rejected the contention of the convicts that some of their names were not in the FIR. The FIR is not an encyclopaedia. When the offence is committed in furtherance of a conspiracy which is a crime hatched in secrecy, the law does not expect names of all the accused to be mentioned in the FIR, they said. They also opined that when about 10 persons surround a man and attack him indiscriminately, contradictions among the eye witnesses on minor aspects are bound to happen and the same will not affect the overall evidence incriminating the accused. The judges also added that execution of the crime or physical presence at the time of execution is not required to punish a person for the offence under Section 120 B IPC (punishment for criminal conspiracy).
7,960 candidates appear for NEET-UG exam in Madurai; 262 absent
Minister inaugurates government exhibition in Madurai
Police said following information that the SUV in which the Adheenam was met with an accident at the Salem roundabout near Ulundurpet, a police team rushed to the spot for investigation
Salary of 600 staff delayed amid row over tenure of American college secretary
MADURAI: Around 600 staff members of The American College have not received their April salary yet, as the Department of Collegiate Education (DCE) recently rejected the approval to extend the tenure of the institution's secretary, which ended on January 27. Sources said the signatures of the principal and the secretary were mandatory to forward the salary bills to the regional joint director of the DCE, impeding the disbursal of salary to hundreds of teaching and non-teaching staff. Citing an ongoing DVAC investigation, Commissioner of Collegiate Education E Sundaravalli, in her letter dated April 24, rejected the approval seeking the extension of tenure of the secretary -- M Davamani Christober, who is also the principal of the college -- from January 28 till May 31. Davamani was appointed as the secretary of the college on January 28, 2022. Based on a complaint alleging the secretary of amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) initiated a preliminary investigation against him, following a recent direction on the same by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. The DVAC submitted that the final report in the case would be filed soon. Citing the same, the DCE rejected the approval for the extension of his tenure. A staff member urged the governing council of the college to either select a new principal or appoint a principal-in-charge, so that the salary for the faculty members would be disbursed without delay. Despite repeated attempts, TNIE could not contact the college's governing council president D Jeyasingh Prince Prabakaran.
US journo links Trump success to 94 Contract with America at ACJ event
CHENNAI: The Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) awards for journalism 2024 were announced by a three-member jury at a ceremony at the institute in Chennai on Saturday in the presence of veteran American journalist Norman Pearlstine. While Hemant Gairola won the ACJs award for investigative journalism, the KP Narayana Kumar Memorial Award for Social Impact Journalism was shared by Vandana Menon and Shamsheer Yousaf, Monica Jha and Sriram Vittalamurthy. The Ashish Yechury memorial award for photojournalism was handed over to M Palanikumar. At the event, the institution also announced the website of its alumni association, which was launched by Manoj Kumar Sonthalia, chairman and managing director of The New Indian Express Group (Madurai). Sashi Kumar, chairman of Media Development Foundation that runs ACJ and N Murali, another trustee of the foundation, were present at the event. Pearlstine also delivered the Lawrence Dana Pinkham Memorial lecture 2025 at the event which also hosted the convocation for the 2025 batch of students. Titled When Journalism is the Story, Pearlstine spoke in detail about his journalism career, touching upon his interactions with current President of The United States, Donald Trump. He pointed out how the seeds of Trumps success could be traced to 1994 when Newt Gingrich secured Republican support for his Contract With America, a document signed by members of the Republican minority before the Republican Party gained control of Congress, and the rise of polarising politics. Pearlstine said this also coincided with the onset of irreversible decline in the business model of traditional journalism, triggered by the internet and later social media. Pointing out that American owners of proud news organisations were alarmed by the prospect of Trump controlling institutions like the White House, Congress and Supreme Court, he said they appeared willing to compromise editorial independence to gain favour with him. Drawing parallels, he later wondered how India, the worlds largest democracy, would manage the current Union governments push for greater authoritarian control. He touched upon how Artificial Intelligence (AI) could assist news publishers in saving money by streamlining copy desks and quicker and efficient fact-checking. Debunking theories that AI could replace journalists, he narrated how his ChatGPT-generated obituary mentioned his grieving kids, when he did not have any. Predicting Indias vital role in the Pacific Century, he urged the graduating journalists to help shape Indias potential with objective and truthful journalism.
Sagayam will get security to depose in court, says DGP Shankar Jiwal
CHENNAI: The Director General of Police/Head of Police Force Shankar Jiwal on Saturday assured retired IAS officer U Sagayam will be given adequate security to enable him to testify before court without fear. This comes after Sagayam, a former legal commissioner appointed by Madras High Court, had refused to appear before the special court for Mines and Minerals in Madurai, citing a threat to his life and withdrawal of security provided by the state government. An official release issued by Jiwals office said Sagayams security was withdrawn based on a security committee review held on March 20, 2023. This was because he was not facing any specific threat. However, Sagayam had given a representation to the Chennai Police commissioner on May 30 and in August and October in the same year to the chief secretary requesting security. However, the government told him the security had been withdrawn as there was no specific threat against him.
Spend more time in districts: CM Stalin to ministers
CHENNAI: In a clear message to party workers ahead of the Assembly election next year, DMK president and Chief Minister M K Stalin has said candidates for the polls would be decided by the party high command and that it is the responsibility of the district secretaries to ensure their victory, even as the party condemned the BJP-led union government for misusing central investigating agencies for vendetta politics and vowed to legally face it, apart from taking the issue to the peoples court. In a meeting of the partys district secretaries here on Saturday, Stalin instructed the ministers to spend more time in their districts instead of remaining in Chennai and asked the MLAs to visit every ward and village in their respective constituencies. Stalin told the participants that the partys greatest strength lies in its well-established administrative structure, which extends down to the grassroots level. He stressed on the importance of continuously revitalising this organisational framework over time. The DMK leader alleged that the union government misused its agencies to intimidate parties such as the AIADMK to sign up for an alliance with the BJP. The BJP is making efforts to establish its presence in Tamil Nadu. To achieve this, it has gained control over the AIADMK through coercive tactics. In fact, Edappadi K Palaniswami fears his leadership would become untenable should he reject the alliance with the saffron party, Stalin said. The meeting also adopted four resolutions, including the one condemning the union government which is creating an undeclared Emergency. The resolution read, This meeting condemns the union government for interfering with autonomous institutions, including the judiciary, thereby undermining their independent functioning. It stated that the ED, CBI, and IT departments, the agencies expected to operate impartially, are now being misused by the union government against opposition parties for vendetta politics. This misuse has drawn censure from both the high court and the Supreme Court. The meeting also resolved to confront the BJP-led governments misuse of central probe agencies against DMK functionaries for politically-motivated actions through lawful means and reach out to the people on the abuse of power by the centre and vowed to take on the saffron party and its allies in the hustings. DMK leaders, including K Ponmudy and V Senthil Balaji, are under EDs gaze in connection with separate cases. Stalin said the DMK had faced several trials in its long journey and those who could not politically beat the party would attempt intimidation tactics. Hence, let us politically face the BJPs threats, he said. It also decided to conduct public meetings at 1,244 places across the state to highlight the achievements of the DMKs four-year rule. Also, it was announced that the partys general council meeting will be held in Madurai on June 1. The meeting also passed a resolution condoling the death of innocent civilians at Pahalgam (J&K) and also the recent passing away of Pope Francis.
