SAKTHI BOOKS CURRENT EVENTS

October, 2012

Mobile courts in 10 more districts

Chief Justice M.Y. Eqbal flagged off 10 mobile courts, which will function 10 mobile courts, which will function in Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Coimbatore, Tiruchi, Madurai, Namakkal, Salem, Erode, Dindigul and Tirunelveli districts, pursuant at a G.O. of Aug. 4, 2010. Each court will be presided over by a Civil Judge. Following the constitution of the courts, the Madras High Court issued a notification posting Judicial Magistrates to the courts. Though there were two mobile courts in Chennai, such a facility was not available in order in other parts of the state.

Leaders homage at the memorial

State Minister, leaders of various political parties and hundreds of people from various walks of life paid homage to Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar on the occasion of his 105th birth anniversary and 50th guru puja in his native Pasumpon Village. The jayanthi celebration at the memorial site passed off peacefully even though same violent incidents resulting in the murder of three people took place elsewhere in the district.

Residents to soon have free use of community halls

City residents will soon be able use Chennai Corporation’s community halls, free of cost. The Civic body is planning to waive newtal charges for all of its 52 halls spread across the city. According to an announcement by Mayor Saidai S. Duraisamy, in the wake of the Corporation Council’s completing one year in office, residents will soon be permitted free use of the halls after approval is given by Chief Minister. The measure is likely to come into effect from Feb. 24, 2013.

Indira Gandhi Award

Famous poet-lyricist Gulzar is honoured with the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for 2011.

Indian women win ACC women’s T20Asia Cup

Indian women lift the inaugural ACC women’s T20 Asia Cup, beating Pakistan by 18 runs in the final in Guangzhou, China.

Official reports

Official reports show that the year-on-year growth of the eight core infrastructure industries more than doubled to touch 5.1 percent in September 2012, a seven-month high. In the same month of 2011, the growth rate was a mere 2.5 percent.

C.M. lays foundation stone for arch in Chennai

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa laid the foundation stone for an arch in Chennai to commemorate the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, which was formed after the first election held under the constitution in 1952. The arch on Rajaji Salai will come up between Fort St. George and the War Memorial. The project cost is   1.33 crore. The arch would be 41 feet in height and 80 feet in width and constructed in a manner that would encompass traditional and modern architecture.

Jayaraman elected Deputy Speaker

Former Minister Pollachi V. Jayaraman, representing the Udumalpet Assembly constituency elected Deputy Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly. His election was announced by Speaker P. Dhanapal, who said no other candidate had filed nomination for the post till October 26, the last date for filing nomination.

White tigress at zoo delivers four cubs

Four new born white tiger cubs are the latest attraction at Arignar Anna Zoological park, Vandalur. The cubs are the offspring of the female tiger Anu and Bishmar, the male that was brought from National Zoological Park, New Delhi six years ago under an animal exchange programme. Both the Bengal tiger and the White tigers are found in India and China. Both the Bengal tiger and the White tigers belong to the same species.  The difference in colour is due to recessive genes. A total of 100 white tigers are housed in various zoos across the country.

Messi wins the European Golden Boot Award

Spanish footballing giants FC Barcelona’s Argentine player Lionel Messi wins the European Golden Boot Award for scoring the most number of goals in Europe’s domestic football leagues in the last season (2011-12).

Sandy makes landfall on the East Coast of USA

At least 33 people are reported dead and millions left without electricity, as the superstorm Sandy makes landfall on the East Coast of USA, causing extensive damage to property.

India, the US and Japan discuss trilateral cooperation in maritime security

At a meeting in New Delhi, senior government officials from India, the US and Japan discuss trilateral cooperation in maritime security, and the possibility of a route through Myanmar leading up to Hanoi in Vietnam. They also exchange proposals on doing projects together in Afghanistan and Africa.

RBI reduces the CRR

The RBI keeps the indicative policy rates unchanged even while reducing the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) – the portion of deposits that banks keep with the central bank – by 25 basis points from 4.5 percent to 4.25 percent. The move is expected to inject liquidity to the tune of around   17,500 crore into the banking system.

