Page 19 - Tamil Nadu

Supreme Court junks Vedanta plea for copper plant reopening in Tamil Nadu

The plant has been closed since May 2018 after 13 people were killed as police opened fire to quell a protest over alleged pollution caused by it

Tamil Nadu contributes to 32% of India's total electronics exports till Jan

The state has been making rapid strides in all areas of industrial growth, primarily due to its connection with stakeholders

Centre raises concern about 5 states not signing PM SHRI School MoU

The Centre has expressed strong concerns about five states not signing MoUs with the education ministryfor PM SHRI schools and Punjab not implementing it despite continuing to take funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, sources said on Thursday. Odisha, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Delhi have not yet signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Ministry of Education, while 30 states and union territories (UTs) have done so. The scheme targets to upgrade 14,500 schools and is expected to benefit 1.8 million students. It also aims to ensure these schools serve as model institutes and encapsulate the spirit of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The government has already selected 6,448 schools from 28 states and UTs for the upgrade in the first round. "Despite taking funds from Centre for Samagra Shiksha Scheme, the refusal of five States/UTs, namely Odisha, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Delhi to sign MOUs for PM SHRI schools reflects a troubling patter

SC dismisses Vedanta's plea against closure of copper plant in Thoothukudi

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a Vedanta group's plea against the closure of its copper smelting plant in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi. The plant has been closed since May 2018 after 13 people were killed as police opened fire to quell a protest over alleged pollution caused by it. A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said the health and welfare of residents of the area is a matter of "utmost concern" and the state government is responsible for preserving and protecting their concerns. " we have come to the conclusion that the Special Leave Petition (SLP) by the industrial unit shall not warrant interference under Article 136 of the Constitution. For the above reasons, the SLP shall stands dismissed," the bench, also comprising justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said. The Madras High Court had in August 2020 rejected Vedanta's plea for allowing reopening of its Sterlite Copper unit.

What central projects have we stalled, questions Tamil Nadu CM Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should spell out what central schemes the state government has "blocked", and said those it opposed include NEET and the CAA, keeping public welfare in mind. The chief minister was responding to Modi's claim that there was lack of cooperation from the DMK-led TN government in implementing central projects in the state. The PM made these claims during his public address on Wednesday in Tirunelveli, in the southern part of the state. Stalin, on his part, referred to Modi's frequent visits to Tamil Nadu, saying "the fear of defeat on his face is evident and it manifests as anger." The PM is "slandering" the DMK and its government, the chief minister alleged. "He says we are blocking projects launched by him. It would be convenient to respond if he could list out which projects he brought that we were an impediment to," the CM said in a letter to party workers ahead of his 71st birthday on Friday.

Several pharma cos step up corrective action plans after crackdown by govt

The orders in the state have now been revoked, with the companies undergoing corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes

Modi lays foundation stone, lists projects worth Rs 17,300 cr in Tamil Nadu

Central government's work creating employment and improving living in the state, he says

China's flag on DMK's ad for Isro spaceport sparks political firestorm

Prime Minister Modi accused the DMK of putting its stamp on the BJP-led Centre's projects and trying to claim credit for them

PM Modi lays foundation stone for new Isro launch complex in Tamil Nadu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated new projects here and laid the foundation stone for new initiatives, totally worth over Rs 17,000 crore. PM Modi laid the foundation stone for a new launch complex of ISRO at Kulasekarapattinam near here, which is worth about Rs 986 crore and the facility is set to accommodate 24 launches per year. The new ISRO complex includes 35 facilities, and features a mobile launch structure (MLS) with checkout computers, marking a significant stride in enhancing space exploration capabilities.

Ex-Tamil Nadu min Senthil Balaji denied bail by HC in money laundering case

Senthil Balaji was arrested in June 2023 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a probe linked to alleged cash-for-jobs scam when he was a minister in an earlier AIADMK regime

Tamil Nadu's VOC Port will be India's first green hydrogen hub: Sonowal

The VOC Port at Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu will become India's first green hydrogen hub as it will develop an ecosystem of green ports and also emerge as a transshipment hub when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches numerous initiatives on February 28, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Tuesday. Also, Chennai would become the gateway to the Eastern Maritime Corridor to Vladivostok, Russia, and further increase the bilateral trade between the two countries, he said. "Tomorrow PM Modi will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate, and dedicate to the nation 36 transformative projects worth over Rs 17,000 crore. This is a step towards Viksit Bharat @2047," Sonowal told reporters here. About 30 projects under his Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways worth Rs 10,324 crore would be inaugurated, foundation laid or dedicated by the prime minister, he said. Of these, six projects worth Rs 7,587 crore are only in the two ports in Tamil Nadu. "Only a few years ago, our prime minister ha

State machinery should help ED find if an offence was committed: SC to TN

The state machinery should help the Enforcement Directorate in finding out if an offence has been committed as there is no harm in it, the Supreme Court told the Tamil Nadu government on Monday. The apex court had last week questioned the Tamil Nadu government for filing a plea in the Madras High Court against the ED for its probe in a money laundering case. The central probe agency had summoned the district collectors of Vellore, Tiruchirappalli, Karur, Thanjavur and Ariyalur in connection with its probe in a money laundering case related to alleged illegal sand mining. The state government along with the bureaucrats had moved the high court that stayed the summons issued by the ED. The probe agency has moved the top court against the high court order. The ED's plea came up for hearing on Monday before a bench of justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal. "State and its officers should help the ED in finding out if there is any offence," the bench observed, adding, "If the state