When every rock tells an artistic story
MADURAI: Ancient art is not simply limited to engravings found on Egypts walls with tales of Pharaohs, or primitive pictographs of Palaeolithic humans hunting animals found in the Peruvian caves. Civilisations across the globe have used art to leave a legacy that breathes on for centuries. While it might look backwards or primitive to the layman, art historians like KT Gandhirajan find these pictographs intricate and nuanced. It is amazing to see rock art paintings in caves where tribes lived almost 2,000 years ago. They have documented their culture, heritage, fauna, social interactions, etc. These paintings are a treasure trove of knowledge, and documenting them gives me joy and motivates me to pursue my journey. Rock art varies from place to place and is paired with meticulous changes such as types of colours and materials used. Every subtlety has a story to tell, he said. Gandhirajan has discovered and documented over 1,000 images of rock art in 80 sites, including tribal and non-tribal areas across the state. The art historian and researcher from Usilampatti in Madurai, with over two decades of experience, takes up rocky paths in his stride, fueled by his passion for rock art works. The researcher, currently with the Tamil Virtual Academy, says, After Class 12, my father tried to enrol me in an engineering college, but I was not able to make it through. I later got admitted to PMT college in Usilampatti for BSc Chemistry. I later pursued an MA in Art History at Madurai Kamaraj University. Gandhirajans love for rock paintings piqued when he moved to the University of Madras in 1995 for his PhD titled Painting Traditions in the Nayak Period. As part of his five-year research, he got a chance to visit 40 temples, including the Srirangam Aranganathaswamy Temple and others in Kumbakonam. Fascinated by temple paintings, he used to click photographs, and write about them for his thesis. Unfortunately, he was unable to complete his PhD, owing to various challenges. This is when I accidentally met Government Fine Arts College Principal Alphonso Arul Doss, and he invited me to take part-time classes for college students. With his support, I started my journey to discover the world of cave rock art. Though I couldnt finish my PhD, my experiences allowed me to forge an interest in the study of rock art, he said. KT Gandhirajan Recounting a horrific experience at Karaikaiyur in Nilgiris in 2004, where he discovered the biggest rock artwork found in Tamil Nadu spanning 400 ft across the rock surface, painted by the Irular tribes Gandhirajan says, In my excitement, I touched a beehive by accident. The bees started chasing me. I got stung by hundreds of bees and fell unconscious. Some Irulars in the area took me to their hut and provided first aid. As my whole body had swollen, they came to the conclusion that I would not survive the night. Luckily, their treatment worked, and I was conscious the next day. Treacherous treks never stood in Gandhirajans way. I went on various expeditions from 2010 to 2014, in search of prehistoric tribal rock art paintings in caves. I visited nearly 20 sites in the hills and discovered over 1,000 images. Most of them were found in Nilgiris, which the Irula and Kurumba tribes have made home, says the researcher, who has also documented rock art paintings by the Mudhuva tribes in Pollachi and the Paliyar tribes in Palani hills. His study extends beyond primitive paintings, which he also pairs with the study of contemporary art to help him dissect the progression in techniques. The rock art paintings in Palani hills use black predominantly, unlike the ones in Nilgiris. Such variations help us understand the ancient people, and portray their social background, agricultural practices, as well as intentions behind such art. I have always compared rock art with works done by contemporary artists, which is crucial in identifying the evolution of artistic technique as well as socio-cultural advancement. There are rock art works which provide evidence for jallikattu, the bull-taming sport held across the state to this day, found in non-tribal areas, he added. Gandhirajan has also authored books Keezhadi-Madurai Sanga Kaala Thamizhar Naagarigam, Essays of Tholliyal - Thamizhar Varalaatru Thadayangal and Eru Thazhuvudhal Jallikkattu. He will soon publish Karikaiyur - Discovery site of Nilgiris Mountain. (Edited by Rohith Sony)
DMK to hold general council meeting on June 1 in Madurai
A resolution to this effect was passed at a meeting of the partys district secretaries at the DMK headquarters on Saturday (May 3, 2025)
Amusement rides can be installed on Vaigai riverbed: Madras High Court
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has permitted installation and operation of amusement rides and other entertainment events on the Vaigai river bed at several places in Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai districts in view of the chithirai festival. A bench of justices G R Swaminathan and B Pugalendhi passed the orders on a batch of petitions seeking the above relief. In a similar petition last year, the court had directed the organisers to conduct the events at alternate places. But petitioners claimed it would only be feasible if the events are conducted on the river bed, in the vicinity of the temple. The authorities objected on the ground that 1,500 cusecs of water would be released from Vaigai dam and would likely reach Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram on May 14. Similar objections were raised with respect to Manamadurai in Sivagangai. Since the petitioners claimed that such events were traditionally permitted and water would not reach the spot where the events have been planned as they are in the upper reaches of the river, the judges granted permission. However, they added authorities should stop the events forthwith if the water reaches the event spots. The bench also warned that in case of any untoward incident, only the organizers would be held responsible and not the state. Use conventional pipes to spray water on Kallalagars idol The HR&CE department has appealed to devotees to use only traditional goat skin bags and conventional pipes to spray water on Kallalagars idol during his procession to Madurai. In a statement, the authorities appealed to devotees not to use pressure pumps or modified pipes to spray water on the idol. Sources said four vahanams of Kallalagar are being readied in view of the procession.
Split verdict in 2012 granite scam case, CJ may assign third judge
MADURAI: A division bench of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has delivered a split verdict on a revision petition filed by one of the accused in the 2012 granite scam, challenging the dismissal of his discharge plea against proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The matter has been referred to the chief justice of the high court for nomination of a third judge to decide the case. The bench comprising Justices GR Swaminathan and R Poornima was hearing a plea by S Nagarajan, one of the directors of Olympus Granites Pvt Ltd. He had challenged the May 2024 order of the II Additional District Judge which refused to discharge him from the case. Justice Poornima observed that there was prima facie material against Nagarajan and noted that courts need not weigh evidence in detail at the stage of framing charges. Only a prima facie connection with the crime is required, she said, and dismissed the revision petition. However, Justice Swaminathan disagreed, stating that the trial courts order lacked proper reasoning . Mere use of stereotyped expressions is not enough. Though the order need not resemble a conviction, it must contain a broad discussion of facts to show why the case should proceed, he said, recommending the order be set aside and the matter remitted to the trial court for fresh consideration. Nagarajan and co-accused Durai Dayanidhi were booked for illegal mining of granite worth Rs 256.44 crore. The ED also filed a complaint before the PMLA special court, which took cognizance in 2020.
Cant appear in court, facing life threat due to removal of security: ex-IAS officer Sagayam
The former bureaucrat has written to the Special Public Prosecutor, Special Court for Mines and Minerals in Madurai, in this regard
Actor Vijays fans, cadre give anxious moments to police at Madurai Airport
VAO held on graft charge in Madurai
Former IAS officer Sahayam writes to CJ seeking restoration of armed security
MADURAI: Stating that his life is in danger, former IAS officer U Sahayam has written to the chief justice of Madras High Court seeking restoration of security which was withdrawn by the state government in May 2023. Sahayam, a former legal commissioner and special officer of the HC who exposed the granite scam in Tamil Nadu in 2014, told TNIE that he did not appear before the Special Court for Mines and Minerals in Madurai on March 26 to provide evidence against the accused in the case due to security concerns. As per the HCs direction in 2016, I was provided security by armed personnel since these cases are high profile and involved loss of several thousand crores of rupees to the state exchequer. But the security was withdrawn in May 2023. I feel this was biased and unfair, he said. The Special Court for Mines and Minerals in Madurai issued summons to provide evidence against those accused of illegal granite mining and asked me to appear on March 26. I wrote a letter to the public prosecutor about my inability to visit Madurai due to security concerns, he added. So far, I have not received a response from the state government, and I am upset. Explaining my situation, I wrote a 10- page letter to the chief justice on April 29 and have also sought restoration of security, he added.
Actor and TVK party leader Vijay clarified during a press interaction at Chennai airport that his visit to Madurai was for the shoot of his final film Jana Nayagan, not for political purposes. Despite his public appeal urging fans to avoid following him on bikes without helmets, large crowds gathered in Madurai, causing traffic disruptions and safety concerns. Videos showed fans celebrating recklessly, ignoring Vijays repeated requests to prioritise safety.
Actor Vijay gets a rousing welcome in Madurai
Changes in train services in Madurai division
Vijay Makes a Farce of His Maiden Airport Press Meet
Making a farce of his maiden airport media rendezvous, founder of the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam and Tamil actor Vijay recited by rote a message for his fans and followers in Madurai standing at the gates of the Chennai airport and walked away, without responding to queries, to board the waiting special flight on Thursday.