Training school planned for grassroots academics

The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) will start a training school to provide life-long learning opportunities to grassroots academics to update their knowledge and share it with others, said eminent scientist and MSSRF Emeritus chairman and Chief Mentor M.S. Swaminathan while conferring the Jamsetji Tata National Virtual Academy (NVA) Fellowship on 119 grassroots academics, he said that starting Jamsetji Tata Training School for leadership in rural knowledge connectivity was an unfinished agenda of MSSRF. Till date MSSRF had about 1,560 fellow grossroots academics and it should reach atleast 10,000 by end of the decade.

Use solar energy for lighting needs

The Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries’ Association (TANSTIA) has advised industrialists of Trichi to use solar power for lighting requirements. A meeting organised by the TANSTIA, in association with BHEL Small Industries’ Association, took stock of the Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Policy 2012 and incentives for power producers and equipment manufacturers setting up solar energy parks. According to the policy, big industries and high tension electricity consumers should utilise solar energy for certain per cent of their consumption. For solar power producers, the government would offer net metering facility to connect to the grid.

Latest EPI is released by Planning Commission

The latest Environmental Performance Index is released by the Planning Commission. Uttarakhand tops the Index that measures environmental well-being of States and UTs. Uttarakhand is followed by Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Sikkim and Andhra Pradesh, in that order, on the list.

Botanical garden takes shape

Residents of north Chennai may soon turn benefactors of a luscious garden and recreational space in their locality. An ornamental garden in Madhavaram, which will be the biggest Botanical garden in the city, will be thrown open in a few months. Spread over 28 acres, the garden is being developed at the state horticulture farm in Madhavaram Milk Colony. About 80 per cent of the civil work has been completed.

Deemed varsity upgradation occurs without inspection

 Only three of the state’s 29 deemed universities managed to get upgradationas per the recommendations of a Union Ministry for Human Resources Development (MHRD) review committee. However, academics say this process did not involve any inspection of facilities on campus or interaction with students and faculty; instood, the upgradation was based on presentations by University officials before the committee in New Delhi.

World Billiards (points frame) title

Indian cueist Rupesh Shah lifts the World billiards (points frame) title in Leeds, England, beating Matthew Bolton of Australia 6-2 in the final. Meanwhile,  celebrated Indian cuiest Pankaj Advani clinches the time format billiards title at the championship. In the final, Advani defeats Mike Russell of England by a 1895-1216 margin.

Vettel wins Indian Grand Prix Formula One Championship

Team Red Bull racer Sebastian Vettle of Germany defends his title at the Indian Grand Prix Formula One Championship at the Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida, Uttarpradesh, Spain’s Fernando Alonso of Ferrari finishes second.

Global meeting to discuss climate change

A global meeting to discuss climate change is held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. High-level delegations from over 50 countries call for drawing up an international agreement on disaster risk reduction to follow up on the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-15).

UPA Govt. undergoes a major reshuffle

The UPA Government undergoes a major reshuffle. The reshuffle includes a rejig of the high-profile ministries of External Affairs, Petroleum, Railways and Law. Several Ministers of State (MoS) are promoted and given independent Charge. Some of the Ministers who were earlier holding twin charges are stripped of one portfolio, Mr. Salman Khurshid (Minister of Law and Justice, Minority Affairs) and Mr. Pawan Kumar Bansal (Parliamentary Affairs; Water Resources) emerge as the two biggest winners in the shake-up. Mr. Khurshid is made the new External Affairs Minister, while Mr. Bansal is given the charge of Railways. Of the 22 Ministers who took oath, there are 17 fresh faces.

Enrolment to begin for resident ID cards

The enrolment of people for the issuing of resident identity cards (RIC) is likely to begin in the city soon. The directorate of census operations, Tamil Nadu, which is preparing biometric data with unique identification numbers under the National Population Register (NPR), recently inaugurated the project in the city. Once the Chennai Corporation, which co-ordinates the project, is ready with the details and lists centres, camps to called biometric and demographic data of residents will be held in various parts of the city.

Anna University mulls BE-MBA combo course

Following in the footsteps of international varsities and premier institutes in the country. Anna University may soon offer integrated engineering-management courses. Recently, the All-India council for Technical Education had asked affiliated institution to apply if they wished to commence the five and-a-half-year integrated programme from 2013.

