Page 40 - Tamil Nadu

Clear Tamil Nadu-specific projects in Union Budget: Stalin urges Centre

Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday expressed hope that the Centre would fulfill the expectations of the people of the state by clearing Tamil Nadu-specific projects in the Union budget 2024-25. For the past three years, the Centre has "not released funds" for the Chennai Metro Rail (Phase 2) project, Stalin said and listed other proposals including the pending sanction for the Tambaram-Chengalpattu elevated expressway corridor. In a post on social media platform X, the chief minister highlighted the people's expectations from the Union Budget, saying that for about 10 years, middle-class families have been hoping that their income tax burden would be reduced and tax relief provided to them. Among the state's expectations, he listed the approval for Metro Rail projects in Coimbatore and Madurai, allocation of adequate funds for already announced railway projects in Tamil Nadu and increasing the expenditure limit under the Centre's rural and urban housing schemes (PM Awas Urban/Grami

TN power tariff hike: Oppn slams govt, demands withdrawal of revision

Tamil Nadu's main opposition, the AIADMK and the BJP on Tuesday slammed the state government over the latest power tariff hike announced on July 15, saying the people cannot be burdened due to the "administrative inefficiency" of the ruling DMK. AIADMK general secretary and Leader of the Opposition, Edappadi K Palaniswami, alleged that the tariff revision was a result of the DMK's "arrogance" following its clean sweep of the April 2024 Lok Sabha polls, where the party-led alliance had won all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu. Whenever DMK came to power in the state, power cuts and tariff increase were common, he alleged in a statement. "Due to the arrogance of winning all 39 seats and after the Vikravandi bypoll (which the DMK won), Chief Minister M K Stalin has gifted a five per cent power tariff revision to the people of Tamil Nadu," he said. The former chief minister pointed out that this was the third such revision effected after the DMK assumed power in 2021, and also referred to the ..

Amazon Web Services, Tamil Nadu hub join hands for AI startup programme

Programme will enable startups to collaborate with the industry to build public sector-focused solutions using generative AI

Sembcorp Industries sets ball rolling for Rs 36,000 crore TN project

TCMPL will design all the elements of the facility by providing highly specialised engineering services

Tamil Nadu emerges as GCC magnet, pharma major AstraZeneca leads the charge

Not just AstraZeneca, but Pfizer and Roche have also set up their centres in the state

Titan Company MD C K Venkataraman on his 'sparkling' journey with Tanishq

Venkataraman, who has steered Tanishq for nearly two decades, shares with Aneeka Chatterjee the joys and challenges of the journey

Brookfield announces strategic investment in TN-based Leap Green Energy

Brookfield and Leap Green recently entered into definitive strategic investment agreements pursuant to which Brookfield has acquired a majority controlling stake in the company

Centre to launch 125-plus fisheries projects in Tamil Nadu on Friday

In a major boost to the fisheries sector, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh is slated to inaugurate more than 125 projects at the Fisheries Summer Meet to be held in Madurai, Tamil Nadu on Friday, according to ministry officials. These initiatives, approved under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), represent a total investment exceeding Rs 100 crore. The ministry officials said the diverse array of initiatives includes fish retail kiosks, shrimp hatcheries, brood banks, ornamental fish units, biofloc units, fish feed mills, and fish value-added enterprises. PMMSY, a flagship programme of the Centre, aims to foster sustainable development in the fisheries sector. While details of specific financial assistance were not disclosed, the scheme is expected to significantly bolster local businesses and enhance the country's fisheries output. The event will also see Singh distribute grants to 12 winners of the inaugural Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge, organised by the ...

Sri Lankan Navy arrests 13 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu, seizes 3 boats

As per information received by the Rameswaram Fishermen Association, the fishermen belonged to the Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu

News updates: India has given Buddha to the world, not war, says PM to Indians in Austria

From Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Austria visit to Mumbai's hit-and-run case, and from Bihar's bridge collapse to bypolls in seven states, catch all the latest news updates here

SC adjourns hearing on ex-TN min Senthil Balaji's bail plea to July 12

The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned to July 12 the hearing on the bail plea of former Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested in a money laundering case by the Enforcement Directorate last year. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih deferred the matter after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought time. "List it day after tomorrow at the end of the list," the bench said. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Balaji, submitted that a number of adjournments have been taken by the ED in the matter. The top court had on April 1 sought a response from the ED on Balaji's bail plea while issuing notice to the agency. Dismissing Balaji's bail petition, the Madras High Court on February 28 said that it will send a wrong signal if he is let out on bail in a case of this nature and it will be against the larger public interest. It said the petitioner had suffered incarceration for more than eight months and it would therefore be more appropriate

Slain Tamil Nadu BSP President Armstrong laid to rest in Tiruvallur

Slain BSP Tamil Nadu president K Armstrong was laid to rest on Monday in neighbouring Tiruvallur district, hours after the Madras High Court rejected the family's plea to bury the body at the party office here. The burial was held at Pothur in Tiruvallur at the end of a nearly eight hour well-attended funeral procession from the city. Following the court order, the body was taken in a procession with police protection. Political leaders including VCK founder Thol Thirumavalavan were present during the burial. Armstrong, state president of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was killed by a group of armed assailants near his residence on Friday. BSP supremo and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati, who paid homage to her murdered party colleague here on Sunday, demanded a CBI probe into the killing to ensure justice for the family. The family of the deceased had knocked at the doors of the Madras HC with a plea to bury the mortal remains of Armstrong in the BSP office here, but t