Heavy security deployment for May 8 Meenakshi Kalyanam in TNs Madurai - tennews.in
Heavy security deployment for May 8 Meenakshi Kalyanam in TNs Madurai tennews.in
Sewage from Panthalkudi flows into Vaigai as STP yet to start functioning
MADURAI: Sewage continues to flow into the Vaigai river through the Panthalkudi channel as a sewage treatment plant that has been installed on the banks is yet to start functioning. With chithirai festival commencing, activists have urged the Madurai city municipal to prevent sewage flow into the river. Meanwhile, several departments have started preparatory works in the Vaigai river for the festival. The WRD department is removing invasive plants at Kalpalam and Thenur Mandapam in the Vaigai river, to facilitate free flow of water for Kallalagar entry into the river, which is scheduled on May 12. When contacted, senior officials from the WRD department said a special drive is under way to clear the invasive plants in the river especially near Kalpalam and Thennur Mandabam. Officials added that in view of the Kallalagar festival, water would be released from Vaigai dam on May 08. M Rajan of Vaigai Makkal Iyakkam, said, Several thousands of people would enter the river during Kallalagar;s procession. Currently, 8 MLD untreated sewage is released through the Panthalkudi canal into the river near AV Bridge. This would cause health issues to devotees. The corporation should start operating the STP or install long pipelines and release the sewage far away from where the event takes place. Speaking to TNIE, Chitra Vijayan, city corporation commissioner, said the 2 MLD Panthalkudi STP work has been completed and the plant would be commissioned soon. This will prevent untreated sewage from entering the river, she added. To prevent water hyacinth from flowing into the bridge area, the WRD department has placed a boom near the bridge, she added. District collector M S Sangeetha along with city corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan and other officials inspected the Kallalagar procession route from Tallakulam to Vaigai river on Wednesday.
Infant abandoned on train admitted to shelter home in Salem
SALEM: The railway police rescued an eight-month-old boy at the Salem railway station in the early hours of Wednesday. At Madurai railway station one unidentified passenger handed over the baby boy to another passenger, Veeramani, telling him that he would be back after getting a water bottle. However, the person failed to claim the baby even after the Nagercoil to Bangalore train ( No 17236) in which they were travelling, reached the Dindigul station, said railway police. Veeramani, who is working as an assistant director in the Kollywood industry, alerted the railway helpline 139. Based on the information, Sub-Inspector Kothandapani and First-Grade Woman Police Constable Ramya received the boy from Veeramani at the Salem Railway Station at 3.30am and handed over the boy to the District Child Welfare Officer at 4am. Currently, the boy is under care at a government-approved home in Salem. Sources in the district administration say that no one has approached to claim the boy until Wednesday evening.
Bull gores tamer to death in Madurai
Madurai couple found dead in Velankanni lodge
Build Expo in Madurai from May 2nd to 4th; All under one roof in 130 stalls from construction to interiors, FREE ENTRANCE Lotus Times | Madurai
Madurai's chithirai festival begins, Meenakshi Kalyanam on May 8
MADURAI: The annual chithirai festival commenced on Tuesday with the traditional flag hoisting ceremony at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai. Preceding the ceremony, Vasthu Shanthi rituals were performed. The flag was hoisted on the mast inside the temple in the presence of processional deities of Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi, at 10:48 am. The event was attended by Collector M S Sangeetha, Police Commissioner J Loganathan, Fit Person Rukmini Palanivel Rajan, and other dignitaries. In the evening, the deities were taken in a procession through the chithirai streets. Some of the upcoming events in the festival include Pattabishekam on May 6, Thirukalyanam (celestial wedding) on May 8, and the car procession on May 9. The Thiruvizha on May 7 will feature Tiruvijayam (Victory Procession). Temple authorities said, the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi with Lord Sundareswarar will take place between 8:35 am and 8:59 am on May 8. Devotees wishing to attend can register in the temple website (maduraimeenakshi.hrce.tn.gov.in) for tickets priced at Rs 200 and Rs 500. Registration is open until 9 pm on May 2. Ticket allocation will be done through a lottery system, and selected devotees will be notified via SMS. They must present the message at the temple office by 5 pm on May 6 and make the payment in person. Water from the Vaigai dam is expected to be released into the river on May 8 to facilitate Kallalagars entry. Media barred from covering flag hoisting For the first time, media photographers and videographers were denied permission to cover the flag hoisting ceremony held at the Arimigu Mennakshi Sunderswarar Temple, on Tuesday. Every year, media persons are allowed to take photos and videos of key events inside the temple. On Tuesday morning, when media personnel arrived, police stopped them, saying permission had not been given. Following this, a minor scuffle followed. Later, the district administration shared pictures through a WhatsApp group. An official said the temple management requested restrictions due to space issues and crowding problems the temple had faced in previous years. However, the media will be allowed to cover the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar on May 8. Madurai collector urges donors to register for Chithirai festival; corporation inspects preparations
Tamil Nadu colleges collected Rs 23 crores excess fee in 2021-2024: CAG
CHENNAI: The CAG, in its compliance audit report tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday, said government aided and private arts and science colleges have collected excess application fees, more than prescribed norms, from students. The report mentioned that due to failure of joint directorates of collegiate education and state government in monitoring compliance of fees collection as per government guidelines, several government aided and self-financing colleges collected extra fees amounting to Rs 23.14 crore from 2021 to 2024. The report said that as per guidelines, application fee of Rs 48 and Rs 58 for UG and PG courses respectively and registration fee of Rs 2 alone should be collected from students. However, scrutiny of records (July 2021) maintained by the Joint Directorate of Collegiate Education (JDCE), Chennai and Tirunelveli Regions (April 2022) and data collected from 95 government aided/self-financing colleges functioning under the eight regional offices of the JDCE (Chennai, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Madurai, Thanjavur, Tiruchy, Tirunelveli and Vellore) revealed that excess fees had been collected. From 2021 to 2024, excess application fee between Rs 50 and Rs 545 was collected from 1,29,579 applicants (other than SC/ST category) instead of the government rate of Rs 48 and Rs 58.
IWN Madurai chapter launched in city
Tamil Nadu: 4-year-old girl falls into 15-feet-deep open water tank in Kindergarten school, dies
In a tragic incident, a four-year-old girl student, died after she accidentally fell into an open water sump at a private kindergarten school at K.K.Nagar locality in Madurai on Tuesday.
Four-year-old girl drowns in water tank at private school in Madurai
Sources said the water tank was left open when the incident occurred
Four-year-old girl drowns in water storage tank at kindergarten in Madurai
MADURAI: A three-and-a-half-year-old girl drowned in a water storage tank during a summer daycare camp at a private kindergarten school in KK Nagar of Madurai on Tuesday. The incident came to light around 11 am when school staff searched for the missing girl, A Aarudhra from Uthangudi, and they found her lifeless body in the tank near the ground-floor toilet. The exact circumstances of her death are unclear, but police believe she accidentally slipped into the open water storage tank, which stands 2 meters high and 8 meters depth. Despite being rushed to a private hospital, the girl was declared dead. The police have detained the school correspondent, Vidhya, and a few more teachers for further inquiry and have shifted the body for post-mortem examination. An investigation has been launched by the Anna Nagar police.
Consider plea seeking murder charge in encounter death
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday directed Madurai city police commissioner to consider a plea from a 55-year-old man seeking registration of murder case against a police inspector who had shot dead his son V Subash Chandra Bose (29) in an alleged encounter on April 1. In his petition, N Veerapathiran (55) also sought CBCID probe into his sons death. Justice P Dhanabal directed the commissioner to consider the plea and take a decision about registering FIR as per NHRC guidelines, within two weeks. Veerapathiran said his son Bose was falsely implicated in the murder of Kaleeswaran alias Glamour Kali on March 22. Though Bose, allegedly at the advice of police, had gone to Chennai for work, a special team arrested him on March 30 and brought him to Madurai. They kept him under illegal detention and tortured him. On April 1, inspector Boominathan of Jaihindpuram police station filed a complaint in which it was stated that Bose tried to escape in a car, following which the police chased after him and shot him in self defence. Though an FIR has been registered against Bose in this regard, it has not been uploaded in the polices official website, Veerapathiran alleged.