CRI Pumps acquires UK firm

CRI pumps, a Coimbatore based manufacturer and exporter of pumps, recently signed a business transfer agreement with Pumps & Process Systems of the U.K. Chief Executive Officer of CRI Chaitanya Karanne told that CRI would shift the industrial pumping solutions manufacturing facility of pumps & process systems in the U.K. to Coimbatore soon. “We are setting up a green field facility and the manufacturing plant in U.K. would be shifted to this facility in four to six months”. Manufacturing at the new plant on a large scale was expected to commence in the last quarter of this financial year or the beginning of next year. CRI Pumps’ annual turnover in 2011-2012 was 850 crore, which was expected to increase to 1,000 crore this year.

Dhanapal unanimously elected Assembly Speaker

The All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam’s nominee P. Dhanapal, was 10th October unanimously elected Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, the first Dalit to hold the post since 1955. Felicitating Mr. Dhanpal, who was till recently Deputy Speaker, Chief Minister pointed out that he is the first Dalit to be elected Speaker unanimously since Independence.

Trail run at Nemmeli desalination plant soon

The   533.38 crore Nemmeli desalination project is ready for trial run. The second desalination plant in the city, it will have the capacity to treat 100 million litres of water a day (MLD). According to sources, civil work at the plant located about 35 km. south of Chennai, along East Coast Road, was recently completed. Expected to be commissioned in a few months, the plant will provide piped water to residents of south Chennai and the newly merged areas. At present, many of the newly-merged areas in the southern fringes of the city do not receive enough water to meet their daily requirements. The new plant is expected to offset the gap of resources in the city’s fast drying reservoirs.

Centre’s debt increased

A Finance Ministry report reveals that the Centre’s debt increased by 3.6 percent to   39,00,386 crore during the July-September 2012 period over the previous quarter, mainly owing to a marked rise in the internal debt component.

Health card from Prime India

Prime India, a Chennai based firm operating in medical tourism and healthcare placement space, has launched an electronic health and that stores peoples medical data. Prime Health card which comes with an inbuilt USB drive, is a kind read – reckoner that stores the entire family’s medical records, healthcare history, vital parameters, medical schedules and allergies. The data on the card can be changed any time, and synced to the web for real-time updates.

Uthagamandalam lake in for operation clean-up

The state govt. announced a   4.27 crore scheme to clear the Ooty lake, a major tourist attraction in this hill station. Underscoring the importance of tourism and its role in generating employment, an official press release said the lake, spread over 20 hectares, was getting polluted due to the release of effluents through the Kodappamund channel, which cuts through the town.

United India offers mobile premium payment facility :

United India Insurance hopes to collect a premium income of  10,000 crore in the current financial year with a substantial improvement in profitability, according to G. Srinivasan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director. launching ‘M-Power’ the mobile premium payment facility, he said United India had made sustained efforts at multiple levels to meet the rising expectations of policy-holders, and simplify the process of delivery and access to services. The facility enables customers to remit the premium through mobile phones, using the mobile number and MMID (Mobile Money Identifier) of the Comapny.

Only after moving SC, we have got 10,000 cusecs of cauvery water

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa asserted that the State got 10,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of Cauvery water from Karnataka during September 12 to 20 only because it apporached the Supreme Court. Only after the state filed a petition that crop in the state was getting affected due to non-release of water by the Karnataka govt. the Supreme Court not only directed  that the Cauvery River Authority hold a meeting but also asked Karnataka to release 10,000 cusecs.

Minority status of an institution need not be renewed periodically

The Madras High Court has reiterated that minority status, once granted to an institution, need not be renewed periodically. The court passed the order while allowing a petition by the Secretary, Loyola College (autonomous), Nungambakkam seeking the queshing of an order of the Secretary, Higher Education Department, dated October 8, 2009 restricting the status of the college as a minority educational institution to a limited period from 2007 to 2012.

Petition seeks withdrawal of job advertisement

The Madras High Court has ordered notice on a writ petition seeking a direction to the authorities to withdraw an advertisement, dated September 5, for recruitment of 13 Asst. Engineers in the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing Development Corporation, as it was against the principle of equal opportunity in public appointments.

India and Spain ink an MoU on defence cooperation

India and Spain ink an MoU on defence cooperation. The MoU is signed in New Delhi by Defence Minister Mr. A.K. Antony and his visiting Spanish counterpart Mr. Pedro Morenes Eulate. The MoU on defence is the high point among a host of pacts signed after comprehensive talks between Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the visiting Spanish King Juan Carlos I on a host of bilateral, regional and international issues. A pact pertaining to amending the existing double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) is also signed.

