CHENNAI: Stating that special flying squads comprising officials from various departments continue their surveillance to prevent mining of beach minerals in three coastal districts - Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Kanniyakumari, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday told the Assembly that the State government would take further action in the beach minerals issue, including the unveiling of beach mineral policy, once the Madras High Court pronounces its verdict.
Responding to the issue raised by the Leader of Opposition, MK Stalin during zero hour, the Chief Minister said since it was reported to the court that mining of beach minerals continued even after an official ban, flying squads comprising sub collectors, officials of police, geology and mining, land survey and other related departments had been formed to continue surveillance.
He said report of the special team headed by a senior IAS officer Gagandeep Singh Bedi had submitted its report on September 17 last year and it was submitted to the court. The next hearing in the case had been posted for September 4.
Recalling that the Madras High Court had appointed V Suresh as its consultant in beach mineral issue last year, Palaniswami said Suresh had already submitted his report to the court. Further, on the directions of the court, a committee headed by Satyabrata Sahu, IAS, which comprises experts from Department of Atomic Energy, Indian Bureau of Mines, geology and mining department, revenue department etc., had been studying the presence of beach minerals and atomic minerals.
Raising the issue, Stalin wanted to know as to what happened to the report submitted by Gagandeep Singh Bedi and the announcement by the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa that a new policy on beach minerals would be unveiled.
State autonomy will be protected in appointment to subordinate court
Law Minister CVe Shanmugam on Thursday assured the State Assembly that the State government would protect its right over appointment of judges to sub-ordinate courts. The minister said the Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognisance of a circular of the union law ministry regarding recruitment of judges for sub-ordinate courts. “Once we receive the SC notice, the State would take action.
Women activists under custody, not produced before court: DMK MLA
DMK MLA J Anbazhagan on Thursday told the State Assembly that police had taken into custody two women activists who were issuing pamphlets in Salem on Wednesday night and they were yet to be produced before court. Their whereabouts were not known.
DMK demands hike in assistance during fishing ban
Former fisheries minister and DMK MLA, KPP Samy on Thursday urged the State government to hike the relief being given to fishermen during the fish ban period. This was because since from this year, the duration of the period had gone up from 45 to 60 days. Responding, Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar recalled how assistance had been hiked time to time.
Welfare board benefits for migrant labourers in construction sector too
To protect the interest of the large number of migrant labourers employed in construction in Tamil Nadu, the State government has announced that the benefits offered to workers through TN Construction Workers Welfare Board will be extended to migrants too.
‘No privatisation of Kamarajar Port’
Chennai: The Centre seems to have no plan to privatise the Kamarajar Port at Ennore, minister for Electricity P Thangamani told the Assembly on Thursday. He said the matter was discussed with the Union Minister Piyush Goyal when he visited the city recently. “The Union Minister said the Centre has no such plans,” Thangamani said.
TN will oppose
CICT merger move
Chennai: Minister for Tamil Official Language And Tamil Culture Sevoor S Ramachandran assured the Assembly that the State government would exert pressure on the Centre against the move to merge the Central Institute for Classical Tamil from Chennai with the Central University in Tiruvarur.
Domestic workers wage scale soon
Chennai: The minimum wages for domestic workers will soon be fixed in the State. A committee set up for the purpose is expected to submit its report soon.
Efforts on to cushion increase in tomato prices, says minister
Minister for Cooperation Sellur K Raju on Thursday said steps would be taken to sell tomato and onion through farm fresh outlets and cooperative stores at subsidised rates with a view to cushioning the increase in the prices of the two vegetables. The minister said on July 12, while the price of big onion in open market stood at D50 per kg, it was D40 per kg at farm fresh outlets. In consultation with the Chief Minister, the government would take steps to sell onion and tomato through the above shops, Raju said.
Stalin raises CICT seal sans Tamil issue; Sengottaiyan denies charge
School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan on Thursday denied reports that the seal of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil bears only Hindi and English words and not Tamil. Responding to the issue raised by Leader of the Opposition, MK Stalin, during the zero hour, the minister showed the photocopy of the seal received from CICT office wherein the name of CICT was engraved in Tamil and English. Earlier, HR and CE Minister Sevvoor S Ramachandran said the State government had been urging CICT that all its administrative communications should be only in Tamil as far as Tamil Nadu was concerned.
5 new hostels for BC students planned in State
The Tamil Nadu government is going to construct five new hostels for Backward Class students studying in government colleges in urban areas in the State at a cost of D1.67 crore. S Valarmathi, Minister for Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare, made the announcement in the Assembly on Thursday.