Weekly-off for cops must, govt will face contempt if it fails to comply, says Madras HC
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday ordered strict implementation of 2021 G.O granting compulsory weekly off to constables and head constables, warning that contempt proceedings would be initiated against officers who fail to comply. Justice Battu Devanand passed the order on a petition filed by M Senthil Kumar, a head constable at the Austinpatti station in Madurai, who alleged that the government order was not being properly implemented. Observing that the issue concerns not just one individual but thousands of police personnel across the state, the judge said vague claims of compliance made by the state government could not be accepted. The government had contended that weekly or fortnightly offs were being given to police personnel in all districts. Additional advocate general Veera Kathiravan argued that the petition should be treated as a public interest litigation (PIL), as the petitioner has raised the grievances of other police personnel, which is not maintainable in service matters. Therefore, the petition itself was not maintainable, he submitted. However, the judge noted that there was no association in Tamil Nadu to represent the grievances of police personnel. In such a situation, it is unreasonable to expect every police personnel to approach the court individually to seek the benefit of weekly off, he said. The judge pointed out that the governments decision to grant compulsory weekly off was intended to allow constables, head constables, special sub-inspectors and sub-inspectors to safeguard their health and spend time with their families. While the decision is laudable, ineffective implementation is depriving police personnel of its benefits, the judge observed. The government had issued a G.O. on November 3, 2021, sanctioning one day weekly off for police personnel up to the rank of head constable. A similar G.O. was issued the following year for sub-inspectors and special sub-inspectors. But the petitioner alleged that both the orders have not come into force till now.
Trust in CBI eroding due to lopsided probes: Madras High Court
MADURAI: Observing that public trust in the CBI has eroded due to lopsided investigations, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday suggested a series of measures to revamp the agencys investigation process and restore its credibility. Justice KK Ramakrishnan recommended that the CBI director directly supervise investigations to ensure proper inclusion of accused in FIRs and final reports and to monitor the collection and omission of evidence. He also urged the director to appoint a legal team within the agency to guide officers on legal principles and to prevent registration of innocuous cases. Justice Ramakrishnan made the observations while acquitting eight persons, including a former chief manager of a Tirunelveli bank, who were convicted in 2019 for allegedly defrauding the bank of Rs 2 crore by sanctioning and availing loans in violation of guidelines. The judge noted that the bank had conducted inspections long after the loans were settled, resulting in no actual loss. Despite this, the CBI registered a case and filed a final report without considering the facts, he pointed out.
CCB completes probe in 94 per cent cases booked in last sixteen months
CHENNAI: The Central Crime Branch (CCB) of Greater Chennai Police (GCP) has registered 1,005 cases from January 2024 till date of which probe has been completed in 948 cases, an official release said on Monday. The CCB is a crucial arm of GCP tackling cases of cyber crime, economic offences, organised crimes and other serious criminal activities. It is currently headed by additional commissioner A Radhika IPS. During this 16-month period, the CCB has arrested 747 people, including 11 cyber criminals, from other states and also secured 121 convictions. As many as 88 suspects were placed under preventive detention, while 707 non-bailable warrants (NBWs) were executed successfully. The CCB has handled 8,145 petitions from the public, of which action was taken on 6,023. Some of the important cases handled by the CCB in the last 16 months include the crackdown on a fake passport racket where two agents from Madurai were arrested, a conviction in a Rs 2.75-crore temple land fraud case, the arrest of an accused in a Rs 10.6-crore international sugar export scam and a Rs 67-crore embezzlement by a former chief business officer of an international school.
Railway loco running staff stage demonstration in Madurai
Special trains to clear rush during holidays
These trains will run between SMVT Bengaluru-Belagavi, Vijayapura-SMVT Bengaluru and SMVT Bengaluru-Madurai
Conservancy workers unions demand revised summer work hours after man dies on duty in Madurai
Manivel reportedly fainted due to the heat while removing garbage from a locality in Ward 5 of Madurai Corporation, and in the process, hit his head on a stone
Tender coconut stalls by farmers to open at five railway stations in Madurai division
MADURAI: In a first, Southern Railway has allowed farmers to set up tender coconut stalls on platforms at five prominent stations in the Madurai railway division. The stalls are likely to be opened this week. The initiative, which will benefit passengers during the summer season and farmers, is part of one station one product (OSOP) concept, which aims to promote indigenous products, crafts, and local entrepreneurship. Currently, there are 44 OSOP shops at 33 railway stations in the Madurai division. Encouraged by their success, railways has now permitted tender coconut sales at Madurai, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Dindigul, and Thoothukudi stations. Though sufficient drinking water facilities are available at railway stations, tender coconut remains a popular choice among passengers during summer, thanks to its natural cooling properties and health benefits. A farmer has been shortlisted for the scheme in Madurai, while selections for the other four stations are pending. Depending on passenger demand, more locations may be considered for tender coconut stalls, said an official. The shopkeeper, preferably a farmer or from an economically weaker background, will have to pay Rs 1,000 for a 15-day permit. The permission for running the tender coconut stalls will be valid for two-three months. Prices of tender coconuts will be fixed according to local market rates. The railway officers will conduct regular checks to ensure compliance.
Steel bridges to ease trek to Sathuragiri temple; ensure safety from flash floods
VIRUDHUNAGAR: Its quite a trek to reach the famous Sundara Mahalingam Swamy Temple situated on top of the Sathuragiri Hills, with the fear of flash floods only adding to the woes. But it wont be an uphill struggle for the devotees in near future, according to HR&CE officials, as walking the long and tiring distance will be made easier with the likely coming of seven steel bridges across streams along the 7-km trekking path which will also keep the fear of potential flash floods at bay. Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) officials told TNIE that forest clearance for the project is in its final stages and once approved it will pave the way for the construction to begin. M Karthik, Joint Commissioner, HR&CE, told TNIE that they anticipate the clearance process to be completed within one or two months. Once we receive the clearance, bridge construction will commence and is expected to be completed within six to nine months. The bridges will be able to withstand heavy rainfall and animal movement, he said. The temple is accessible via three trekking entry points from the foothills of Sathuragiri Thaniparai in Virudhunagar district which involves a seven-km trek, Valaithoppu in Madurai (four and a half-km trek) and Varusanadu in Theni (14-km trek). Along the way, the devotees have to cross seven streams to reach the temple. On regular days, water in these streams is about one to one-and-a-half feet deep. But during heavy rain, it can rise up to seven feet, causing flash floods that may take at least two days to subside. Official data reveal that since 2012 there have been at least 18 flash flood incidents in the streams which had left 11,740 devotees stranded and resulted in the deaths of 10 pilgrims. The most devastating incident occurred in 2015, when eight devotees died in a sudden flood. In response, authorities put a cap on pilgrimages to four days a month on new moon, full moon, and pradosham days and imposed additional restrictions based on weather forecasts. Still, sudden unseasonal rain continues to pose a challenge, an HR & CE official said. Besides devotees, many tourists also visit the temple, and there is a sense of fear among the trekkers because of flash flood incidents. There has been a long-standing demand for a safe pathway for them during the climb, said B Kandhasamy, a devotee from Rajapalayam. To mitigate such risks, the HR&CE department had proposed building steel bridges across the vulnerable stretches. During the 2022-23 state Assembly session, Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a `9-crore allocation for infrastructure improvement at Sathuragiri, located within the Saptur Reserve Forest, including the construction of the bridges to prevent flash flood tragedies. Following this announcement, tenders were floated and HR&CE officials sought forest clearance from the state government, and wildlife clearance from the Union ministry. Of the seven streams, four including Palamarathu Karuppasamy odai , Vellai paraai odai and Sundaramahalingam temple odai are under HR&CEs jurisdiction, while the remaining three Mangani odai, Ezhumbu odai and Sangilikaruppu odai- are under the control of the forest department, the official added. In addition to the bridges, five handrails will also be installed along the steep stretches to assist devotees during the climb.