States roll out incentives for residents to go solar

The scheme of generation-based incentive (GBI), essentially aimed at covering domestic consumers, will lie administered jointly by the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (Teda) and the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco). Included in the recently unveided Solar Energy Policy, the scheme envisages providing   2 per unit for the first two years,  1 per unit for the next two years and 50 paise per unit for the subsequent two years. This will be applicable for all solar or solar-wind hybrid rooftop installations to be setup before March 31, 2014.

Large industries to go green in a small may soon

Large industries in the state are being advised to install solar power systems for at least two per cent of their power consumption. Environment minister B.V. Ramana said that common areas, kitchens and other areas could be lit through solar power. “This would take some pressure off the grid and help the companies to reduce their carbon foodprints”, he said. Similarly, the Board will also direct industries classified as highly – polluting or water – consuming to set up reverse osmosis plants for tertiary treatment of waste water being let out after being treated by effluent treatment plants or sewage treatment plants. This would help reduce withdrawal of ground water. There are around 40,000 industries in the state. This would also be applicable to large apartments, hotels. IT companies and other high-rise structures.

High Court declines to stay police ban on kite thread

The Madras High Court has declined kite producers’ plea to direct the city police not to restrict the use of maanja’ (coated) thread to flying kites. The petition had been filed by the Chennai Katradi Urpathiyalargal Virpanaiyalargal Sangam (association of kite producers and sellers) seeking to restrain the police from interfering with the production and sale of kites and threads in the city by the association members.

Varsity turns back clock, marks 100th year 5 years late

The University of Madras has postponed the centenary celebration of its library that was scheduled to be held today. But faculty members note that the function was in fast no contenary celebration as the library is 105 years old it was by Governor, K. Rosaiah and Higher Education Minister P. Palaniappan, was actually ‘post-centenary’ celebration.

East Zone win Duleep Trophy cricket

East Zone win the Duleep Trophy cricket championship, beating Central Zone in the final in Chennai.

Detailing policies dealing with detanus

Whistleblowing webiste WikiLeaks releases a set of more than 100 “classified or otherwise restricted” files from the US Defence Department, detailing policies for dealing with detenus in the US military prisons such as Guantanamo Bay.

Union Cabinet clears National Policy on Electronics 2012

The Union Cabinet clears the National Policy on Electronics 2012, which aims to make the domestic electronic hardware manufacturing segment a $400-billion industry by the year 2020.

Elephant’s herd back into Andiappanur reserve forest

A herd of seven elephants has made a come-back to the Andiyappanur Reserve  Forests (RF) after wondering in the forest areas at Salem. The Forest Department has stepped up vigil to prevent the elephants from entering human habitations after the herd including the tuskur arrived at the Andiappanur RF. The villages in the surrounding areas have been alerted about the presence of the herd, adding, “The villages have been told not to venture into the forest areas at night and not to sleep on their lands but stay inside their houses at night”.

LED bulbs for street lights in local bodies

With a view to bringing down the maintenance cost of the street tights of local bodies. Chief Minister announced a scheme to replace the existing lights with a light – emitting diode (LED) bulbs and solar energy lamps. The LED bulbs will be used on experimental basis in nine Corpns., 35 municipalities in Tirupur and Thanjavur region and 101 town panchayats. The scheme would be implanted through public-private-partnership.

Sixty years of serving up sterling theatre

The 60th anniversary celebrations of famed Tamil theatre group United Amateur Artists (UAA) began with veteran film director K. Balachandar releasing a DVD titled ‘60 years of passion’. The group was founded by Y.G. Parthasarathy and Pattu (N. Padmanabhan) in 1952. Mr. Balachandar said that YGP was his hero in earlier days, as he too was in government service and a dramatist of repute. The group has been home to many actors including Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, Lakshmi, as well as several technician.

State gets cracking on cracked wharf

Work on reconstruction of the broken, cracked, 495 metre long wharf at Kasimedu fishing harbour, is progressing well. Other ongoing projects at the harbour, including the construction of a new auction hall, sanitary complex and relaying of a nood, all at a cost of    16.24 crore are also proceeding at full-swing.

Gavaskar is chose for C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award

Legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar is chosen for the Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.

Friends of Liberation War honour award

Former Dy. Prime Minister and Defence Minister the late Jagjivan Ram is posthumously awarded the “Friends of Liberation War Honour” by Bangladesh for his contribution to the 1971 war.