Ranji Trophy: Sai rules again as Tamil Nadu outlasts Saurashtra to enter SF

Tamil Nadu skipper R Sai Kishore stole the spotlight, this time with the ball, as his four-wicket haul helped his side thrash Saurashtra by an innings and 33 runs on Day 3 of their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal here on Sunday. As a result, TN became the first team to enter the semi-final this season, which will be played on March 2. Resuming at the overnight score of 300 for 6 in their first innings, TN managed to add just 38 more to their total, with Ajith Ram staying unbeaten on 23. However, TN managed to take a lead of 155 against Saurahstra's 183, thanks to some commendable knocks from Sai Kishore (60), Baba Indrajith (80) and Boopathi Kumar (65). It was a collective effort from the visiting bowling unit, with everyone chipping in with wickets, barring Prerak Mankad, who was the most economical of the lot (1.00). Chirag Jani claimed three. Saurashtra began their second innings on a nervous note, losing three wickets for 48 runs, with Sandeep Warrier getting two of their top-order

VinFast kicks off Tamil Nadu unit construction, seeks cut in import duty

The project aims to evolve into a first-class electric vehicle production hub in the region, with an annual capacity of up to 150,000 units

LS elections: Most parties in Tamil Nadu want EC to hold single-phase polls

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Saturday said most of the political parties in Tamil Nadu have urged the EC to conduct the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in single phase in the state. At the end of his two-day visit to Tamil Nadu to review poll-preparedness, Kumar said the Election Commission (EC) would come down heavily on those officials who do not ensure level playing field to parties as "in a democracy, officials should be absolutely impartial." Briefing reporters on the issues raised by the political parties, he said, "most of the political parties want single phase polling and demanded steps to curtail use of money power during the elections. They also sought disqualification of candidates who are found distributing cash during the elections or any inducement." "Process wise, they (political parties) have said that the bureaucratic machinery needs to be impartial. They need to provide a level playing field so that every candidate is treated equally," he said. Kumar,

SC questions TN for filing plea challenging ED summons to officials

The Supreme Court has questioned the Tamil Nadu government for filing a plea in the Madras High Court against the Enforcement Directorate for its probe in a money laundering case. The central probe agency had summoned the district collectors of Vellore, Tiruchirappalli, Karur, Thanjavur and Ariyalur in connection with its probe in the illegal sand mining case. The state government along with the bureaucrats had moved the Madras High Court that stayed the summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate. The agency had moved the top court against the order. "How can the state file this writ petition? Under which law? You satisfy us on how the state is interested and how it can file this writ petition against Enforcement Directorate. How is the state aggrieved," a bench comprising justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal asked the counsel appearing for the Tamil Nadu government. The bench said the officials should cooperate with the ED. Senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Amit Anand .

Unclear violation in Sterlite Copper shutdown affects investment, says SC

Closure of an industry, without specifying the violation in "clearer terms", affects the investment made in the company, the Supreme Court said on Thursday while hearing Vedanta group firm Sterlite Copper's plea against shutting down of its smelting plant in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi. While making it clear that a company has to comply with the existing laws and environmental norms, a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said authorities have to specify the violations for closing down an industry. Senior advocate C S Vaidyanathan, appearing for Tamil Nadu, clarified that the state has not closed down the copper plant but only denied it the consent to operate over environmental concerns. "A company cannot say that it will only comply with those provisions which are pointed out by the authorities. It has to comply with the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act or whatever law applicable. But when you close down an industry, you cannot say you violated unspecified ...

VinFast Auto to break ground for Tamil Nadu EV facility on February 25

The establishment of VinFast's integrated electric vehicle facility in Tamil Nadu is anticipated to generate approximately 3,000 to 3,500 employment opportunities locally

Tamil Nadu seeks to use state consolidated fund to meet expenditure

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu on Wednesday presented the TN Appropriation Bill in the Assembly seeking withdrawal of Rs 30,355 crore from the State Consolidated Fund to meet the supplementary grants and expenditure for the financial year 23-24. Of the total Rs 30,355.32 crore, Rs 26,590.09 crore was under the revenue account, Rs 3,499.98 crore in the capital account, and Rs 265.25 crore in the loan account. This appropriation out of the Consolidated Fund of the state was for services and purposes of the financial year 23-24, he said while moving the bill, which was later approved by voice vote. A Bill to replace the Tamil Nadu Medical Registration Act, 1914 and to constitute the Tamil Nadu State Medical Council was among the 12 bills introduced in the Assembly House today. The TN State Medical Council Act, 2024, seeks to repeal the TN Act IV of 1914 and re-enact a new one in its place.

Govt branches out: One highly beneficial neem tree for 10 Indians

Seeding Change: Need 'Amul' model for neem seed collection to boost coverage, say experts