Believe yourself: how kids from a Madurai hamlet have taken over Instagram
Believe yourself: how kids from a Madurai hamlet have taken over Insta
Over one lakh footfall recorded at trade fair in Madurai
Special trains between Madurai and Bengaluru
Manjolai workers appeal to TN government against forceful eviction; seek time till disposal of SLP
MADURAI: Former Manjolai tea estate workers appealed to the state government not to force them to leave the estate till the disposal of their special leave petition (SLP) by the Supreme Court, in which they have sought better rehabilitation measures than the one currently being offered to them by the state. Addressing media persons at the office of the NGO, People's Watch, on Saturday, the workers said they are ready to obey the High Court's order and have no intention to remain at the estate. But the authorities call each worker individually over phone, demanding them to leave the estate in threatening tones, they alleged. The fact remains that we have lost our livelihood and are being uprooted and made to adapt to a place which is entirely different from the habitat in which we were born and raised. Every part of our lifestyle will change, including the weather in which we lived, the type of clothes we wore, the food we ate, etc. All we ask is to let us live with dignity, said, A John Kennedy, one of the workers. Manjolai estate turns ghost town as ex-tea workers moved to plains The government is undertaking the rehabilitation measures in a mechanical manner without understanding the basic needs of the workers, advocate I Robert Chandra Kumar said. Instead of being separated and made to relocate to different places, they want the state to allot them a separate locality - a 'samatthuvapuram'- where they all can live together without caste and religious differences, just as how they lived in the estate, he added. The workers want the state government to pay them Rs 25 lakh each under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund, executive director of People's Watch Henri Tiphagne said. The authorities are under the wrong impression that the workers are trying to remain at the estate eternally, he added. In their SLP, the workers seek rights to visit the burial ground in the Manjolai hills, to pay respects at the graves of their ancestors from time to time. This itself would prove that they are willing to leave the estate, Robert pointed out. Minister K N Nehru assures Manjolai tea estate workers demands will be fulfilled
Decide on customs to be followed in Uthapuram temple: Madras High Court
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court recently directed the Joint Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department, Dindigul, to initiate suo motu proceedings to decide on the customs or form of worship at the Muthalamman and Mariamman temple of Uthapuram village in Madurai, which was previously closed for over a decade due to communal disharmony. A bench of justices G Jayachandran and R Poornima gave the direction while disposing of an appeal filed by the Madurai collector, challenging an order passed by a single judge of the court to reopen the temple for worship in July last year, on the ground that it may lead to communal riots and law and order problem. The judges observed that the main dispute between the parties - Pallar and Pillaimar Community- is related to the form of worship of the 'Thala Virutcham', a peepul tree located within the temple premises. After an elaborate hearing, the two parties reached a mutual understanding regarding the worship of both the deity as well as the tree and filed separate affidavits that they will merely go around the tree without lighting lamps or touching the tree in any matter. The affidavits give an impression that the villagers are willing to worship at the temple peacefully, provided there are no restrictions imposed by either side. The judges noted, adding that this clears the apprehensions raised by the authorities that allowing public worship in the above temple would cause law and order issues. The judges therefore disposed of the appeal by directing the authorities to ensure that the public, irrespective of caste, community or place of residence, are able to access the temple and worship the deity without any restrictions. The authorities also should not prevent Pillaimar community members from administering the temple, they added. They further directed the Dindigul joint commissioner to initiate suo motu proceedings, after receiving the collector's request, and take a decision within a year, regarding the customs needed to be followed while worshipping at the temple, by issuing notice to all stakeholders. The Uthapuram village had experienced a series of communal riots in the past and has even seen the erection and demolition of an 'untouchability wall'. Nearly 94 criminal cases have been registered so far, owing to the said communal riots in the village, the additional advocate general said. After a dispute arose between the two communities regarding the form of worship, the temple was shut for over 10 years, till the single judge's order.
Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin unveils startup summit logo
CHENNAI: Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday launched the logo and website for the Tamil Nadu Global Startup Summit (TNGSS) 2025, set to be held in Coimbatore, as the state seeks to boost its startup ecosystem. Dates for the summit at CODISSIA, Coimbatore, will be announced soon, according to a release. The summit, organised by the Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (StartupTN) under the MSME Department, aims to position the state as a global startup hub. The event is expected to attract more than 30,000 participants, including startups, investors, universities, and policymakers from India and abroad. Tamil Nadu, which has seen the number of startups registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) rise from 2,032 in 2021 to over 10,800 (till today), is targeting to become a $1 trillion economy by 2030, the release said. To realise the vision of ensuring distributed growth across the state, regional hubs have been established over the past four years in 10 districts Chennai, Madurai, Erode, Tirunelveli, Hosur, Salem, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Coimbatore and Trichy the release said. The summit will feature a large-scale startup expo with more than 750 stalls representing sectors such as SpaceTech, climate change management, electric vehicle technology, AgriTech, and artificial intelligence. Government departments, corporates, and incubators will also participate, the release said.
Youth who contracted rabies after stray cat bite ends life in Madurai GRH
MADURAI: A 25-year-old man, who contracted rabies after getting bitten by a stray cat, died by suicide at the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) isolation cell here on Saturday, the police said. The deceased has been identified as A Balamurugan, a resident of Maruthupandi Street in Avaniyapuram. Police said that a few weeks ago, Balamurugan was bitten by a stray cat. Though he immediately took a tetanus toxoid (TT) injection, he developed symptoms of rabies. Without knowing this, he was admitted to a private hospital for anxiety and other reasons. Later, when the hospital diagnosed him with rabies, he was immediately shifted to the GRH isolation cell. However, on Sunday morning, he was found dead. Balamurugans family members stated that he had not even informed them about the cat bite on time and was also found upset after being diagnosed with rabies. A doctor from GRH stated that an anti-rabies shot is important even after a cat bite. Pet owners should make sure that their animals are given the vaccine. (Assistance for those having suicidal thoughts is available on TN helpline 104 and Sneha helpline at 044-24640050.)
UN-linked body has recommended for downgrading NHRC's accreditation: NGO
MADURAI: The Sub Committee of Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), a Geneva-based, UN-linked body, has recommended downgrading the accreditation of India's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to 'B' from 'A', expressing concerns over its independence and effectiveness in conforming with international norms, said Henri Tiphagne, the executive director of NGO People's Watch, on Saturday. Addressing media persons in Madurai, Tiphagne said the NHRC involving police officers in its investigations, lack of transparency in other appointments, and failure in addressing various human rights violations are reasons cited for the commissions downgrade. Though the SCA of GANHRI stated it gave several chances to the NHRC to rectify the above issues by deferring its accreditation for two consecutive years, it added sufficient steps were not taken to implement the suggestions. Calling it a big blow to the country and the commission, Tiphagne blamed the inaction of the commission during the chairmanship of Justices HL Dattu and Arun Mishra. The NHRC has appealed against the decision and the same is pending, he added. Tiphagne, however, expressed hope that the current chairman, Justice V Ramasubramanian, would do the needful to retain the 'A' status. Meanwhile, the SCA stated in its report that as per GANHRI statutes, a recommendation to downgrade does not take effect for a period of one year. This allows an opportunity for the NHRC to provide the documentary evidence necessary to establish its continued conformity with the Paris Principles, it added.