Award for poet Sreekumaran Thambi

Asan Samarka Kavitha Puraskaran 2012 will be awarded to poet Sreekumaran Thambi for his contribution to Malayalam Poetry. The decision was taken after an opinion poll and on the advice of a panel of judges, said Shyamala Jayaprakash general secretary. Asan memorial Association. It carries a cash award of   30,000, a momento and citation. The award function would be held in the fourth week of November, she said.

Special youth brigade to be setup to aid police

A special youth brigade will be formed to assist the police in various activities and provide a ready recruitment base for the police department after the youth undergo a year’s successful training. Chief Minister told the State Assembly that she had ordered the formation of the Tamil Nadu Special Police Youth Brigade, taking into account the need to create 19,096 additional posts in the police department in proportion to the ever-increasing population and the retirement of thousands of policemen every year.

Wealthy industries can now start institutes of their own

The governing body for technical institutes, the All India Counsil for Technical Education (AICTE) has now decided to allow industries and businesses with a   100 crore turnover to set up technical institutions of their own. The council has already received applications from companies such as BHEL, BSNL and Bharat Forge and it expects the list to grow in the next few days. Such institutions will be allowed to admit double the number of students, allowed at regular institutions and will be able to start a single branch or a theme institute of their choice, according to the AICTE’s notification inviting applications to start new institutes for the 2013-14 academic year.

Mining Proposal near tiger reserve raises serious questions

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has posed this question to the T.N. Minerals Ltd. while considering a proposal for mining colour granite deposits at Koondankulam village in Ambasamudram taluk of Tirunelveli district. For the present, the MoEF has deferred a decision on the proposal for opening a new mine for production of 5000 cubic metres per annum of colour granite in an area of 22.50 hectares.

Clashes between Buddhists and Muslims of western Myanmar

Fresh clashes between Buddhists and Muslims break out in the volatile Rakhine region of western Myanmar. The unrest comes four months after the two communities turned on each other in a bloody fight across the Rakhine state in June 2012.

Surplus fund for PSEs

Faced with difficult government finances, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh urges 25 cash-rich public sector enterprises (PSEs) to invest their surplus fund of   2.5 lakh crore to reignite economic growth in the country.

Mobile – governance system for micro irrigation launched

The Commissionerate of Horticulture and Plantation crops has launched mobile-governance for remote monitoring of micro-irrigation systems in the fields. Besides, it would provide updates and developed farms, parks and gardens across the state. As part of the National Mission on Micro Irrigation, the commissionerate is implementing modern irrigation systems in the water stressed state at the village level for effective use of surface as well as groundwater resources using drip and sprinkler irrigation. Under this scheme farmers are provided subsidy.

Luxembourg Open Tennis

Venus Williams of USA wins the Luxembourg Open tennis tournament, beating Monica Niculescu of Romania in the final in Luxembourg.

Spanish elections

Spanish Prime Minister Mr. Mariano Rajoy’s right-leaning Popular Party retains power in elections in the region of Galicia.

Puducherry will setup country’s first open prison

Puducherry announces that it will set up the country’s first open prison. The prison will house those prisoners who have good behaviour and disciplined conduct during their jail-term.

NTCA for formation of fifth tiger reserve in state

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has suggested the formation of a fifth tiger reserve in the State by combining the Grrizzled Giant Squirrel Sanctuary in Srivilliputhur, the Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Varushanadu Valley in Theni District. The contignity of these sanctuaries, along with Kerala’s Periyar Tiger Reserve that adjoins the stretch and the increased tiger sighting in there protected areas have prompted the NTCA to suggest the fifth tiger reserve in the state. It has already granted in-principle approval to the Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary adjoining the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. It is only a formality before Sathya-mangalam becomes the fourth tiger reserve in the state.

Entertainment tax on DTH unconstitutional – court

The Madras High Court has held that the imposition of 30 per cent entertainment tax on Direct-to-Home services in the State is unconstitutional and directed the State govt. to exempt DTH services from entertainment tax. A Division Bench comprising justices Chitra Venkataraman and K. Raavichandra Baabu allowed batch of petitions challenging the levy imposed on DTH operators. The state government amended the provisions of Tamil Nadu Entertainments Tax Act. 1939 in 2011 and issued a notification on October 12, 2011 through the Commercial Taxes and Registration Department seeking to levy 30 per cent Entertainment Tax on DTH operators.