Armstrong murder: Mayawati says real culprits not held, demands CBI probe

BSP supremo Mayawati on Sunday demanded a CBI probe into the death of her party's slain Tamil Nadu president K Armstrong, who was hacked to death here on Friday. She claimed those who have been arrested so far were not the real culprits and urged Chief Minister M K Stalin to refer the probe to the Central agency to ensure justice to the victim. Mayawati, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, paid homage to Armstrong here and placed a wreath before the body of the 52-year-old leader at a private school in Perambur in the city. Expressing anguish over Armstrong's death, she also said the way he was killed, by a group of assailants late in the evening, showed "there was nothing called law and order" in the state. CM Stalin must ensure justice for Armstrong and transfer the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation. "The way he was killed, shows there is nothing called law and order in Tamil Nadu. Those who have killed him, the real culprits have not been nabbed," she said. "The

Govt infra push steers steel demand to 221-275 mn tonnes by FY34: Report

With a sustained momentum of investment across different sectors, overall steel demand in India is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5 per cent to 7.3 per cent over the next decade leading to a steel demand of 221-275 million tonnes by FY 34 (under different scenarios), according to a report by Deloitte released on Friday. The report, released at ISA Steel InfraBuild Summit here, also said Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have established themselves as leaders in steel consumption, leading to 41 per cent of the total consumption in FY23. "Government spending on infrastructure projects will drive the initial growth phase in the next decade. The development of 11 industrial corridors comprising 32 projects, to be developed in four phases under the PM Gatishakti National Master Plan, will be a key driver for steel consumption," the report explained. From FY14 to FY24, India's finished steel consumption posted a CAGR of 5.67 per cent. In FY24, domestic finished

Hexaware sets up new office in Coimbatore to focus on data, testing skills

Global Information technology services and solutions provider Hexaware Technologies has strengthened its footprint in Tamil Nadu with the inauguration of a new office in Coimbatore. The facility would aid the company's existing Business Process Services division which is already operational in the industrial district. The new office would focus on data and testing skills in data modernisation, automation, cloud, software development, data compliance, gen AI among others. "With our expansion in Coimbatore, we are excited to enhance our operational capabilities and access the talented workforce in emerging cities. This initiative highlights our ongoing efforts to innovate and deliver quality service," Chief Operating Officer Vinod Chandran said in a company statement on Friday. The decision to strengthen presence in Coimbatore stems from the strategic and operational advantages. The city boasts of robust talent pool and availability of skilled professionals. Coimbatore is an educatio

Labour officials visit Foxconn TN plant, question executives about hiring

A Reuters investigation last week found Foxconn systematically excluded married women from assembly jobs at its main Indian plant on grounds they have more family responsibilities than others

Volkswagen launches first certified pre-owned store in Coimbatore

German automaker Volkswagen on Wednesday said it has launched its first brand store under its Certified Pre-Owned business segment here in Tamil Nadu. The company, in line with the brand's global transition has rebranded its used car business 'Das WeltAuto' to 'Volkswagen Certified Pre-Owned' cars. Witnessing more than 10 times of volume growth over the last five years, the auto major said the Pre-Owned vertical would continue to offer customers same high-quality, reliable vehicles backed by a comprehensive inspection processes and warranty coverage. Volkswagen India operates 139 touchpoints trading in certified pre-owned cars across the country, with 36 of these functioning as exclusive certified pre-owned outlets. Volkswagen plans to expand this footprint in a phased manner by March 2025, a company statement said here on Wednesday. The company's popular sedan 'Virtus' has been driving the sales volume and holds 30 per cent market share in the segment in Tamil Nadu. The strategi

NHRC notice to Centre, TN over 'discrimination' by Foxconn in jobs

The NHRC on Monday said it has issued notices to the Union Labour Ministry and the Tamil Nadu government over reports that a major manufacturer of electronic devices has allegedly "systematically excluded" married women from jobs at its assembly plant in Sriperumbudur. Issuing the notices, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has noted the fact that gender equality is not only required in the Indian Constitution but the international treaty and covenants, viz., International Covenant Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights also provide non-discrimination on the ground of gender in any form of employment. The NHRC has taken "suo motu cognisance of media reports that Foxconn, a major manufacturer of Apple devices has systematically excluded married women from job at its iPhone assembly plant in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu", it said. It is alleged by a former HR executive at Foxconn that "verbal directions" have been give

NHRC issues notice TN govt over gender discrimination in Foxconn hiring

NHRC has taken suo-motu cognizance of media reports that Foxconn, a major manufacturer of Apple devices, has systematically excluded married women from jobs at its iPhone assembly plant in Sriperu

TN first state to unmask NEET, nation now realises test fraudulent: DMK

The ruling DMK on Monday dubbed the NEET as an 'industry' created for the 'welfare' of coaching centres that rake in 'several lakh crores' and said Tamil Nadu was the first state to make this clear and major parties at the national level now raise their voice against the test. Pointing to the arrest of several people and searches by the CBI in connection with NEET-UG irregularities, DMK Tamil mouthpiece 'Murasoli,' said BJP's partner, JD(U) itself has passed a resolution over the irregularities. "India's major parties have started to raise their voice against NEET." The DMK is for a debate in both the Houses of Parliament over NEET irregularities and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has said that the issue should be deliberated. Days ago, in the state Assembly, Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare, Udhayanidhi Stalin spoke on the 'Dravidian Algorithm,' explaining that Tamil Nadu understood much ahead of other states whether 'NEET is good or bad.' Similarly, Tamil peop