Councillors from Vijayawada Corporation visit Madurai, interact with Mayor, officials
TET-passed candidates in Tamil Nadu await a job for over ten years
MADURAI: Even after qualifying the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), thousands of people with diplomas in elementary education (D Ed) have been waiting for over a decade for a government job. Not one of the thousands of primary school teacher vacancies across the State were filled since 2013. While teachers' associations claimed the state government needs to recruit 12,000 more teachers across the primary schools, prominent sources from the Directorate of Elementary Education said nearly 6,000 posts across the state are lying vacant. On November 15, 2011, the state made the TET qualification mandatory, besides the D Ed prerequisite, for working as a primary teacher in government and government-aided schools. Speaking to TNIE, A Aadhilakshmi, who qualified TET in 2012, said with no recruitment made by the government, she was forced to work at a private school for a paltry pay of Rs 5,000 a month. Like me, several thousands who qualified TET face challenges in leading their lives, many of whom have crossed the age of 45, with their hopes of securing a government job diminishing day by day, she said, adding that the government made an announcement in 2023 to fill 6,555 vacancies, which was scaled down to 2,768 in 2024. She claimed that the State conducted another test on July 21, 2024, to further filter the candidates, but none of the 24,700 people who cleared the test have been recruited so far. She appealed to the chief minister to look into the issue and take steps to fill the vacancies soon. Tamil Nadu Primary Teachers Association district secretary P Srinivasan told TNIE that the association submitted multiple petitions in this regard to the government. At present, the state needs to recruit more than 12,000 teachers in primary schools across the state, he said. The directorate of elementary education manages the vacancies by appointing those who qualified TET in temporary positions for consolidated salaries ranging between Rs 5,000 and Rs 7,000 a month, except for May. The pay does not even meet the requirements of the Minimum Wages (Tamil Nadu) Rules. Equal work, paltry pay -- it is against social justice, he said, urging the government to fill the vacancies without delay. A senior official from the directorate of elementary education said that a total of around 6,000 posts lie vacant, which have been managed by appointing temporary teachers either through the School Management Committee (SMC) or the Parent-Teacher Association. Moreover, compared to the teacher-student ratio of 1:30, there are not enough students across government primary schools, which is also the reason for not filling the vacancies permanently. Nearly 2,500 vacancies will be filled soon. The Teachers Recruitment Board will initiate the certificate verification and process soon, added the official.
CHENNAI: Law Minister S Regupathy on Saturday introduced a Bill to further amend the Goondas Act, 1982, to punish those who dump bio-medical waste into Tamil Nadu from the neighbouring States. Accordingly, the Minister introduced a Bill to amend the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Cyberlaw offenders, Drug offenders, Forest-offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders, Sand-offenders, Sexual-offenders, Slum-grabbers and Video Pirates Act, 1982, commonly known as the Goondas Act, 1982. It is also known as Act 14 of 1982. This Act allows the state to detain individuals without trial, preventing them from engaging in dangerous activities prejudicial to the maintenance of public order. Though the Agenda of the State Assembly for April 26 mentioned that Minister for Electricity, Prohibition and Excise, V Senthil Balaji, would introduce the above amendment Bill, Law Minister S Regupathy introduced it. It assumed significance since there are expectations that Balaji may step down as minister within a day or two, according to the recent verdict of the Supreme Court. On the objectives and reasons for the amendment, the Bill said Chief Minister MK Stalin, while moving the demand for grants for the police department for 2024-2025, announced that to control the activities of persons indulging in economic offences, they will be detained under the above Act and it would be amended suitably. Further, the improper disposal of bio-medical waste poses grave risks to public health and the environment. There are frequent complaints about the dumping of such waste in Tamil Nadu from the neighbouring States. The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court in its order dated November 15, 2023, observed that it is the right time to book the violators of the Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 by bringing suitable amendments, the Bill added. The Bill also said the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, were repealed and re-enacted as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, respectively. Hence, certain consequential amendments are required to be made in the said Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982.
Tamil Nadu MPs raise key rail concerns in meeting with Southern Railway GM
MADURAI: A total of 11 MPs representing constituencies in the southern and central districts as well as from Kerala deliberated on various matters like the safety commission report on the Pamban bridge and the status of the Madurai-Aruppukottai-Thoothukudi railway line with Southern Railway General Manager RN Singh during a meeting convened in Madurai on Thursday. Addressing media persons, MP SU Venkatesan said the railway has started transliterating Hindi words in Tamil and English instead of a translation, which is in violation of the Official Languages Act. He demanded action against the authorities behind the move. He said he also demanded a written explanation from the railways on the safety commission report that he said mentioned less safety for the Pamban bridge and for Vande Bharat trains. He also questioned BJP leader K Annamalais presence in an official meeting by the railway minister ahead of the inauguration of the Pamban bridge. Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore wanted the railway to clarify on the status of the Madurai-Aruppukottai-Thoothukudi railway line, which he said is important for the development of the locality. The MEMU service between Madurai-Theni, Madurai-Virudhunagar, Madurai- Dindigul and a few more areas are also need of the hour, he added. MP Vaiko from the MDMK stressed for the reopening of the Karivalam Vantha Nallur station in Tirunelveli. He also stated that the MPs who took part in the meeting insisted stoppage at stations where the trains earlier stopped. They also demanded operation of new trains and in new routes. Citing the increasing patronage in the Tirunelveli-Chennai route, Tirunelveli MP C Robert Bruce in the meeting with the Southern Railway GM demanded the introduction of a new daily train or one similar to the Nellai Express. He also sought extension of the Madurai - Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express up till Tirunelveli.
Two convicts hurl insults at judge, break court windows
MADURAI: Soon after their conviction in a ganja peddling case, a pair of siblings hurled abuses at the judge and the police in the combined district court complex in Madurai on Thursday evening. They also damaged the glass panes in the office of the special court while being escorted out of the court hall by the police, sources said. The duo has been identified as A Pandiyarajan (23) and A Jacky alias Prashanth (22). They along with Pandiyarajan's wife Saranya (20) had been booked by the Keerathurai police for smuggling 25 kg ganja in March 2024. On Thursday, when they were produced before the 1st Additional Special Judge for trial of cases under the NDPS Act, Judge AS Hariharakumar pronounced them guilty and imposed 12 years RI with a fine of one lakh rupees each. Upon hearing this, the irate duo vandalised the office of the special court on their way out of the court hall. Even as they were restrained, they continued to hurl insults at the judge and the police and also threatened to kill the judge when they come out of jail. As none of the staff was near the windows at that time, none except the two siblings sustained injuries. The Anna Nagar police are investigating.
Southern Railway GM non-committal on Thoothukudi-Madurai new railway line project, says Congress MP
AIIMS Madurai Junior Resident, Senior Resident Recruitment 2025 - Apply Online for 09 Posts
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS Madurai) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 09 Junior Resident, Senior Resident posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official AIIMS Madurai website. The last date to submit the application form is 11-05-2025.
Chithirai festival: Madurai City Police to remove encroachments around Meenakshi temple
Surveyor held for taking bribe in Madurai
Madras HC imposes Rs 75,000 cost on man for attempting to block property tax hike in Kodaikanal
MADURAI: Dismissing a plea moved by a man seeking to prevent the Kodaikanal municipality in Dindigul district from collecting enhanced property tax for his building, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recently imposed a cost of Rs 75,000 on the litigant for attempting to hinder the revenue collection of a local body. A division bench of Justices G Jayachandran and S Srimathy made the direction in a plea filed by Baskar Vincent. The judges stated that the petitioner claimed to be the owner of a residential building for which property tax was fixed as Rs 13,398. Aggrieved over the municipalitys recent tax hike, he challenged the general revision. The counsel of the Kodaikanal municipality stated that the local bodies provide for appeal if any assessee is aggrieved by enhancement of property tax. If at all the petitioner is aggrieved by the revision, he has to take recourse to the statutory remedy, and the public interest litigation is hence an abuse of the process of law, it stated. On perusal of the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition, the court said that it is the private interest of the writ petitioner which is projected as a public interest with an intention to stall the process of collecting revenue. Under the guise of residential premises, he had converted the property in the hills of Kodaikanal into a commercial building by letting it out for homestay purposes. By camouflaging his grievance under the garb of a PIL, an attempt is made to prevent the economic flow of the local body, the court added, before directing the petitioner to pay Rs 75,000 to the Kodaikanal municipality.