Govt. rolls out Arasu Cable TV’s services in Chennai

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa rolled out the state-run, multi-system operator Arasu Cable TV’s services in Chennai, in what was a signal of preparedness ahead of the impanding Oct. 31, deadline for the four metros to switch to digital transmission of cable TV signals. The multi-system operator (MSO), which was originally launched in Sept. last year, currently  has around 58 lakh subscribers in various parts of the state. For Chennai 100 free channels would be offered for   70 and additional pay channels can be chosen on payment.

Denmark Super Series badminton championship

India’s star shuttler Saina Nehwal wins the women’s singles title at the Denmark Super Series badminton championship, beating Juliance Schenk of Germany 21-17, 21-8 in the final in Odense, Denmark. The men’s singles title is clinched by World No.1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia, who defeats Du Pengyu of China 15-21, 21-12, 21-19 in the final.

Palestinian claims victory in local election

Palestinian President Mr. Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah Party claims victory in local elections held in the West Bank, in the first such vote since 2006.

Territory capital of Israel

Israel’s Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu vows to continue building in east Jerusalem, despite objections from Palestinians who claim the territory as the capital of their hoped-for state.

Filmmaker Yash Chopra passes away

Legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra, whose body of work includes such iconic films as Dhool Ka Phool, Waqt, Chandni, Lambe, etc., passes away at the age of 80.

Dealers can file audited reports in prescribed form from this year

The state govt. said the requirement that all registered dealers with an annual turnover of over   1 crore should file audited reports in the prescribed from will be applicable only from this financial year (2012-13). Filing of reports in Form ‘WW’ every year by all registered dealers, whose turnover crosses  one crore, including zero rate sole and inter-state sale, was made mandatory after the Tamil Nadu Value Added Tax Act was amended effective from August 30, 2010. Such reports should be filed by the registered dealers in the assessment circle concerned after getting the accounts audited by a Chartered Accountant or Cost Accountant.

544 stars forming galaxes observed

A study of 544 star-forming galaxies observed by the Keck and Hubble telescopes in Hawaii shows that disk galaxies like the Andromeda Galaxy or our own Milky Way unexpectedly reached their current state, as the Sun and solar system were being formed, long after much of the universe’s star formation had ceased.

Union Govt. launches a new Aadhaar-enabled service delivery system

The Union Government launches a new Aadhaar-enabled service delivery system at a meeting held at Dudu, Rajasthan. The new system aims to climate fraud, blackmarketing, pilferage in schemes and bribery through a reliable mechanism of direct cash transfer to beneficiaries in a transparent manner.

States asked to favour low-impact ecotourism in tiger reserves

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has asked the state govts. to develop state-level legislation to favour a community driven low impact ecotourism in place of wildlife tourism to maintain the integrity and connectivity of Tiger reserves. In its ‘Guidelines for tourism in and around tiger reserves’, the NTCA has categorically told the states that no new tourist infrastructure should be setup within the core/critical tiger habitat of the reserves in compliance with the Wildlife (protection) Act, 1972 and Supreme Court directives.

Removal of Madurai Adheanam head

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department has filed a petition in the principal sub-court, seeking the removal of Arunagirinatha Gurugnanasambanda Desikar, the senior head of Madurai Adheanam, for alleged violations of Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act. In a petition filed on behalf of the HR and CE commissioner, P. Dhanapal, it was stated that the math head had violated several provisions of the Act by forming a trust and selling lands without prior permission or sanction from the govt Arunagirinathar, the 292nd head of the math, had formed the Madurai Adhieanam Trust, with Nithyananda, who was appointed by him as the 293rd head, and got it registered on April 23, 2012.

Forest department takes over more marshland

Expanding its protective ring over the shrinking Pallikaranai marshland, the state govt. is bringing in more areas of the water body under the forest department’s control. A senior forest department official said two portions in the marshland, which were under the control of Chennai Corporation and the revenue department are being handed over to the forest department. The Corporation handed over a 170 ha area, located in the Thorappakkam – Pallavaram Radial road. The second portion measuring 125 ha of land held by the revenue department, is located on the Velachery-Pallikaranai Road, opposite the Alandur municipal dumpyard. Already, 317 ha of marsh area, which has been notified as ‘reserved land’, had been handed over to the forest department in 2007 by the revenue department.

