Read in : தமிழ்
Formalin: Fishermen point to mischief by merchants, warn against scare-mongering
The issue of formalin, a toxic chemical used to preserve human bodies, being used to preserve fish has got much media attention. Starting with Kerala, where fish from Tamil Nadu allegedly contained traces of formalin, reports of formalin being detected have surfaced in Tamil Nadu also. Fish...
What makes Tamil Nadu’s anti-corruption law a toothless one
The Lok Ayukta bill passed today in the Tamil Nadu Assembly is a toothless law. It will not only not fight corruption but also embolden the corrupt. The flaws are glaring and obvious. The Lok Ayukta is to be selected by a selection panel comprising Chief Minister, Speaker and Leader of the...
TN Assembly passes Lok Ayukta bill, opposition walks out
The Tamil Nadu Assembly passed the Lok Ayukta that is purported to investigate charges of corruption against the chief minister, ministers, MLAs as well as government officials. The bill was tabled by fisheries minister D Jayakumar. Under the 1988 Prevention of Corruption Act, complaints can be...
State response muted on centre’s move to scrap UGC
The time for public consultations for a bill that seeks a major change in the nation’s higher educational structure is over. The bill that will abolish the University Grants Commission (UGC) and create a Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) will be tabled in Parliament and is likely to...
Will Rameswaram fishermen be charged under new, harsh Lankan law? Decision on July 12
What happens to the 12 Rameswaram fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy last week may well decide what happens to fishing in the island. A new law passed by Sri Lankan Parliament that imposes harsh punishment on foreign fishermen looms over these fishermen. “We will know on July 12 what the Sri...
After protests, project to quarry boulders in Kanyakumari for Vizhinjam port given up
Thottiyadu is barely 55 km from Vizhinjam, the site of an upcoming port in Kerala. The port is coming up at a cost of Rs 7525 crore and is owned by the Kerala government and Adani Group. Vizhinjam sparked a controversy in Kerala owing to its environmental impact. While the issue has settled...
Can you get away with a Rs 2 increase and call it a big announcement in any other sector? asks a farmer
On Wednesday (July 4), the centre announced that it was increasing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of paddy by Rs 200 and would procure it at Rs 1,750. MSP of 14 farm produce including urad dal, other pulses and cotton were also being increased, it said. Reacting to this, noted agriculture...
Paddy MSP hike is only 15%, not 50%: M S Swaminathan
Noted agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan has said that the market support that farmers need has three integrated components. i) A minimum support price or MSP based on the formula of C2 + 50% ii) A favourable procurement policy to ensure that farmers do receive the MSP iii) Increasing...
SC verdict a boost to the Puducherry government
The Supreme Court verdict on the powers of the Lt. Governor, making it clear that he has no independent power and that he must abide by the Council of Ministers, has come as a relief to the people of Delhi and Puducherry who have suffered due to the LT Governor blocking various legislations and...
Rameswaram bullets and explosives: Islanders recall their tryst with militancy
Thangachi Madam has been in the news recently. At this fishing village on Rameswaram island, a huge cache of near-antique bullets and explosives were dug out from the septic tank of a house. Next to Thangachi Madam is Thanneer Uutru. The name refers to a fresh water spring at the seashore. A...
Read in : தமிழ்