Madras HC orders case against TN minister Ponmudy over alleged hate speech
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Wednesday ordered initiation of a suo motu case against Minister for Forests K Ponmudy for his alleged derogatory speech against Saivism, Vaishnavism and women. Justice N Anand Venkatesh slammed the state police for staying motionless for not taking action against the minister even after the court had directed the department to do so. Finding the ministers speech prima facie a hate speech, Justice Venkatesh issued the orders to initiate the suo motu case. He directed the registry to register the case and place it before the Chief Justice for further action. Justice Venkatesh said the comments made by Ponmudy are completely derogatory of women and deliberately spew venom on Saivism and Vaishnavism and wounds the religious sentiments of people of these two sects. Citing the Supreme Courts orders on hate speech and registration of automatic FIR against persons who make such speeches, the judge said police have to follow the orders of the apex court because there would be zero tolerance towards hate speech.Senior counsel P Wilson, representing TN police, told the court that a preliminary inquiry was held on two complaints and were closed after finding that no prima facie case was made out while two petitions filed in the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court were disposed of for want of materials. Vikas Singh, another senior counsel representing Ponmudy, submitted that only a truncated version of the speech, which was delivered in a closed door meeting, was circulated and the minister was only recollecting what was spoken 40 years ago. On April 17, Justice Venkatesh issued an ultimatum to the police to register a case by April 23 and warned of taking up suo contempt of court case if the department failed to act.
Madurai goes green: bamboo bins debut at meenakshi temple for chithirai festival
Storm water drains to be constructed in Madurai at a cost of 3,371 crores in phases
Coconut farmers in Madurai flag pest attack, officials say it is not widespread
MADURAI: Coconut farmers across Madurai are grappling with severe Rugose Spiralling Whitefily (RSWF) pest attack, which has significantly reduced yield. The farmers have urged the Tamil Nadu government to conduct a detailed study on the issue to prevent it from further spreading in the district. However, the horticulture department has downplayed the situation, claiming that the impact is minimal in the district. Coconut cultivation spans approximately 10,200 hectares in the district. Over the past few months, the RSWF pest has reportedly infested several part of Madurai, with farmers alleging crop damage despite awareness programmes conducted by the horticulture department. Speaking to TNIE, N Arun, a coconut farmer from Kottampatti said, Four years ago, such pest attack was reported and now from old trees to six-month-old plants have been again affected by the RSWF pests. Usually, we would harvest coconut eight times a year, but this year we can hardly harvest three times. Proper study has to be done and preventive measures have to be taken to address this issue. Arun also pointed out the financial burden of suggested pest control methods. Using yellow sticky traps and other solutions costs around Rs 200350. The government should offer subsidies to help farmers adopt these measures, he added. However, the horticulture department officials stated that there is no major outbreak caused and the department is conducting block level awareness programmes to emphasise the farmers about the preventive measures to control the pest issues. Dr K Suresh, Associate Professor of Entomology at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Agricultural College, Madurai, confirmed the presence of RSWF in parts of the district. The pest has particularly affected dwarf and hybrid varieties more than tall coconut trees. These sap-sucking insects feed on the leaves and weaken the trees. It is a preventable pest and farmers can install yellow sticky traps in trees, use water spray in lower leaf and use 5 ml of Neem oil spray to prevent the pest attack.
Five sentenced to 12 years in jail in Dindigul ganja smuggling case
MADURAI: The 1st Additional Special Court for NDPS Act cases in Madurai awarded 12 years rigorous imprisonment to five people for smuggling 215 kg of ganja in Dindigul in 2019. The accused were identified as M Bose (68), his son Manimaran (40), S Nagarajan (36), S Selvi (46) and S Murugan (44). The prosecution alleged that the above five people had planned to buy ganja at a low rate and sell it for a higher price. They bought 215 kg ganja from Boses relatives and brought it to his home in two-wheelers, where they had reportedly made small parcels from the ganja to sell it in other districts. On December 6, 2017, the Dindigul Taluk police, based on a tip off, inspected Boses house and found the parcels in a shed in front of his house. The five were arrested and the ganja parcels were seized. Three others, including Boses relatives A Ravi and his brother Gubendran, were also arrested. 1st Additional Special Judge A S Hariharakumar found all the five individuals guilty and sentenced them to 12 years rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh. However, Ravi, Gubendran and their associate C Siva were acquitted from the case due to lack of evidence. Meanwhile, in a separate case, the judge convicted and sentenced a history sheeter A Karthick (27) to 10 years RI with Rs 1 lakh fine for smuggling 225 kg ganja in Madurai in July 2017. Three others, including his father P Ayyampillai, who was recently convicted by the court in an identical case, were acquitted.
Stop sewage flow into Kiruthumal river: Farmers federation
MADURAI: Urging the Water Resource Department (WRD) to carry out maintenance works and prevent sewage release into the Kiruthumal river, farmers associated with the Cauvery Vaigai, Kiruthumal Gundar Irrigation Farmers Federation submitted a petition to the WRD officials on Tuesday. M Arjunan, deputy secretary of the Farmers Federation, said, The Kiruthumal river is centuries old and flows nearly 86 kilometers from Madurai, Sivagangai, Viruthunagar, to Ramanathapuram. There are over seven shutter dams in the river, and it connects to nearly 73 irrigation tanks, which irrigate over 17,315.51 hectares of cultivation areas. Despite being such an important river, it has been left unmaintained for years. A large amount of sewage is released into the river, and the branch canals of the river are also filled with Seemai Karuvelam trees and invasive plants. Farmers said that the WRD department should maintain the canal connecting the Viraganur dam to the Krithumal river and widen it to allow 5,000 cubic meters of water to flow through it. Invasive plants and encroachments must also be cleared. Pointing out intense sewage release and garbage dumping into the river, farmers urged the WRD department to take criminal action against the individuals and local bodies, including the Madurai corporation, for releasing pollutants that affect the river. Official sources from the WRD department stated that tenders were floated earlier to carry out works in the river, and those works are being undertaken to address the farmers' issue.
Plea against using furnace oil to build roads: Madras High Court issues notice
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Monday issued notice to the state government on a petition filed by a contractor seeking a direction to the state highways and rural development department not to insist on using furnace oil for laying roads or any other purposes. The petitioner said use of furnace oil is prohibited by central and state pollution control boards. The petitioner, S Subram of Pudukkottai, stated that Supreme Court had passed a series of orders in 2017 and 2018, directing all state governments and union territories to ban usage of pet coke and furnace oil, based on a report filed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) that the two ingredients lead to emission of Sulphur diOxide in high concentration. A similar direction was issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in an identical case, he added. The CPCB also issued a communication on August 23, 2019, directing all states and union territories to prepare policy on use of Pet Coke and Furnace Oil, following which the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), in 2024, released revised guidelines stating that instead of fuels such as solvents, industrial wastes and firewood, all hot mix plants should use diesel and Light Diesel Oil (LDO). While many contractors follow the guidelines, authorities of rural development and highways departments continue to float tenders by preparing estimates only based on the cost of furnace oil, instead of diesel or LDO, forcing contractors to use furnace oil instead of diesel or LDO, the price of which is 15% higher than the former. According to the petitioner, furnace oil is used to fire hot mix plants that are used for mixing stone aggregates with bitumen. A bench of justices J Nisha Banu and S Srimathy issued notice to the authorities concerned and adjourned the case.
Thrashed by parents outside police station in Madurai, newly-weds moved to safety
MADURAI: A young couple who went against their parents wishes and got married at the Usilampatti All Women Police Station were thrashed by the family members on Monday. According to police, the couple, both in their 20s and belonging to a caste Hindu community, were in love. But their relationship was opposed by the respective families as they had a feud for more than 20 years due to a land dispute. Recently, the girls family had planned to marry her off to a relative. After learning about it on Monday, the girl went to the police station along with the youth and got married. Later, police personnel called both the families to the station for talks. Assuming the family members were convinced, the newly weds came out of the station, but were thrashed by the family in full public view on the road. Police intervened and moved the couple to a safe place. As both sides has enmity for decades they could not accept the marriage. We have booked cases against the family members, said a police officer.