British Company develops a way to create petrol from air and water

Engineers at Air  Fuel Synthesis, a British company in Teeside, Northern England, announce that they have developed a way to create petrol from air and water. The technology may one day contribute to large-scale production of green fuels. The technique involves extracting carbon dioxide from air and hydrogen from water, and combining them in a reactor with a catalyst to make methanol. The methanol is then converted into petrol.

Syria find way of stopping civil war

Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, the United Nations and Arab League envoy to Syria, begins the decline mission to find out a way of stopping the gory civil war in the country.

‘Guidelines of the Visakha case’

The Supreme Court makes it mandatory for all the States, UTs and the regulatory bodies to put in place a legal mechanism to implement the ‘guidelines of the Visakha case’, which require the employers at workplaces to observe and ensure prevention of sexual harassment of women.

Mini Tirupur town asunder dark

Crippled by acute power shortage, the usual hustle and bustle at Puthanatham town, the ‘mini Tirupur’ of Trichy district, is conspicously missing ahead of the festive season. The otherwise busy small town from where swanky retial shops in cities procure trendy readymade cotton shirts, Churidors, nighties and Children’s wear has fallen silent. With only five hours of power supply in the course of the day, production activities have come to a virtual standstill as wholesalers in readymade garments have resigned themselves to fate.

Southern Railway inducts first locomotive

The Southern Railway inducted into its fleet the first WAP-7 broad gauge electric locomotive. Built by the Chittaranjan Locomotive works, the advanced 6000 HP locomotive has a potential to conserve energy. The salient feature of the WAP-7 locomotive is its capacity to regenerate energy last while braking. When deplayed on down gradient sections, the locomotive would conserve energy to the tune of 30-35 per percent.

UN General Assembly elects the Republic of Korea and Luxembourg

The UN General Assembly elects the Republic of Korea and Luxembourg for a two-year term in the UN Security Council. The two countries join Argentina, Australia and Rwanda, who were elected earlier, to serve as the new non-permanent members of the UN body.

FARC peaceable in Norway

Colombia’s government and the leftist FARC rebels formally launch peace talks in Norway. The talks are aimed at ending nearly five decades of a bloody  conflict that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

Central Govt. clears proposals worth 8,000 crore for Invar missiles

The Central Government clears proposals worth   8,000 crore for procuring 10,000 Invar missiles from Russia for the Army’s T-90 tanks and over 200 air-launched versions of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile for the IAF.

EGoM on telecom decides one time fee on mobile operators

The Empowered Group of Ministers on telecom decides to impose a one-time fee on mobile operators holding spectrum beyond 6.2 MHz.

Japan to help in tiding over power crisis

The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) has come forward to help the state government that is grappling with power crisis by extending Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan of    3,572.73 crore for constructing and reinforcing the power transmission system in the state. An agreement to this effect was exchanged between the govts. of Japan and India on Sept. 28 JICA is committed to providing ODA loan package for four projects in India including that of Tamil Nadu Transmission System Improvement Project.

C.M. dedicates 1,141 godowns for farmers

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa opened 1,141 godowns constructed by the co-operation department at a cost of 97.20 crore enabling additional storage of about 1.30 lakh tonnes of agri-products. The cumulative storage capacity of the co-operative godowns in the state was eight lakh tonnes and the govt. had ordered constructions of 1,116 godowns in 29 districts with 100 tonne capacity, 16 godowns with 500 tonne capacity, seven with 1000 tonne and two godowns with 2,000 tonne capacity in 2011-12. All these godowns had been constructed with Rural Infrastructure Development Funds pushing the storage capacity upto 9.30 lakh tonnes.

Administration of Pachaiyappa’s Trust

The Madras High Court appointed T.N. Seshan, retired Chief election commissioner, as the interim administrator (IAS) of the Pachaiyappa’s Trust, with immediate effect. Passing orders on applications relating to the functioning of the management of the trust running under a new scheme framed by the court, the court said the IA would administer the trust until a new board of trustees took charge after conducting elections for the trust board.

India and Australia agree to initiate talks on nuclear agreement

India and Australia agree to initiate talks on a nuclear agreement that will facilitate the supply of uranium to India. The decision is reached during visiting Australian Prime Minister Ms. Julia Gillard’s talks with her Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. The two sides also sign four agreements, including one for student welfare.

Booker prize 2012

British author Ms. Hillary Mantel wins the Man Booker Prize for her historical novel Bring Up The Bodies. This is her second Booker award.

TNA meets Chinese officials

In an exercise aimed at reaching out to China, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which represents the majority of Sri Lankan Tamils in the country’s parliament, meets Chinese officials in Colombo to apprise them of the issues facing the Tamils in the northern and eastern parts of the country.

SAF pledges $1 million to UNESCO

The South Asia Foundation (SAF), a not-for-profit association that operates in India and the seven other community has decided to further the goals of women’s education and empowerment by pledging $1 million to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The contribution will be announced on Oct. 16 during a meeting of UNESCO’s Goodwill Ambassadors in Paris. The money was pledged trustee of the South Asia Foundation. Ms. Marquet will be travelling to Paris from the South of France to present the cheque.

New stringent sanctions imposed by EU

Even as new stringent sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) kick in, Iran defiantly assets that imposition of such sanctions will neither disrupt national unity nor slow down the country’s progress in science and military technology.

SC ban on tiger reserves

The Supreme Court lifts the ban on tourist activities in core areas of tiger reserves.

Vigorous debate, a GoM approve controversial Land Acquisition Bill

After three rounds of vigorous debate, a Group of Ministers approves the controversial Land Acquisition Bill. The Bill, now named “The Right to Fair Compensation, Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Bill” was first introduced in the Parliament in Sep. 2011.

Financial crisis hits magazine for Dalits

It is a magazine run by Dalits for Dalits, and has relantlessly worked towards promoting an understanding of their problems among other communities and striven to achieve a castless society. After completing 15 years, Dalit completing 15 years, Dalit Murasu, a manualy, is reeling under financial crisis and has missed its periodicity for months.

880 crore package for expanded areas

Infrastructure development in the expanded Chennai city is all set to gain momentum with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa unveiling a package for about   880 crore. This year, Chennai Corporation will develop a grid system of 280.83 km. roads with    366.23 crore. Word on the integrated grid system of roads will cover streetlights, footpaths, parking space and stormwater drains in the expanded limits of the Corporation. The grid system focusses on clearing traffic bottlenecks around major junctions in all the eight added zones. As part of improving solid waste management in the city, the Chennai Corporation will create   18.70 crore infrastructure for six new garbage transfer stations and   42.08 crore conservancy equipment in 2012-13.

Efforts on for world heritage status to Fort St. George

The Union Govt. will make efforts to get Fort. St. George in Chennai and Ranganathasamy Temple, Srirangam declared as World Heritage Monuments, Union Culture Minister Kumari Selja, told reporters. Kazhugumalai, Pulicat Lake near Chennai and Chettinad Palace were  the other sites that would be recommended by the Union Ministry to the UNESCO, Mr. Selja said, after visiting Swamimalai. The Union Minister sought the support of local authorities and people in getting the world heritage monument status for these places.

First woman to hold high level post in AUC

Ms. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma of South Africa assumes charge as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). She is the first-ever woman to hold the high-level post.

Asia’s longest running insurgencies

With the signing of a preliminary peace pact, Muslim rebels and the Philippines government overcome decades of bitter hostility and take the first tentative step toward ending one of Asia’s longest running insurgencies.

British-Scottish govt. sign a historic deal

The British and Scottish governments sign a historic deal that will allow Scotland to hold a referendum in 2014 on whether it wants to remain part of the United Kingdom or secede from the 300-year-old political union.

Pranay Sahay is appointed DG-CRPF

Senior IPS officer Mr. Pranay Sahay is appointed Director-General of CRPF, India’s largest paramlitary force.

NHRC report – one lakh bonded labourers

Taking note of the National Human Rights Commission reeport that 2,780 cases involving about one lakh bonded labourers have been registered, the Supreme Court orders a fresh survey by the States to find out the total number of such people still to be rescued from unscrupulous employers.

ATP Shanghai Masters Tennis

Novak Djokovic of Serbia wins the singles title at the ATP Shanghai Masters tennis championship, beating Andy Murray of Britain in the final in Shanghai, China. The doubles title is won by Leander Paes of India and Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic, who beat the Indian duo of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna in the final.

Venetian Macau Open golf Championship

Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar wins the title at the Venetian Macau Open golf championship in Macau, China.

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