Two Tamil medium candidates crack civil services, credit TN governments support
CHENNAI: In a remarkable feat, two candidates from Tamil Nadu, P Kamaraj (29) and S Sankar Pandiyaraj (30), have cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2024, by writing it in Tamil, securing 614th and 807th ranks, respectively. Of the six candidates who attempted mains in Tamil, only these two aspirants, who studied in Tamil medium schools, cleared the exam. Notably, the number of candidates writing the exam in Tamil is fairly low, and no one had cleared it in Tamil last year. Sankar Pandiyaraj, who hails from Rajapalayam in Virudhunagar, is the son of tailors currently settled in Madurai. I was inspired to become an IAS officer after meeting Sagayam IAS in Madurai. Studying in Tamil medium, I wanted to write the exam in the language I was most comfortable with. However, clearing the exam without knowing English is nearly impossible, he said, recalling his initial struggles. Unable to afford regular college, Sankar completed BBA through distance education while doing part-time jobs. During his stay in Chennai, he often ate at Amma Unavagams, and also benefited from the Naan Mudhalvan scheme, receiving Rs 7,500/month. The amount was hiked to Rs 25,000 after clearing prelims. Without this support, I wouldnt have been able to clear the exam. I also received help from an NGO for which I was volunteering with in Cheyyar, he added. S Sankar Pandiyaraj Highlighting the growing accessibility of resources for Tamil medium aspirants, P Kamaraj from Rajapalayam said, There are now AI tools that can translate study materials. The TN government is also helping by translating vital articles from English newspapers into Tamil, he said. T Sankara Saravanan, joint director at TN Textbook and Educational Services Corporation, who mentors UPSC aspirants, noted that candidates opting for Tamil must be proficient in both Tamil and English. The question papers are still available only in English and Hindi for prelims and mains. While study materials for subjects like history is available in Tamil, its difficult to find it for current affairs. The Kalaignar Centenary Library helps to bridge this gap by translating important English news articles, said Saravanan, who also mentored Kamaraj. Retired IAS officer R Balakrishnan, who was among the first batch to clear the exam in Tamil, said it was heartening to see more students clearing UPSC in Tamil. Tangedco MDs son secures 80th rank In his second attempt, Arvind Radhakrishnan, son of senior IAS officer and chairman/MD of Tangedco J Radhakrishnan, secured an AIR 80 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2024. Arvind, who is currently pursuing final year post graduation in general medicine, had secured AIR 361 in his first attempt
Footfall rises, TvMCH in need of second MRI unit
TIRUNELVELI: Doctors and patients at Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital (TvMCH) have urged the state government to provide an additional MRI scanner to meet the growing diagnostic demands of patients from the southern districts. Speaking to TNIE on condition of anonymity, a doctor at the hospital said the lone, outdated MRI scanner currently in use is inadequate. In 2024-25 alone, TvMCH treated 6,53,874 inpatients and 12,43,674 outpatients. We receive patients not just from Tirunelveli but also from Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Kanniyakumari, and Virudhunagar. The waiting period for an MRI ranges from three to 10 days. In critical cases, patients are forced to seek private facilities, the doctor said. According to hospital records, 10,597 MRI scans were performed at TvMCH during 2024-25. Another doctor pointed out that several districts have been equipped with more than one MRI scanner in the government hospitals. Government Rajaji Medical College Hospital in Madurai has two MRI scanners one at the main campus and another at the PMSSY Building. Chennais government hospitals have nine scanners in total. Several districts have two each. Given the patient load at TvMCH, the government must consider providing an additional scanner to TvMCH, the doctor added. A Mariammal, an attendant of an orthopaedic patient, said to TNIE that her relative had to wait 12 days for an MRI scan. The longer the delay, the more the patients condition deteriorates. We heard that patients in the intensive care unit get scanned within one to three days, she added. A cardiology patient recently discharged from TvMCH said he had no choice but to approach a private scan centre. My condition did not permit me to wait for a week. The long-pending demand for an additional MRI scanner continues to be ignored, he said. A senior administrator of TvMCH said the government was actively considering the proposal for an additional MRI scanner. We have forwarded the request to the Health Minister and Health Secretary, the official said.
Teachers call for single window admission in aided colleges across Tamil Nadu
MADURAI: Several associations for university teachers and students have recently submitted representations to the top officials of the higher education department, urging the latter to introduce a single window system of admission to government-aided arts and science colleges and private self-financing colleges across the state. The office-bearers of the associations -- Association of University Teachers (AUT), Madurai Kamaraj, Manonmaniam Sundaranar, Mother Teresa and Alagappa University Teachers Association (MUTA), Makkal Kalvi Kootiyakkam, and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) -- have been counting on the state government to introduce the system in the upcoming academic year; many of them noted that the system would ensure transparency in fee structure and reservation. In April last year, when K Karmegam was the commissioner of collegiate education, a committee in this regard was constituted, and it submitted recommendations on implementing the single-window system. However, the process was later put on hold by the higher education department. AUT former president P Thirunavukarasu told TNIE that the system, already in place for admissions to engineering and government arts and science colleges, could certainly be extended to government-aided arts and science colleges and private self-financing colleges. If enforced, the system will curb the collection of capitation fee and ensure transparency in admission and reservation. A student will then have to fill just one application to apply for a course in government-aided arts and science colleges across the state, he said. Makkal Kalvi Kootiyakkam coordinator Prof R Murali said, While introducing the system, the government should mention clearly that stringent action would be taken against institutions violating the norms. MUTA former general secretary M Nagarajan said that a merit-based admission system, besides ensuring social justice, would assist students in selecting colleges and courses according to their preferences. At present, government-aided colleges collect exorbitant fees from students for aided courses. It must be eliminated, he said, alleging the governments inaction in this regard over students complaints against the managements of several institutions. He said introducing the single window system of admission might put an end to all the irregularities happening at government-aided colleges and self-financing institutions. DYFI district treasurer S Veldeva said, The government can establish district-wise facilitation centres to streamline the admission process, enabling students to select colleges and courses online. Despite TNIEs efforts, principal Secretary to the higher education department C Samyamoorthy and joint secretary private college management association of Madurai Kamaraj University Zone M Davamani Christober could not be contacted for a comment.
From May, only staff vehicles can enter Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital
MADURAI: In a move aimed at addressing the parking woes at the facility, the administration at the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) on Tuesday commenced distribution of stickers to its staff members and students under 11 categories that will allow only their vehicles to be parked on campus from the first week of May. Over 2,000 parking stickers are being distributed to staff and students (see box). Further, 13 spots are being identified for two-wheeler parking and six spots for vehicles like cars. Hospital authorities said that vehicles of patients, their attendants and relatives will henceforth not be allowed inside. The move comes against the backdrop of complaints of hundreds of vehicles of patients attendants and relatives parked on campus causing congestion. Commenting on the situation, Tamil Nadu Resident Doctors Association (TNRDA) general secretary and hospital staff member Dr M Keerthi Varman told TNIE, Whenever I enter GRH, many bikes are found parked haphazardly. All such vehicles would be of patients relatives, who park without leaving space for anyone else. Some such bikes are found parked for over a week also. To tackle the situation, staff from the agency providing housekeeping services on contract were also deployed to regulate parking on campus for around six months, but in vain. Many a time, the congestion goes out of control when some cars park near the Cancer Ward. This blocks the movements of ambulances and other vehicles. Despite this, the visitors refuse to listen and go on to park their vehicles. The contract workers then used loudspeakers to regulate vehicular movement inside the premises. But even this failed following which it was decided to implement the parking sticker method. While a parking lot to accommodate over 2,000 bikes and 200 cars is being set up by the city corporation outside the hospital, patients attendants and visitors can park their vehicle along the road outside until its completion. Meanwhile, Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of GRH Dr S Saravanan said that in order to help patients, two battery-operated vehicles will be operated near the check posts at the hospital entrance. These can pick up six patients each and take them to their respective treatment wards, he added.
